The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) has opened applications for its 2027 postgraduate bursary, aimed at South African students entering their first full-time, one-year Honours qualification in selected STEM and Psychology fields.
Applications opened on 28 September 2026, with a provisional closing date of 31 December 2026, according to the FREF bursary application platform.
The programme has specific academic, age, household-income, study-level and field-of-study requirements. Applicants must also study at an eligible South African public university.
Quick Summary
The FREF bursary is for students beginning their first full-time Honours qualification in 2027. Eligible fields include Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and BA Honours Arts (Psychology), among others.
The published funding information includes tuition, accommodation up to a stated R65,000 threshold, monthly travelling stipends, food vouchers and airtime vouchers. The programme also provides student support and development services.
Application closing date: 31 December 2026
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027: What You Need to Know
The bursary supports eligible students who are progressing from undergraduate study into their first postgraduate qualification.
According to the current application platform, applicants must be aged 18 to 35 on 31 December 2027, have at least 60% in NSC Mathematics, achieve an undergraduate average of at least 60%, and have a combined annual household income of R700,000 or below.
Mathematical Literacy does not satisfy the programme’s Mathematics requirement.
Bursary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Provider | FirstRand Empowerment Foundation |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Study level | First Honours degree |
| Duration | One year, full-time |
| Qualification | First postgraduate Honours qualification |
| Institution | Eligible South African public university |
| Fields | Selected STEM fields and BA Honours Arts (Psychology) |
| Minimum NSC Mathematics | 60% |
| Minimum undergraduate average | 60% |
| Age | 18–35 on 31 December 2027 |
| Household income | R700,000 or below |
| Accommodation | Up to R65,000 threshold |
| Application method | Online |
| Applications opened | 28 September 2026 |
| Closing date | 31 December 2026 |
Fields of Study Covered
The current FREF application platform lists the following approved fields for the 2027 bursary:
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Sciences
- BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
- Biosciences
- Climate Sciences
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Information Management
- Information Science
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Renewable Energy
- Risk
- Sciences
- Statistics
Psychology is specifically limited to BA Honours Arts (Psychology) in the current application information.
Applicants should therefore check the exact Honours programme against the approved field list rather than assuming that every postgraduate qualification within a broad subject area qualifies.
What Does the FREF Bursary Cover?
The published bursary information states that funding may contribute towards:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation, up to a R65,000 threshold
- Monthly travelling stipends
- Food vouchers
- Airtime vouchers
Students may also receive additional student support and development services.
The programme information describes these as components of the bursary support; applicants should review the final programme terms before assuming that every expense will be paid in every circumstance.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants need to satisfy the programme’s eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
The current FREF application platform states that applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be Black in accordance with the B-BBEE Act, defined in the programme information as African, Coloured or Indian (ACI).
- Be aged between 18 and 35 on 31 December 2027.
- Have completed Matric.
- Have achieved at least 60% in NSC Mathematics.
- Have taken Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy.
- Have a current or final undergraduate average of at least 60%.
- Be applying for their first full-time, one-year Honours qualification.
- Study in one of the approved fields.
- Study at an eligible South African public university.
- Meet the admission requirements for the intended Honours programme.
- Have a combined annual household income of R700,000 or below.
Meeting these criteria does not itself guarantee that an applicant will receive funding. The current FREF website states that complete applications are reviewed against the programme rules and the number of available bursary places.
Academic Requirements
Two academic thresholds are particularly important.
NSC Mathematics
Applicants must have achieved 60% or higher in NSC Mathematics.
The current application platform explicitly states that Mathematical Literacy does not meet the programme’s Mathematics requirement.
Undergraduate Average
The applicant’s complete academic record must show a current or final average of at least 60%.
Applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements of the public university and Honours programme they intend to enter.
Household Income Requirement
The current programme threshold is a combined annual household income of R700,000 or below. This is subject to verification.
The supplied application information requests supporting evidence of household income. Depending on the circumstances, this can include employment income documentation, affidavits, business financial records or SASSA documentation.
Applicants should use the documentation requirements on the application platform to determine which proof applies to their household.
