Capitec Bank

About Capitec Bank

Capitec Bank is a South African retail bank with its head office in Stellenbosch. It opened its doors on 1 March 2001 and listed on the JSE in February 2002. Its founders included Michiel le Roux, Jannie Mouton and Riaan Stassen. The bank set out to offer simple, low-cost banking to people who were poorly served by traditional banks.

That idea worked. Capitec has grown into the country's largest bank by number of clients, with recent reports putting the figure above 25 million. Customers use branches, ATMs and a popular mobile app. As a result, the bank now employs a large number of people in technology, data, finance, risk and customer service.

How Capitec supports students

Capitec runs an external bursary programme to attract young talent into skills it needs. Published listings name actuarial science, computer science, information systems, information technology, digital marketing, economics, finance, mathematics, quantitative management and statistics. Some quantitative fields, such as data science and quantitative finance, may be handled through a separate quantitative bursary application.

The programme is aimed at full-time students working towards a bachelor's degree, an Honours degree or another qualification at NQF Level 7 or higher. According to the same listings, N4 to N6 programmes, higher certificates, diplomas, Master's and doctoral degrees are not covered. Students at TVET colleges, business schools and distance-learning institutions, including UNISA, are also not eligible.

Beyond money, a bursary at a large employer often brings work experience and a clear route into a graduate role. The bank also runs graduate and learning programmes. However, the details of benefits and any service period are not fully confirmed here, so read the bursary agreement closely.

What to know before applying

Applicants are generally expected to be South African citizens or permanent residents with a strong academic record. Past listings asked for an average of around 65% or higher. Proof of financial need, leadership and community involvement have also been mentioned. These requirements can change, so treat them as a guide only.

Capitec has advertised its bursary round ahead of the following academic year, although the timing is not fixed. Applications go through the bank's official careers or bursary portal. Dates differ each cycle, so check the Capitec website regularly.

Prepare your matric or latest university results, certified ID, a motivation and proof of registration or acceptance. For example, a second-year actuarial science student should also have a transcript ready. Finally, never pay anyone to submit an application for you, because the bank does not charge applicants. Stay alert to fake social media pages, and apply only through Capitec's own channels.