Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme

Sasol, South Africa

Scholarship overview

The Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme is Sasol's performance-based bursary for full-time study towards engineering, science and technology degrees at South African public universities. It is open to South African citizens nationally and carries a work-back (pay-back) obligation. Only a limited number of bursaries is available each intake.

Undergraduate awards (B.Eng. and B.Sc.) cover Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Industrial, Mechanical, Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, Metallurgy and Data Science (Computer Science, Mathematics, Operations Research or Statistics). Chemistry, Geology and Metallurgy bursars must continue to Honours level. A separate University of Technology tab covers B.Eng. Tech. studies, including Mine Surveying, Civil, Chemical, Instrumentation and Control, Electrical (Heavy Current) and Mechanical. Postgraduate awards (M.Sc., M.Eng., PhD) are in engineering and chemistry research areas, and Cyber Security.

Applications are screened against the criteria, shortlisted candidates complete online psychometric tests and interviews, and bursars may enter the Sasol Graduate Development Programme after qualifying. Sasol also runs the Sasol Foundation bursary (a need-based programme with a household income cap) and the Sasol Mining Fence-line bursary for Mining communities through the same website.

Award Information

South African citizen with a valid ID document or card.
Registered for, or qualifying to register for, full-time study at an approved South African public university for the following year. UNISA and other distance study are not accepted; universities of technology are funded only for Mine Surveying and B.Eng. Tech. through the University of Technology tab.
Degree programmes only (no diplomas), in the fields offered for the intake; no dual, combined or hybrid degrees. Chemistry, Geology and Metallurgy studies must continue to Honours.
B.Eng./B.Sc. matric minimums: Mathematics 70-79% (Level 6), Physical Science 70-79% (Level 6), English Home or First Additional Language 60-69% (Level 5) or English Second Additional Language 50-59% (Level 4). Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.
B.Eng. Tech. matric minimums: Mathematics 60-69% (Level 5), Physical Science 60-69% (Level 5), and the same English levels.
Current Grade 12 learners apply with Grade 11 final results; others use their latest end-of-year results.
Current university students: at least 50% in all courses in the previous year for undergraduate and Honours applicants, and at least 65% for Master's/PhD applicants. Students in years 1 to 4 must use the previous year's results and be on track to finish within the minimum study period; students already on an extended period must not apply.
Studies must be completable within a maximum of five years.
One application per student.

Undergraduate

100% of prescribed tuition, registration and examination fees, paid directly to the university.
Accommodation allowance at the average single-room residence rate.
Meal allowance based on three meals per day.
About R12 000 per year for books and pocket money, paid to the student.
Payments are made twice a year, at the start of each semester.

Postgraduate

A monthly stipend for the duration of the studies covering registration, tuition, research costs, accommodation and all other expenses; no other costs are covered.
Access to Sasol technical mentors.

The bursary comes with a work-back (pay-back) obligation set out in the bursary contract. Bursaries are for the upcoming academic year only; nothing is paid for studies already completed.

Mainstream programme applications are currently closed; the next intake opens on the application site.
Sasol Foundation intake (separate programme) opened 1-23 August 2026.
Final outcomes of selection are communicated by the end of November.

Go to www.sasolbursaries.com, click Log In and then Register.
Enter your details, complete the CAPTCHA and create an account.
Activate the account from the email you receive, create a password and log in.
Choose the correct tab: Undergraduate (B.Eng./B.Sc.), University of Technology (B.Eng. Tech.) or Postgraduate.
Complete each section, clicking Save and Continue before leaving or moving on. You can log out and resume before the closing date, but submitted sections cannot be edited.
Read and accept the disclaimer, then submit once every section is complete. A response is sent by email.
Shortlisted candidates complete online psychometric tests and an online interview. Applications sent by email or incomplete applications are not considered. Applicants without internet access can call 086 010 6235.

Official links

Documents you will need

Valid South African ID (proof of citizenship).
Grade 11 or Grade 12 results for first-year applicants; the previous year's results for continuing students.
Full academic record from the start of studies (continuing students).
Proof of registration or acceptance.
Proof of permanent home residence showing municipality and district.

Successful applicants receive further documentation and a written bursary contract to complete.

How selection works

Screening of citizenship, registration or acceptance, and academic performance; the criteria are applied strictly.
Online psychometric testing and an online interview for shortlisted candidates.
Selection is competitive and based on academic performance and fit with Sasol's business needs.
First-year offers are conditional and activate only if the current-year results are approximately equal to those submitted.

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