Agriculture

VKB Group Bursary Programme

VKB Group (administered in-house, contact: Ariska du Plessis)

VKB Group, a leading South African agricultural company established in 1919, offers bursaries to high-performing students studying full-time towards an approved undergraduate qualification at a recognised South African tertiary institution. The programme funds fields ranging from BSc Agriculture and Agricultural Economics to Chartered Accountancy, Data Science and Logistics, and includes required vacation work at a VKB regional head office with the prospect of full-time employment after graduation.

Amount
Tuition and study-related costs (value not published)
Deadline
To be announced
Renewable
Yes

Eligible Fields of Study

VKB Group (administered in-house, contact: Ariska du Plessis) supports students in the following disciplines

Agriculture (BSc Agriculture/Agronomy)
Agricultural Economics
Chartered Accountancy (BCom)
Forensic Accountancy
Economic Sciences
Industrial Psychology
Investment Management
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Information Systems / Information Technology / Data Science

Eligibility Requirements

  • ✓ South African citizen
  • ✓ In Grade 12/Matric or already completed Matric
  • ✓ Current Matric learners: minimum 70% overall average
  • ✓ Current tertiary students: minimum 60% average in major subjects
  • ✓ Proficient in both English and Afrikaans (spoken and written)
  • ✓ Studying full-time at a recognised South African tertiary institution in an approved field of study

What's Included

  • ✓ Bursary covers tuition and study-related costs for an accredited undergraduate qualification
  • ✓ Required vacation work at a VKB regional head office during your studies
  • ✓ Practical exposure to a leading South African agricultural group
  • ✓ Potential full-time employment within the VKB Group after graduation

Work Commitment

Bursars are required to complete vacation work at a VKB regional head office during their studies, and successful graduates may be offered full-time employment within the VKB Group.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your VKB Group (administered in-house, contact: Ariska du Plessis) bursary application

  1. 1

    Check the Bursaries tab on VKB's careers page (vkb.co.za/careers) or the SimplifyHR portal at https://vkb.simplify.hr/ for open bursary listings

  2. 2

    Search for the bursary vacancy matching your intended field of study (each field is posted as a separate bursary listing)

  3. 3

    Create or log in to your candidate profile

  4. 4

    Complete the online application form for that field of study

  5. 5

    Upload your certified ID, latest academic results and supporting documents

  6. 6

    Submit your application before the closing date (the 2026-intake round closed on 30 September 2025)

  7. 7

    Wait to be contacted - only shortlisted candidates are contacted, within 30 days of the closing date

Required Documents

  • 📄 Certified copy of South African ID
  • 📄 Certified Matric certificate (or latest Grade 12 results for current learners)
  • 📄 Latest academic record / university transcripts (for current tertiary students)
  • 📄 Proof of tertiary registration or acceptance
  • 📄 Up-to-date CV
  • 📄 Motivational letter explaining your interest in the chosen field and the VKB Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Which fields of study does the VKB Group Bursary cover?
VKB funds a range of approved fields including BSc Agriculture/Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Chartered Accountancy (BCom), Forensic Accountancy, Economic Sciences, Industrial Psychology, Investment Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Information Systems / Information Technology / Data Science.
What academic marks do I need to qualify?
Current Matric learners need a minimum 70% overall average, while current tertiary students need at least a 60% average in their major subjects. You must also be a South African citizen studying full-time at a recognised South African tertiary institution.
Do I have to be able to speak Afrikaans?
Yes. Applicants must be proficient in both English and Afrikaans, spoken and written, as VKB operates across regions where both languages are used.
When does the VKB bursary close and how do I apply?
For the 2026 intake the window ran from 1 August to 30 September 2025. As of 12 October 2026 VKB's careers page listed no open bursaries and no 2027-intake closing date had been published. Applications are made via VKB's SimplifyHR portal at vkb.simplify.hr, where each field of study is posted as a separate bursary vacancy. Late applications are not accepted, and only shortlisted candidates are contacted within 30 days of closing.

When do 2027 applications open?

VKB Group (administered in-house, contact: Ariska du Plessis) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.

The last recorded window closed on 30 September 2025. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with VKB Group (administered in-house, contact: Ariska du Plessis) before you rely on them.

VKB's last advertised bursary round, for the 2026 intake, ran from 1 August to 30 September 2025 on its SimplifyHR portal. As of 12 October 2026 the Bursaries tab on VKB's careers page showed no open bursaries, and no closing date for a 2027 intake had been published.

Check VKB Group (administered in-house, contact: Ariska du Plessis)'s official site

Need help? Contact VKB Group (administered in-house, contact: Ariska du Plessis):

Email: ariska.duplessis@vkb.co.za

Phone: +27 87 358 8565

Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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