Need help with university costs? IDC Bursaries 2027 are now open for South African students who want to study full‑time in critical skills that drive the country’s economy.
What is the IDC Bursary?
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) runs an External Bursary Scheme for the 2027 academic year. It pays for students studying in fields that support industrial growth, innovation and economic development. The bursary is only for full‑time study at a South African public university or university of technology.
Who can apply?
- South African citizen
- Unemployed
- Age 26 or younger
- Financial need (household income up to R350 000 per year; households earning R350 000–R600 000 may still be considered)
- Applying for a first undergraduate qualification (most postgraduate programmes are not funded, except selected Honours in law, accounting, actuarial science, mathematics or statistics)
- Enrolled or intending to enrol full‑time at a public university/UT
- Course must be on the approved IDC list (see sections below)
What does the bursary cover?
- Full tuition fees
- On‑campus or accredited off‑campus accommodation
- One‑off laptop allocation
- Meal allowance
- Transport allowance
These payments let you focus on your studies instead of worrying about money.
Approved fields of study
Finance, commerce and management
- Accounting (CA stream)
- Financial Management
- Internal Audit
- Cost & Management Accounting
- Investment Management
- Risk Management
- Transport or Logistics Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance Studies
- Economics & Econometrics
- Business Management
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Engineering
Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Metallurgy Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Quantity Surveying
Science and technology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Physics
- Biotechnology
- Geology
- Environmental Science
- BSc programmes (including Mathematics, Statistics)
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Information Science
- Information Technology
- BCom Information Systems
- Quantitative Risk Management
- Actuarial Science
Agriculture and law
- Agricultural Studies and related qualifications
- BCom Law, Commercial Law, LLB, Diploma in Law Studies
Academic requirements
- Matriculants need a minimum APS of 75 %.
- Tertiary students need at least a 65 % average in their most recent results.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 60 % throughout the study period.
Documents you must upload
All documents must be certified and no older than three months (except where noted).
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Proof of residence
- 2026 mid‑year results or latest academic results
- Matric certificate (if already completed)
- Grade 11 final results and June 2026 results (for current Matric learners)
- Parents/guardians’ certified ID copies
- Recent payslips (if employed) or three‑month bank statements
- Affidavit (if a parent/guardian is unemployed)
- Six‑month bank statements (if parents are self‑employed or unemployed)
- SASSA grant confirmation (if applicable)
- Death, divorce or separation documents (if relevant)
How to apply – step by step
- Visit the official IDC bursary portal: https://protected.idc.co.za/BursaryPortal/.
- Create an account and log in.
- Fill in the online application form. Double‑check your ID number, contact details, chosen qualification and university.
- Upload every required document. Make sure each file is clear and correctly labelled.
- Complete the interview questionnaire that appears at the end of the form.
- Review all entries carefully, then submit before the deadline.
Tips to improve your chances
- Verify that your exact qualification name appears on the IDC approved list before you start.
- Gather all certified documents in a single folder to avoid last‑minute scrambling.
- Keep your APS or average well above the minimum – a strong score stands out.
- If your household income is between R350 000 and R600 000, prepare a clear affordability assessment (payslips, bank statements, etc.).
- Highlight any disabilities, rural background, or attendance at Quintile 1–3 schools in the questionnaire – these are preferred criteria.
- Proofread your answers for spelling and accuracy. Small errors can cost you points.
- Submit early. Late applications are not accepted.
Preference criteria
The selection panel may give priority to applicants who:
- Live with a disability
- Attended Quintile 1, 2 or 3 public schools
- Come from rural or previously disadvantaged communities
- Show strong APS or university averages
- Demonstrate clear financial need
What the bursary does NOT cover
- Qualifications not listed on the IDC approved fields
- Second qualifications or most postgraduate programmes
- Studies at private colleges
- Part‑time study
- Universities that are not public or designated universities of technology
Contact for enquiries
For questions about the bursary, you can contact IDC directly:
Contact person: Noluthando Baepi
Tel: 011 269 3374
Email: noluthandob@idc.co.za
Email: ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za
Use these details only for bursary‑related queries and read the official page first.
Final thoughts
The IDC Bursaries 2027 offer real financial help for students in high‑demand fields such as engineering, finance, science, technology, agriculture and law. If you meet the eligibility criteria, gather your documents early, apply through the official portal before 30 September 2026, and keep your records tidy. This could be the step that makes full‑time study possible for you.