South Africa has a persistent shortage of software developers, data scientists, and cybersecurity specialists, which is why tech companies, banks, and government agencies alike compete to fund Computer Science and IT students years before they graduate. This guide brings together every verified CS/IT bursary, scholarship, and learnership currently tracked on this site for the 2027/2028 intake.
South Africa's IT Skills Shortage Is Real - and It's Your Advantage
A Computer Science or IT qualification opens an unusually wide range of careers: software and application development, data science and machine learning, cybersecurity (one of the fastest-growing and most urgently short-staffed specialisations), network and systems administration, and ICT policy and infrastructure roles within government agencies like SITA. Telecoms (Vodacom), banking (Absa, Sanlam), and even mining and industrial companies all run their own IT bursary streams, because every modern business needs technology staff, not just tech companies themselves. Cybersecurity in particular deserves a specific mention: the Absa Cybersecurity Academy Scholarship below was built partly to bring people with visual impairment into the field, since much cybersecurity work is screen-reader-compatible and doesn't require the same physical demands as other technical careers - worth knowing if you assumed IT bursaries weren't accessible to you.
Before You Start Applying
A genuine alternative path worth knowing about: coding bootcamps and non-degree programmes (like WeThinkCode or Girlcode, both still being verified on this site) train working developers without a traditional university degree, often for free, and are increasingly well-regarded by employers who care more about your GitHub portfolio than your qualification. If a full CS degree feels financially out of reach, it's worth researching these routes directly rather than assuming a degree is the only way in.
Big Tech and Corporate IT Bursaries
From technology companies and telecoms building their own technical graduate pipeline.
Accenture Scholarship - For 2nd year+ students (not first-years) in a technology-aligned degree with a 65%+ average. Full registration, tuition, exam fees, a textbook allowance, a laptop allowance, and accommodation/meals for residence students.
Siemens Bursary - For 18-25 year-olds in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electronics, or Computer Science/IT with a 65%+ average, not already funded elsewhere. Full tuition, textbooks, accommodation/transport, and vacation work.
HP Inc. Bursary - For citizens in Computer Science or Engineering with a 65%+ average and financial need. Supports study-related costs for the qualification. Closes 30 September 2026.
Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary - For citizens in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or Software Engineering with household income R350,000-R600,000/year - the "missing middle" income band. Closes 30 September 2026.
Vodacom Bursary - For citizens in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering (Light Current), Electronics, or Information Systems, with a high academic bar (70%+ Matric exemption or 65%+ at tertiary level). Registration, tuition, accommodation, textbooks, meals, a laptop and cellphone, plus vacation work. Closes 31 August 2026.
TFG Fellowship Bursary - For a research or coursework Master's in Data Science or related fields. Tuition, living and meal allowances, equipment, and a Cape Town head office event. Closes 30 September 2026.
Investec Scholarship - For 2nd-year-through-Honours students in a technology-related degree, preference to Employment Equity candidates. Funds study-related costs. Closes 30 September 2026.
Motus Mobility Solutions Bursary - For 2nd-4th year students with a 70%+ average, not already funded elsewhere. Tuition and full/partial residence and textbooks. Closes 30 September 2026.
Mezzanine Bursary - For unemployed Western Cape residents entering first-year Computer Science, with a 65%+ Matric average and clean credit/criminal record. Tuition, accommodation, job shadowing, and networking.
Armscor Bursary - For citizens interested in a defence-industry career, studying Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or related fields. Tuition, textbooks, accommodation, meals, mentorship, and vacation work in defence R&D.
Huawei Seeds for the Future South Africa Programme - Highly exclusive (around 15 students/year), for top-performing ICT majors with a 70%+ average. Fully-funded trip to China with hands-on Huawei technology exposure.
Research, Government, and Space-Tech Funding
From government research bodies and agencies, including some of the more scientifically specialised funding on this site.
CSIR Bursary - For unemployed citizens under 35 in Computer Science, Data Science, IT, or related engineering fields. Registration, tuition, books, accommodation, a living allowance, and a laptop allowance. Closes 15 September 2026.
CSIR Sasol Foundation Bursary - For citizens studying an undergraduate priority field at a public university. Tuition, accommodation, a living allowance, a laptop, plus vacation work and mentorship at the CSIR. Closes 15 September 2026.