Documents Required
The published application information identifies supporting documents including:
- Certified copy of South African ID, with certification not older than six months
- Certified Matric certificate
- Complete undergraduate academic record
- Provisional or final Honours acceptance letter, if available
- Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income
- ID numbers for the applicant and household members
- Disability documentation where applicable
Applicants with a disability are required to provide the specified EEA1 form and medical documentation.
Supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format, and the published requirements state that individual files must not exceed 5MB.
What Applicants Should Check Before Applying
There are several details worth checking before starting the application:
- Confirm your Honours field is on the approved 2027 list.
- Check your Mathematics result — the programme requires NSC Mathematics at 60% or higher.
- Check your undergraduate average against the 60% minimum.
- Confirm your age on 31 December 2027.
- Check your household income against the R700,000 annual limit.
- Confirm that your university is an eligible South African public university.
- Prepare your supporting documents in the required PDF format.
- Check your Honours admission status and provide an acceptance letter if available.
These checks can help applicants identify missing requirements before submitting their application.
How to Apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027
Applications are submitted online through the FREF bursary application platform operated with Feenix. The current application page provides the eligibility requirements and application route.
Step 1: Check the eligibility requirements
Review the age, Mathematics, undergraduate average, household-income, qualification and university requirements.
Step 2: Confirm your field
Make sure your intended Honours programme falls within one of the approved 2027 fields.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
Gather the required identification, academic, acceptance and household-income documentation.
Step 4: Upload your documents
The published requirements specify PDF uploads with individual documents limited to 5MB.
Step 5: Complete the online application
Provide the requested information and submit the application through the FREF application platform.
Official application route: FREF Postgraduate Bursary Application 2027
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Closing Date
Closing date: 31 December 2026
The FREF website currently describes this as a provisional closing date. Applications opened on 28 September 2026.
Applicants should submit their applications and supporting documents before the stated deadline and check the official application platform for any subsequent update.
What Happens After Applying?
The published programme information states that shortlisted candidates are expected to be contacted by the first week of January 2027. Applicants who do not receive feedback by that point are advised in the programme information to regard their applications as unsuccessful.
This is a stated programme timeline, not a guarantee that every eligible applicant will be contacted or funded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the FREF Bursary 2027?
The programme is for qualifying South African citizens aged 18–35 who are entering their first full-time, one-year Honours qualification in an approved field at an eligible public university and who meet the academic and household-income requirements.
What Mathematics mark is required?
Applicants need at least 60% in NSC Mathematics. Mathematical Literacy does not meet this requirement.
What undergraduate average is required?
The current application platform requires a 60% or higher average in the complete undergraduate academic record.
Does the bursary cover accommodation?
The published information states that accommodation may be funded up to a R65,000 threshold.
What is the household-income limit?
The current combined annual household-income threshold is R700,000 or below, subject to verification.
When does the application close?
The current FREF platform gives 31 December 2026 as the provisional closing date.
Final Reminder
Before submitting a FREF Bursary 2027 application, check the approved field of study, NSC Mathematics result, undergraduate average, age requirement, household-income threshold and public-university requirement.
Prepare the required documents in PDF format and submit the application through the official FREF/Feenix application platform before 31 December 2026.
The programme’s current information should be checked again before submission because the closing date is identified as provisional.
Official Source
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation — Official Bursary Application Platform
The current FREF application platform is the key source used here for the 2027 eligibility criteria, approved fields, age requirement, Mathematics threshold, undergraduate average and household-income limit.
Last Checked Date
30 September 2026
Author/Updated Information
Written by: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Published: 30 September 2026
Updated: 30 September 2026
Information checked: 30 September 2026
Mbalizuke Nkosi is the editorial voice behind YouthScope.co.za, a South African youth-focused platform dedicated to providing reliable information on opportunities, education, and career development. The platform serves students, graduates, job seekers, and young professionals by delivering accurate, timely, and easy-to-understand content.
Through informative and professionally curated content, YouthScope.co.za aims to equip young people with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their education and future careers.
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