Key Facts
- Status
- Applications Closed
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Application Closes
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Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen under 25
- Matric completed
- Full-time study, or plans to study, in a listed field
- Minimum overall average of 65% in your most recent exams
- Enrolled or accepted at an accredited South African institution
- Financial need
Documents Needed
The 2025 call asked for certified copies of your ID and your Matric certificate or latest academic record, plus your acceptance letter and your parents' or guardians' IDs. It also asked for proof of household income no older than three months. This could be payslips, an affidavit if unemployed, or proof of a pension or social grant.
About SABS Bursary
The SABS Bursary helped young South Africans pay for commerce, engineering, IT and science studies. The South African Bureau of Standards offered up to R150 000 a year in its most recent call. A published copy of the advert also named innobiz, the entrepreneurship centre at the Durban University of Technology, as a partner.
That call closed on 7 February 2025 and covered the 2025 academic year. We could not find an official advert for a later round, so this undergraduate bursary is closed for now. The terms below come from the 2025 advert, and SABS may change them in a future call.
Funding Details
The award covered registration fees, tuition, books and accommodation, up to a maximum of R150 000 a year. Costs above this limit would remain your responsibility, so compare it with your full fees and residence bill.
Successful candidates had to sign an agreement with SABS. The copy we read did not explain the terms or say whether the award includes work-back. Before you sign, ask four questions. Does the funding renew each year? What marks must you keep? Must you work for SABS afterwards? What must you repay if you leave your course?
Where You Can Study
The call did not limit applicants to one university. You needed an enrolment or acceptance at a recognised and accredited South African tertiary institution, for full-time study.
Apply to your institution early, because the 2025 call asked for an acceptance letter. A late university application could therefore delay your bursary application as well. Keep your letter ready as a clear, readable scan for the application.
About South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
About SABS The South African Bureau of Standards, or SABS, is the country's national standards body. It was first established under the Standards Act of 1945 and now operates under the Standards Act of 2008. Its head off…
View full provider profile →- Address
- 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria
- Phone
- 012 428 6666
Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
This bursary targeted South African citizens under 25 who could not afford university without help. Applicants needed a minimum overall average of 65% in their most recent Matric or tertiary exams.
The four fields were Commerce, Engineering, Information Technology or Computer Science, and Science. SABS preferred undergraduate students, and it also gave preference to students with disabilities and those covered by affirmative action policies.
These fields suit the work SABS does. Engineers and scientists test and certify products, while IT and commerce graduates support the systems behind that work. You can use this link in your motivation. For example, explain how your course could help to improve product safety or quality in South Africa.
Application Procedure
In 2025, applicants completed an online form and then emailed their documents to an SABS address. These details may change, so look for a new advert on the SABS website or email info@sabs.co.za. SABS said it would contact successful applicants within four weeks of closing.
Applications for this cycle have closed. Check the provider's site for the next intake.
- Closes
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Questions about this application?
Contact South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) directly:
Last verified:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SABS Bursary open now?
We could not find an open call. The last one we traced closed on 7 February 2025.
How much does the SABS Bursary pay?
The 2025 call paid up to R150 000 a year towards fees, books and accommodation.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. The 2025 call required applicants to be under 25.