SARAO Postgraduate Scholarship - For students moving into Honours in Computer Science (among other fields), 65%+ average, open to several African nationalities beyond South Africa. R190,000 for Honours plus an optional R15,000 laptop grant.
SANSA Bursary - For Honours/Master's/Doctoral students in Earth Observation, Space Engineering, or Space Science with a 65%+ average. R150,000-R170,000/year depending on level, renewable annually. Closes 30 September 2026.
SITA Bursary - For citizens with a 70%+ Matric average studying an NQF Level 7 ICT qualification, no other bursary held simultaneously. Tuition, textbooks, accommodation, a meal allowance, and work-integrated learning.
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary - For unemployed citizens 26 or younger, household income up to R350,000/year prioritised (R350,000-R600,000 considered). Funds IT among several other fields. Closes 30 September 2026.
Department of Tourism Bursary - Funds full-time study in the Department's priority fields, which have included Computer Science, IT, and Software Development.
SANRAL Bursary - Includes Computer Science/Information Systems among its funded fields, for citizens under 35 with a 70%+ Matric average. Closes 30 September 2026.
Compensation Fund Bursary - For unemployed COID beneficiaries with a permanent disablement, or their dependants aged 17-35. Tuition, materials, accommodation, and a stipend.
Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) Bursary - For 15-35 year-olds studying an eligible field including Information Technology.
N3TC Bursary - For 3rd-year+ students in the nine named N3 corridor municipalities. Tuition and mandatory textbooks.
Banking, Fintech, and Cybersecurity Funding
From banks and financial institutions funding IT, data science, and cybersecurity specifically.
South African Reserve Bank Bursary and South African Reserve Bank Scholarship - The Bursary funds first-year study in Reserve Bank-relevant fields including IT; the Scholarship separately funds a data science/machine learning Master's for citizens under 35 with a 65%+ Honours average, described as a "full scholarship." Bursary closes 30 September 2026, Scholarship closes 31 October 2026.
Absa Cybersecurity Academy Scholarship - A fully-funded two-year cybersecurity training programme based on academic ability and need, specifically welcoming applicants with visual impairment. Tuition, specialised learning technology, accommodation, food, travel, and a monthly stipend. Closes 31 December 2026.
Absa Bank Bursary - Funds Computer Science and Data Science among its core fields, for strong students with good Maths marks. Tuition, textbooks, accommodation or a housing allowance, mentorship, and vacation work.
Absa CSI Trust Graduate Historical Debt Relief Programme - For STEM/Digital Economy graduates of UL, UNIVEN, TUT, MUT, or UNIZULU with outstanding debt, household income under R700,000/year. Clears historical debt plus YES employment support. Closes 31 March 2026.
Exness Fintech Scholarship - For UCT Master's students from under-resourced communities in a qualifying fintech-related field. Full tuition plus full or partial living expenses.
World Sports Betting Bursary - For recent ICT-related graduates with outstanding tuition fees blocking their certificate release. Settles the outstanding fees only.
ISACA Scholarship - For citizens 18+ in a technology-related qualification who identify as underrepresented in IT (race, gender, disability, veteran status, etc). A once-off US$1,000 plus a year of ISACA membership. Closes 3 November 2026.
Sasria Bursary - For citizens with a strong Pure Mathematics result studying IT among other quantitative fields.
FASSET Bursary - For citizens with 75%+ in Matric, household income up to R1 million/year. Up to R100,000/year. Closes 28 February 2026.
Sanlam Bursary - Runs an IT stream alongside its Actuarial Science stream. Tuition, accommodation, a book allowance, and pocket money.
UNISA BANKSETA Bursary - For UNISA distance-learning citizens under 35 including IT among its eligible fields.
BANKSETA/CPUT Bursary - For CPUT students in a qualifying finance or IT-related programme with genuine hardship. Closes 31 October 2026.
BANKSETA Kuyasa Learnership - A graduate-entry learnership requiring a Bachelor of IT in Business Systems, IT, Information Systems, or Informatics. Monthly stipend plus training provider costs covered.
Corporate and Industry Bursaries
From retailers, manufacturers, and mining/industrial companies funding IT alongside their other technical fields.
Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship - Funds Computer Science among its 1st/2nd-year eligible fields, preference to rural/township backgrounds. Closes 30 September 2026.
Sage Bursary - For previously disadvantaged citizens, household income R350,000-R600,000/year. Closes 30 September 2026.
