Metacom Foundation Bursary 2027: Requirements, Funding and How to Apply

The Metacom Foundation Bursary 2027 offers an opportunity for qualifying South African female students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who want to pursue ICT and related bachelor’s degree studies in the Western Cape.

The programme supports eligible students at four participating universities and combines academic funding with mentorship and wellbeing support. The reported 2027 application closing date is 3 October 2026.

Important: Metacom’s official website currently displays information for its previous 2025 application cycle, while current 2027 listings report the 3 October 2026 deadline. Applicants should verify the 2027 deadline and application details directly with the Foundation before submitting.

Quick Overview

Information	Details
Organisation	Metacom Foundation
Opportunity	Bursary Programme 2027
Location	Western Cape, South Africa
Target group	Previously disadvantaged female students
Age	18–27 years
Citizenship	South African
Study level	Bachelor’s Degree
Study area	ICT and related fields
Universities	UCT, UWC, CPUT and Stellenbosch University
Funding	Tuition and other student support
Mentorship	Yes
Closing date	3 October 2026
Application method	Online application with supporting documents

What Is the Metacom Foundation Bursary?

The Metacom Foundation was established to empower previously disadvantaged women through education in Information and Communication Technology and related fields.

The Foundation says its programme goes beyond academic funding by providing mentorship, tutoring, personal guidance and emotional and wellbeing support. It also has a “big sister” mentorship initiative designed to connect students with previous participants.

Why This Opportunity Matters

ICT remains an important area of study for students interested in technology, software, engineering and digital careers.

What makes the Metacom Foundation programme particularly notable is that its support is not limited to tuition. The Foundation’s published programme information describes academic funding alongside mentorship and wellbeing support.

For eligible students, this can provide both financial assistance and additional guidance throughout their studies.

Universities Covered

The bursary supports eligible students at four universities in the Western Cape:

• University of Cape Town (UCT)
• University of the Western Cape (UWC)
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
• Stellenbosch University

These four institutions are specifically identified in the Foundation’s published eligibility information.

Fields of Study Covered

The bursary is aimed at Bachelor’s Degree studies in ICT or related fields.

Examples include:

• Information and Communication Technology
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Other related ICT disciplines

The Foundation describes its programme as being focused on ICT and related fields.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements, including:

• Be a South African citizen.
• Be female.
• Be between 18 and 27 years old.
• Be from a previously disadvantaged background.
• Reside in the Western Cape.
• Be currently in Matric or have completed Matric.
• Be studying or planning to study towards a Bachelor’s Degree in ICT or a related field.
• Study or plan to study at UCT, UWC, CPUT or Stellenbosch University.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Have a strong academic record.
• Demonstrate academic potential and ambition.

Who Should Not Apply?

The programme may not be suitable for applicants who do not meet its core eligibility requirements.

This includes applicants who:

• Are not South African citizens.
• Fall outside the stated 18–27 age range.
• Do not meet the programme’s female applicant requirement.
• Do not reside in the Western Cape.
• Are not pursuing ICT or a related field.
• Are studying or planning to study at an institution outside the four participating universities.
• Cannot demonstrate financial need or academic potential.

Applicants should check the latest official Foundation requirements before applying because programme conditions can change.

What Does the Metacom Foundation Bursary Cover?

The Foundation’s programme information states that successful students receive academic funding for the duration of their studies, alongside mentorship and emotional and wellbeing support.

The current 2027 bursary listings additionally report support that may include:

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Transport
• Essential living needs
• Mentorship
• Personal guidance
• Health and wellness support

Because the precise 2027 funding package should be confirmed with the Foundation, applicants should not assume that every listed expense is automatically guaranteed without checking the current programme terms.

Stipend / Financial Support

A specific monthly cash stipend is not confirmed in the available Foundation information.

Instead, the programme focuses on academic funding and broader student support. The Foundation’s published information states that successful applicants receive academic funding for the duration of their studies, together with mentorship and wellbeing support.

Duration

The programme provides academic funding for the duration of a student’s studies, subject to the Foundation’s rules and continued eligibility.

The 2026 application form also states that bursary continuation is subject to academic progress and Foundation rules.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Completed Metacom Foundation bursary application form
• Certified copy of ID
• Certified copy of Matric final results
• Most recent university transcript, where applicable
• Proof of parent or guardian household income
• Latest payslips, where applicable
• Affidavit if a parent or guardian is unemployed
• Proof of pension or social grant, where applicable
• Reference letter, if available — this is optional

Applicants should ensure that documents are clear and meet the certification requirements before uploading them.

