Time is short – the Amazon Recruitment Bursary opens on 1 June and closes on 30 September, so you need to act now if you want funding and a chance to work at Amazon.
What is the Amazon Recruitment Bursary?
The Amazon Recruitment Bursary was started in 2018 by the Amazon Development Centre. It supports South African students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who study technology. Winners receive financial help for their studies and must complete a paid summer internship with Amazon. After the internship, they may be assessed for a permanent Software Development Engineer role.
Who can apply?
You must be a South African citizen studying at a South African university. The bursary is for undergraduate students who will be in their final year of a three‑year degree or the third year of a four‑year degree in 2027. You should also plan to enrol in an Honours programme in 2028. The accepted fields are:
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Machine‑Learning specialisations
- Artificial‑Intelligence specialisations
Other Science or Engineering degrees may be considered if you have strong coding skills. You must have at least a 65 % average and be willing to start full‑time work with Amazon in January 2028 if offered a role. Master’s students are not eligible.
What you gain
The bursary covers capped study costs, including:
- Tuition fees
- Residence or private accommodation
- Living expenses
- Stationery and textbooks
- A personal computer
- Transport costs
In addition, you receive a paid Amazon Software Development Engineer (SDE) internship during the summer holidays. The internship lets you write code, build real systems and work with experienced engineers. Successful interns can be offered a permanent full‑time position after graduation.
How to apply – step by step
- Gather the required documents: updated CV, academic transcript, proof of citizenship, university enrolment proof, and a personal statement that focuses on your coding experience.
- Visit the official application page: Amazon Recruitment Bursary application page.
- Create an account on the StudyTrust platform and fill in all sections of the online form.
- In the “Personal Statement” field, describe the projects you have built, languages you use, GitHub work, hackathons, and why software development is your career goal.
- Upload your supporting documents and submit the application before 30 September.
- If shortlisted, you will be invited to complete an additional assessment with Amazon.
Tips to improve your chances
- Show concrete coding examples – link to a public GitHub repository or attach screenshots of projects.
- Highlight any teamwork or problem‑solving experience from hackathons or class assignments.
- Keep your personal statement clear and focused; avoid generic motivation letters.
- Proofread all documents to avoid spelling or formatting errors.
- Apply early to give yourself time to refine your statement and gather references.
Next steps
If you meet the criteria, start preparing your documents now. Reach out to your university’s career services for feedback on your personal statement. Remember, the deadline is 30 September – the sooner you submit, the better your chance to secure both financial support and a pathway into a software engineering career at Amazon.