Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC)Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC)

Fully funded

IDC External Bursary Scheme 2027

Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), South Africa

Scholarship overview

The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), a state-owned development finance institution, runs an External Bursary Scheme for unemployed South African citizens with financial need who study, or intend to study, full-time. The 2027 call opened on Monday 1 June 2026 and closed on Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Only listed fields are funded: finance, management and related courses (accounting for CA, financial management, internal audit, investment and risk management, supply chain, economics, business management), STEM (engineering, actuarial science, data science, physics, biotechnology, mathematics and statistics, computer science and IT), and law (BCom Law, LLB, Diploma in Law Studies). Honours funding is limited to law, accounting (CA), actuarial science, and mathematics and statistics.

Award Information

  • South African citizen not older than 26.
  • Unemployed, studying towards a first qualification at undergraduate level; second and postgraduate qualifications are not funded, except honours in law, accounting (CA), actuarial science and mathematics or statistics.
  • Admitted to study at a South African public university or university of technology.
  • Household income up to R350 000 a year; applicants between R350 000 and R600 000 may be considered after an affordability assessment.
  • Matriculants: minimum 75% APS. Tertiary applicants: minimum 65% average in recent results and a 60% GPA maintained throughout study.
  • First preference to applicants from quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools, previously disadvantaged and rural areas, and to applicants living with a disability.
  • Full tuition fees.
  • University accommodation and university-accredited off-campus accommodation.
  • Once-off laptop.
  • Meal allowance.
  • Transport allowance.

2027 academic year: opened Monday 1 June 2026 and closed Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Official page: https://www.idc.co.za/bursaries/. Portal: protected.idc.co.za/BursaryPortal.

  1. Check that you meet the criteria and that your field is on the list.
  2. Gather the documents below; certified copies must be no older than 3 months.
  3. Apply online on the IDC Bursary Portal.
  4. Upload clear copies of all mandatory documents.
  5. Complete the online interview questionnaire.
  6. Successful applicants are notified by email.

Official links

Documents you will need

Applicant:

  • Certified South African ID
  • 2026 mid-year (first semester) results, or latest results if not studying this year
  • Matric certificate, if completed
  • 2026 matriculants: Grade 11 and June 2026 results

Parents or guardians:

  • Latest certified payslip(s) if employed, plus three months' bank statements for both parents
  • Affidavit of annual income if unemployed
  • Six months' bank statements if self-employed and unemployed
  • SASSA letter if grants are received
  • Death certificate(s) if a parent is deceased
  • Certified ID copies of both parents
  • Divorce certificate, or a sworn statement from one parent if separated
  • Certified proof of residence

How selection works

First preference goes to applicants from Quintile 1 to 3 public schools, previously disadvantaged communities and rural areas, and to applicants living with a disability. Academic minimums and household income are assessed, and applicants complete an online interview questionnaire.

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