BBD Software Development

About BBD

BBD is a South African software company that builds custom digital solutions for large clients. It says it has about 40 years of experience and teams in seven cities. Its South African head office stands at The Zone Boulevard in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and it also has an office in Cape Town. Its clients come mainly from banking, insurance and telecoms, where reliable software matters a great deal.

The company's main work is bespoke software engineering and support. That means its engineers design, write and maintain systems made for one client's needs instead of selling a single product to everyone. Over the years, BBD has become known for growing its own technical talent and for placing a lot of trust in young developers.

How BBD supports students

BBD runs a bursary programme for students who want a career in software development. The company calls it the Bursary and Beyond programme. It is open to South African citizens who study, or plan to study, information technology at a recognised South African university. Eligible degrees include computer science, software engineering, information technology and related fields such as game design, at levels from bachelor's to doctorate.

The entry bar is clear. BBD asks for a minimum average of 70% in matric or 65% at tertiary level. It also looks for a real passion for building software. Earlier reports on the programme describe full payment of tuition, a monthly stipend for living costs and an allowance for books. They also describe mentoring at the company's Advanced Technology Centre and an innovation-focused vacation programme in which bursars work on real projects. The current package may differ, so confirm it with BBD.

The programme links directly to work. Successful bursars can move into the BBD graduate programme and start as junior software engineers once they graduate. That path gives students a clear route from the lecture hall to a job.

What to know before applying

The application asks for a CV, a copy of your ID, your matric certificate, a university acceptance letter and your academic transcripts. If you have a GitHub profile, add the link, since it shows your code and your habits as a developer. BBD may also check your credit and criminal record and verify your education and employment history, so make sure everything you submit is accurate. Application windows change by year, and no current closing date is confirmed here. Visit the official BBD website to see which intake is open. Specific work-back terms are not stated on the public page, so ask about them before you accept an offer. Meanwhile, keep your marks high, and build small projects that show you can solve problems with code.