AWS Skills Development Bursary and Amazon Bursary - Both require 65%+ in Matric Maths/English. Full-cost: tuition, stationery, books, a computer, accommodation, subsistence, and transport. Both close 30 September 2026.
Two Rivers Platinum Bursary, Tronox Bursary, and Southern Sphere Platinum Bursary - All include IT among their funded fields alongside core mining disciplines.
Mwelase Group of Companies Bursary - Includes technical/IT-adjacent fields, preference to Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete municipality residents.
PG Group Bursary - For African women aged 18-28, includes IT among its funded fields.
Probe IMT Bursary, Avemel Group Bursary (specifically funds IT-related fields for Durban-based work-back), and Pyrotec Bursaries - Each funds IT among other technical/commerce fields.
Mercedes-Benz Bursary, GrandWest Bursary, Cipla Bursary, Kuehne+Nagel Inzuzo Trust Bursary, FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary, Nestlé Future Talent Bursary, and Roche Bursary - All include IT/Computer Science among their broader field lists; see their individual pages for exact eligibility.
Capitec Bank Bursary and Hollywoodbets Bursary - Both fund IT-related fields among their broader approved lists.
East London IDZ Bursary - For Eastern Cape residents with strong Maths results securing a Maths/Science/Technology-related place. Up to R50,000/year toward fees, materials, and residence.
Vaal Central Water Bursary - For 18-25 year-olds with 60%+ in Maths/Physical Science, in a water/engineering/environment-related field, preference to fence-line communities. Full tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and a living allowance, with a two-year work-back obligation.
Diversity, Coding, and Community Scholarships
From trusts and programmes specifically working to widen who gets into tech.
STET Bursary - For Black female South African undergraduates in STEM fields (including CS/IT) intending to teach afterward.
Academy of Digital Arts Bursaries - The Fast Track Bursary funds a three-month course with a R11,400 stipend plus fully-funded tuition; longer Higher Certificate programmes have variable coverage.
Analyze Consulting Bursary - For Black citizens (B-BBEE) in 4th-year BBusSc Information Systems, BCom Honours Information Systems, or BEng Honours Industrial Engineering. Full fees, plus a paid post-graduation learnership. Closes 19 August 2026.
MAD Leadership Foundation Scholarship - For citizens with leadership potential in STEM (including CS/IT) or Commerce, genuine financial need.
SARS Scholarship - Funds Information Technology among its priority fields. Full tuition, a living allowance, and textbooks. Closes 30 September 2026.
Fundi Bursary - For citizens with strong academics in skills-shortage fields including Technology. Debt-free, unlike a Fundi student loan - coverage depends on the specific sponsor. Closes 30 November 2026.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Phambili Trust Bursary - For Black citizens 35 or younger in a STEM-related qualification (including CS/IT) from a financially disadvantaged background. Tuition and living costs for the academic year.
Didn't find the right fit? Browse the full bursaries and scholarships listing for every field, or read our guide on writing a CV for a bursary application before you start sending yours out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Computer Science degree specifically, or does IT/Informatics count too?
Most bursaries here accept Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or Informatics interchangeably, since they overlap heavily in South African university curricula - check each bursary's specific field list, but don't assume "Computer Science only" unless it's explicitly stated.
Is cybersecurity a realistic specialisation, or is it only for people who are already expert coders?
Cybersecurity draws on a broad skill set - networking, systems analysis, and policy as much as coding - and is one of the most urgently short-staffed IT specialisations in South Africa. The Absa Cybersecurity Academy Scholarship above is specifically structured to bring in people with visual impairment, showing the field is more accessible than "hacker" stereotypes suggest.
Should I do a coding bootcamp instead of a university degree?
Bootcamps like WeThinkCode and Girlcode (both still being verified on this site) train working developers faster and often for free, and many employers now care more about practical coding ability than a formal degree. It's a legitimate alternative if a full degree is out of reach financially, though a degree still opens doors bootcamps don't, like R&D or specialised research roles.
Why do so many non-tech companies (mining houses, retailers, banks) fund IT bursaries?
Every modern business runs on technology, so companies like Mercedes-Benz, Two Rivers Platinum, and GrandWest fund IT staff for their own internal systems and operations, not just customer-facing tech roles - it's the same skills shortage driving Vodacom or Accenture's bursaries, just for an internal rather than external tech team.