Who qualifies for the IDC External Bursary?

Unemployed South African citizens aged 26 or younger who can demonstrate financial need, are studying towards a first undergraduate qualification (or a listed honours degree) full-time at a public university or university of technology, and meet the academic minimums: 75% APS for matriculants, or a 65% average in the most recent results for current tertiary students. Preference is given to applicants living with a disability and students from Quintile 1-3 schools, previously disadvantaged communities and rural areas.

What does the IDC bursary cover?

It is a full-cost bursary covering tuition fees, university or accredited off-campus accommodation, a meal allowance, a transport allowance and a once-off laptop.

Which fields of study does the IDC fund?

Only the qualifications listed by the IDC: finance, management and commerce qualifications (such as Accounting (CA), Financial Management, Economics and Supply Chain Management), STEM fields (engineering, Computer Science, IT, Data Science, Actuarial Science, Mathematics and Statistics, and selected sciences), law (BCom Law, LLB and the Diploma in Law), and honours only in Law, Accounting (CTA), Actuarial Science, and Mathematics or Statistics. Applications for qualifications not on the list are not considered.

When do IDC External Bursary applications open and close?

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on Monday 1 June 2026 and closed on Wednesday 30 September 2026. The 2026 cycle used the same dates in 2025 (1 June to 30 September). Dates for the 2028 intake had not been announced as of 12 October 2026, so check idc.co.za/bursaries for the next window.

Does my household income affect my eligibility?

Yes. The scheme targets households with a combined parental income of up to R350,000 per year. Applicants from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 per year may also be considered, subject to an affordability assessment.

Finance & Banking

IDC External Bursary Scheme

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)

The IDC External Bursary Scheme is a comprehensive, full-cost bursary from the Industrial Development Corporation, a government-owned national development finance institution. It funds unemployed South African students with financial need who are studying full-time at public universities or universities of technology in finance and commerce, STEM, law and selected postgraduate qualifications. Preference is given to applicants living with a disability and students from previously disadvantaged communities, rural areas and Quintile 1-3 schools.

Amount: Full tuition plus accommodation, meals, transport and a once-off laptop
Deadline: Closed 30 September 2026
Renewable: Yes

2027 applications closed

Visit official site

Eligible Fields of Study

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) supports students in the following disciplines

Finance / Management / Commerce (e.g. Accounting (CA), Financial Management, Internal Audit, Economics, Econometrics, Investment and Risk Management, Supply Chain and Logistics Management, Entrepreneurship)

STEM (Engineering disciplines including Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Metallurgical and Mining; plus Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Actuarial Science, Mathematics/Statistics, Physics, Geology and Environmental Science)

Law (BCom Law, LLB and Diploma in Law)

Honours only in Law, Accounting (CTA), Actuarial Science, and Mathematics or Statistics

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen
✓ Not older than 26 years of age
✓ Unemployed with demonstrated financial need
✓ Studying towards a first, undergraduate qualification (second qualifications and other postgraduate studies are not funded; honours only in Law, Accounting CA, Actuarial Science and Mathematics & Statistics)
✓ Matriculants need a minimum of 75% APS; current tertiary students need at least a 65% average in their most recent results and must maintain a 60% GPA for the duration of study
✓ Combined parental household income up to R350,000 per year (households earning R350,000 to R600,000 per year may be considered after an affordability assessment)
✓ Admitted to study full-time at a South African public university or university of technology (private institutions are not covered)
✓ Preference is given to applicants living with a disability and students from Quintile 1-3 public schools, previously disadvantaged communities and rural areas

What's Included

✓ Full tuition fees
✓ University accommodation and accredited off-campus accommodation
✓ Once-off laptop
✓ Meal allowance
✓ Transport allowance

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) bursary application

1
Read the current criteria and dates on the IDC bursaries page (idc.co.za/bursaries)
2
Register and create a profile on the IDC Bursary Portal (protected.idc.co.za/BursaryPortal), linked from the bursaries page as 'Apply now'
3
Complete the online External Bursary application form and the interview questionnaire
4
Upload clear copies of all compulsory documents (certifications must not be older than 3 months)
5
Submit before the closing date (the 2027 window closed on 30 September 2026)
6
Successful applicants are notified by email

Required Documents

📄 Recently certified copy of your South African ID (not older than 3 months)
📄 Latest results: 2026 mid-year (first semester) results, or Grade 11 and June 2026 results for 2026 matriculants
📄 Matric certificate if you have completed matric
📄 Proof of parents'/guardians' household income (latest payslips and 3 months' bank statements if employed; an affidavit stating annual income if unemployed; 6 months' bank statements if self-employed; SASSA letter if applicable)
📄 Recently certified copies of both parents' IDs
📄 Parents' death certificates, or a divorce certificate/sworn statement, where applicable
📄 Recently certified proof of residence

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for the IDC External Bursary?: Unemployed South African citizens aged 26 or younger who can demonstrate financial need, are studying towards a first undergraduate qualification (or a listed honours degree) full-time at a public university or university of technology, and meet the academic minimums: 75% APS for matriculants, or a 65% average in the most recent results for current tertiary students. Preference is given to applicants living with a disability and students from Quintile 1-3 schools, previously disadvantaged communities and rural areas.
What does the IDC bursary cover?: It is a full-cost bursary covering tuition fees, university or accredited off-campus accommodation, a meal allowance, a transport allowance and a once-off laptop.
Which fields of study does the IDC fund?: Only the qualifications listed by the IDC: finance, management and commerce qualifications (such as Accounting (CA), Financial Management, Economics and Supply Chain Management), STEM fields (engineering, Computer Science, IT, Data Science, Actuarial Science, Mathematics and Statistics, and selected sciences), law (BCom Law, LLB and the Diploma in Law), and honours only in Law, Accounting (CTA), Actuarial Science, and Mathematics or Statistics. Applications for qualifications not on the list are not considered.
When do IDC External Bursary applications open and close?: Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on Monday 1 June 2026 and closed on Wednesday 30 September 2026. The 2026 cycle used the same dates in 2025 (1 June to 30 September). Dates for the 2028 intake had not been announced as of 12 October 2026, so check idc.co.za/bursaries for the next window.
Does my household income affect my eligibility?: Yes. The scheme targets households with a combined parental income of up to R350,000 per year. Applicants from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 per year may also be considered, subject to an affordability assessment.

2027 applications have closed

The 2027 application window closed on 30 September 2026.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on Monday 1 June 2026 and closed on Wednesday 30 September 2026, the same 1 June to 30 September window the IDC used for the 2026 intake. Dates for the 2028 intake had not been announced as of 12 October 2026.

Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.

Check Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)'s official site

Need help? Contact Industrial Development Corporation (IDC):

Email: ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za

Phone: 011 269 3374

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

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