How to Apply for Metacom Foundation Bursary 2027

Step 1: Check your eligibility.
Confirm your age, citizenship, gender, Western Cape residency, study field and university requirements.

Step 2: Download the application form.
Use the prescribed Metacom Foundation bursary application form.

Download the Metacom Foundation Bursary Application Form

Step 3: Complete the form.
Enter your information carefully and make sure it agrees with your supporting documents.

Step 4: Prepare your supporting documents.
Collect your ID, academic results, transcript and household-income documents.

Step 5: Complete the online application.
Submit the online application and upload the required supporting documents.

Step 6: Check your submission.
Make sure all compulsory documents have been uploaded before submitting.

Step 7: Prepare for possible selection interviews.
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview.

Metacom Foundation official programme page

Bursary Application Closing Date

The reported closing date for the Metacom Foundation Bursary 2027 is 3 October 2026.

However, there is an important verification issue: the Foundation’s official website currently displays the previous 2025 application cycle, not the 2027 deadline.

Youthscope recommendation: Applicants should verify that the online application and deadline are specifically for the 2027 intake before submitting.

Selection Process

Shortlisted applicants may be contacted and invited to attend an interview.

The Foundation’s programme information indicates that the application process includes an interview and that successful applicants receive academic funding together with mentorship and wellbeing support.

Applicants who do not receive feedback should consider their applications unsuccessful, according to the current 2027 bursary listing.

Important Before You Apply

1. Confirm the university.
The programme is limited to the four participating Western Cape universities.

2. Confirm your course.
Your qualification should be in ICT or a related field.

3. Check your documents.
Missing compulsory documents could affect your application.

4. Prepare financial information.
Household-income documentation is part of the application requirements.

5. Check the deadline carefully.
Current 2027 listings report 3 October 2026, but the official website currently shows the previous application cycle.

6. Apply early.
Do not wait until the final day to complete the online application and upload documents.

Official Source

The primary official source is the Metacom Foundation, which describes the programme’s mission, eligibility criteria, participating universities, academic funding, mentorship and wellbeing support.

Metacom Foundation

Official contact: foundation@metacom.net
Telephone: +27 21 531 9900

Verification date: 2 September 2026

Status: 2027 opportunity reported as open; closing date requires verification with the Foundation because the official website currently displays the previous application cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who qualifies for the Metacom Foundation Bursary?

The programme is aimed at South African female applicants aged 18–27 from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who reside in the Western Cape and meet the academic, financial and university requirements.

2. Which universities are covered?

The four participating universities are UCT, UWC, CPUT and Stellenbosch University.

3. What can I study with the bursary?

The programme focuses on ICT and related bachelor’s degree fields, including Computer Science and Electrical/Electronic Engineering.

4. Does the bursary cover tuition?

Yes. The Foundation states that successful applicants receive academic funding for the duration of their studies, subject to programme conditions.

5. Does the programme include mentorship?

Yes. The Foundation provides mentorship, including its “big sister” initiative, as well as personal guidance and wellbeing support.

6. What is the application closing date?

Current 2027 bursary listings report 3 October 2026. Because the official Foundation website currently displays the previous 2025 application cycle, applicants should verify the 2027 deadline before submitting.

7. Is a monthly stipend confirmed?

No specific monthly cash stipend is confirmed in the available official Foundation information. The programme instead describes academic funding and additional student support.

8. What happens after applying?

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview before final selection.

Related Opportunities

Youthscope readers can explore more 2027 bursaries, university funding opportunities, internships, graduate programmes and learnerships for South African students and young people.

Youthscope Verification

Opportunity: Metacom Foundation Bursary Programme 2027
Organisation: Metacom Foundation
Province: Western Cape
Study area: ICT and related fields
Target group: Previously disadvantaged female students
Reported closing date: 3 October 2026
Last checked: 2 September 2026
Status: Open according to current 2027 listings; deadline requires direct verification with Metacom.

Verification note: Youthscope checked the Foundation’s official programme information and current 2027 bursary listings. The Foundation’s website currently displays the previous 2025 application cycle, so the 2027 closing date should be independently confirmed before publication or application.

Editorial Information

Author: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Reviewer: Youthscope Editorial Team
Published: 2 September 2026
Updated: 2 September 2026