How to Find Bursaries for Any Field of Study

No matter what you want to study, there’s probably a bursary out there just for you. The trick is knowing where (and how) to look.

Whether you’re still in Matric, in college already, or planning a career change — let’s break down how to find bursaries that actually fit your field.

How to Find Bursaries for Any Field of Study

Where to Start – 6 Places to Find Bursaries by Field

1. Check Dedicated Bursary Websites

There are websites built just for finding bursaries in South Africa, often with search filters by field or category.

How to Find Bursaries for Any Field of Study

Top Sites:

✅ zabusaries.com

Use filters like:

Field of study (e.g., engineering, medicine, IT)
Province
Matric results
Financial need

How to Find Bursaries for Any Field of Study

2. Go Straight to Companies in Your Field

Most big companies fund bursaries for students studying in their industry. Think banks, hospitals, mining companies, tech firms, and retailers.

Examples:

Engineering: Eskom, Transnet, Sasol, Aurecon
Health/Medicine: Department of Health, MediClinic, Netcare
IT/Tech: Amazon, Vodacom, Telkom, Microsoft SA
Finance/Accounting: SAICA, Deloitte, PwC, Nedbank
Agriculture: AGRISETA, Sappi, AFGRI

Visit the “Careers” or “Bursary” page on company websites.

3. Search by Sector Using SETAs

There are 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in SA that fund bursaries, internships, and learnerships — all based on your field of study.

Popular SETAs by field:

CETA – Construction
CHIETA – Chemical Industries
MERSETA – Manufacturing & Engineering
FASSET – Finance & Accounting
MICT SETA – Media, Information & Communication
ETDP SETA – Education, Training & Development

Visit: www.dhet.gov.za or search “[Field] + SETA bursary 2025”.

4. University Financial Aid & Career Offices

Each university has a financial aid office that lists bursaries offered by both the school and external sponsors.

Ask about:

Field-specific bursaries (e.g., medicine bursary for 2nd-year MBChB students)
Academic merit awards
Departmental bursaries (from your faculty)

Email or visit the financial aid office early in the year!

5. Government Departments (Per Province)

Each provincial department often funds students in key areas like education, health, agriculture, or social work.

Examples:

Department of Health – bursaries for nursing and medicine
Department of Agriculture – bursaries for animal science, farming
Department of Transport – bursaries for logistics and civil engineering
Department of Education – Funza Lushaka (teaching)

Visit your provincial government’s website and search “bursary”.

6. Follow Social Media & Newsletters

Many bursary providers advertise on platforms like:

Facebook Pages (e.g. “Student Room”, “SA Bursaries 2025”)
LinkedIn company pages
Twitter/X announcements
Student WhatsApp groups

How to Search Smart: Keywords That Work

When you’re Googling, try keywords like:

Bursaries for [Your Course] 2025 South Africa
Fully funded bursaries for [e.g., IT students]
No Matric bursaries for [skill]
Learnerships or apprenticeships for [industry]
Seta bursaries for [career field]

Examples:

“Bursaries for psychology students in South Africa 2025”
“Chemical engineering bursaries with stipend”
“Fashion design bursary application form 2025”

How to Know If You Qualify

Always read the requirements. Most bursaries ask for:

Academic performance (e.g., 60%+ in key subjects)
Proof of financial need
South African citizenship
Studying full-time at a registered institution
Sometimes, commitment to work back after graduating

Top Fields That Often Get Bursaries

If you’re in one of these fields, your chances of finding funding are even higher:

Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical)
Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences
Teaching (Funza Lushaka)
Information Technology (IT, coding, software)
Law & Accounting
Agriculture
Environmental Sciences
Tourism & Hospitality
Renewable Energy
Artisan trades (plumbing, welding, motor mechanics)

FAQs – Finding Bursaries in South Africa

Q: Can I apply for more than one bursary?

Absolutely! You can apply for as many as you want. Just make sure you’re honest about it and follow each one’s rules.

Q: What if my field is niche (like dance or game design)?

Try:

Private colleges (like AFDA, Vega, etc.)
Arts & Culture bursaries from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
NGO or international funding bodies like UNESCO or British Council

Q: When should I start applying?

The earlier, the better! Many bursaries for 2025 open in March/April and close by September. Don’t wait until Matric results are out.

Q: Do I need to be in university to apply?

Nope! Many bursaries are for matric students planning to study next year. Some also support TVET College students and those doing short skills courses.