The Motsepe Foundation 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary is now open for applications, giving eligible South African students an opportunity to receive financial and academic support for undergraduate studies.
The Foundation’s official website confirms that applications for the 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary are open. A current opportunity listing reports a 16 October 2026 application deadline, along with a minimum academic average above 70%, financial-need requirements and a range of supported study fields.
The bursary is particularly relevant to students pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, accounting and mathematics, with selected humanities fields also included.
Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027: What You Need to Know
The programme forms part of the Motsepe Foundation’s Higher Education work. The Foundation describes higher education as one of its programme areas and currently highlights the 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary on its website.
Available information indicates that successful students can receive support towards several university-related costs, including tuition, accommodation and learning materials, together with additional student support.
The exact terms of funding should be checked carefully during the application process because the bursary is subject to the Foundation’s eligibility and programme conditions.
Opportunity Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bursary | Motsepe Foundation 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary |
| Organisation | Motsepe Foundation |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Academic requirement | Average pass mark above 70% |
| Financial requirement | Evidence of financial need |
| Study fields | Science, Technology, Engineering, Accounting, Mathematics and selected Humanities |
| Reported deadline | 16 October 2026 |
| Application method | Online Student Portal |
| Coverage | Tuition, registration, accommodation, learning materials and additional student support |
The official Foundation website confirms that the 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary is open. The deadline and detailed funding information above are based on the current 2027 opportunity information available at the time of checking.
Who Can Apply?
The available 2027 bursary information states that applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance and financial need.
A reported academic threshold is an average pass mark above 70%, with Life Orientation and Home Language excluded from the calculation.
Applicants should also fall within the Foundation’s supported geographic areas and study an eligible qualification.
Because the Foundation’s programme has specific eligibility conditions, students should check the official application portal before submitting an application.
Which Fields of Study Are Supported?
The 2027 bursary focuses primarily on STEAM-related studies.
The available information identifies the following areas:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Accounting
- Mathematics
- Humanities — Music
- Humanities — LLB
Applicants should make sure that their intended qualification falls within one of the supported categories before applying.
What Does the Motsepe Foundation Bursary Cover?
The current 2027 information describes a broad package of financial and student support.
Reported coverage includes:
- Registration fees
- University tuition fees
- University-accredited accommodation
- Books and stationery
- Laptop
- Meal allowance
- Tutor allowance
- Mental wellness support
This means the bursary extends beyond tuition alone.
However, applicants should read the official programme terms carefully to understand how each component is provided and whether particular conditions apply.
Where Is the Bursary Available?
The 2027 programme is geographically targeted rather than automatically available to students from every municipality in South Africa.
The current opportunity information identifies supported areas across several provinces, including:
Limpopo
- Sekhukhune
- Capricorn
- Vhembe
- Mopani
Free State
- Thabo Mofutsanyana
- Mangaung
KwaZulu-Natal
- uMgungundlovu
- eThekwini
- King Cetshwayo
Eastern Cape
- OR Tambo
- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Buffalo City
Mpumalanga
- Bushbuckridge
- Mbombela
- Kwamhlanga
The available listing also identifies supported areas in North West. Applicants should confirm the complete geographic eligibility list on the official application portal before applying.
What Applicants Should Know Before Applying
The most important point is that meeting the academic threshold alone does not necessarily mean an applicant will receive funding.
The programme also considers financial need, field of study and geographic eligibility.
Applicants should therefore check all of the following before starting the application:
- Whether their area is supported
- Whether their qualification is eligible
- Whether their academic results meet the required standard
- Whether they can demonstrate financial need
- Whether they have the required supporting information
Students should also use the Foundation’s official application route rather than relying on social-media posts or third-party forms.
What Applicants Should Prepare
The exact supporting-document requirements should be checked on the official application portal.
Applicants should avoid assuming that every document commonly requested for bursaries is automatically required here.
Before starting the application, students should have accurate academic and personal information available and be prepared to provide evidence relevant to the Foundation’s eligibility criteria, including financial need where requested.
How to Apply
The available 2027 information states that applications are submitted online through the Motsepe Foundation Student Portal.
Applicants should:
- Access the official Motsepe Foundation bursary/application platform.
- Review the eligibility requirements.
- Confirm that their study field is supported.
- Check the geographic eligibility requirements.
- Complete the required pre-screening information.
- Provide the requested supporting information.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
The Foundation’s official website currently identifies the 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary as open.
Important Date
Application deadline: 16 October 2026
The current 2027 bursary information reports 16 October 2026 as the closing date.
Students who meet the requirements should avoid waiting until the final day, particularly because the application includes an eligibility/pre-screening process.
Why This Bursary May Be Worth Considering
The Motsepe Foundation bursary is notable because the reported support goes beyond university tuition.
The programme can include accommodation, learning materials, a laptop, meals, tutoring and mental wellness support, subject to the programme’s conditions.
Its focus on STEAM-related fields also makes it relevant to students considering technical and scientific careers.
However, applicants should first establish whether they meet the academic, financial, geographic and study-field requirements rather than assuming that the bursary is open to every South African university student.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 close?
The current opportunity information gives 16 October 2026 as the application deadline.
What academic average is required?
The reported requirement is an average pass mark above 70%, excluding Life Orientation and Home Language from the calculation.
What does the bursary cover?
Reported support includes registration, tuition, university-accredited accommodation, books and stationery, a laptop, meals, tutoring and mental wellness support.
Which fields of study are supported?
The programme supports Science, Technology, Engineering, Accounting and Mathematics, as well as selected Humanities fields including Music and LLB.
Is the bursary available to students throughout South Africa?
Not necessarily. The available information identifies specific supported districts and municipalities. Applicants should check the official geographic eligibility requirements before applying.
How do I apply?
Applications are reported to be submitted online through the Motsepe Foundation Student Portal.
Final Reminder
The Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 is now open, according to the Foundation’s official website.
The current opportunity information gives a 16 October 2026 deadline and reports a minimum academic average above 70%, financial-need criteria and support for selected STEAM and Humanities fields.
Before applying, check the official programme requirements carefully, particularly the supported geographic areas, eligible fields of study and application instructions.
Source: Motsepe Foundation official website, supplemented by current 2027 opportunity information.
Last checked: 4 October 2026.
Official Source
Motsepe Foundation official website — the Foundation currently identifies the 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary Applications as open.
Motsepe Foundation official website
The deadline, eligibility details and coverage should be cross-checked against the current application information before publication. The currently indexed 2027 opportunity information reports a 16 October 2026 deadline and the detailed requirements used above.
Last Checked Date
4 October 2026
Author/Updated Information
Written by: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Published: 4 October 2026
Updated: 4 October 2026
Information checked: 4 October 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.
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