Investec

About Investec

Investec is an international specialist bank and wealth manager. It started in Johannesburg in 1974 and now operates mainly in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Its South African head office is in Sandton, at 100 Grayston Drive. The group is known for private banking, investment services and wealth management.

Alongside its commercial work, Investec funds education. Few corporate providers support learners at both school and university level, but Investec does. Its funding is split into two programmes, a High School Bursary and a Tertiary Bursary, and each has its own rules.

How Investec supports students

The High School Bursary is aimed at learners in Grades 10 to 12 who attend township or rural schools. These learners show strong potential, but their schools may lack the resources to bring out their best results. Selection looks at financial need and academic ability. Applicants are expected to show excellent marks in Pure Mathematics, Physical Science, Accounting and English. Because the money supports school study, it does not carry any duty to work for the bank afterwards.

The Tertiary Bursary Programme works differently. Investec runs it with StudyTrust, an organisation that manages bursaries and student support. It funds young South Africans who want to study financial sector-related degrees at local universities. In addition, bursars benefit from mentoring and exposure to the workplace, which prepares them for a career in banking or finance.

What to know before applying

Both programmes are for South African citizens and both look at need as well as marks. For the tertiary route, recent calls asked for matric learners, gap-year students or first-year undergraduates. They also set a 60% overall average, 70% for Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) and 70% for English First Additional Language, or 65% for English Home Language.

Dates have been consistent in recent years. High School Bursary applications opened on 1 June and closed on 30 September, with no extensions for late forms. The tertiary deadline has also fallen on 30 September. However, details can shift from one cycle to the next, so confirm them on the official Investec page.

A learner who does well on the High School Bursary is in a good position to apply for the tertiary programme later. Even so, success in one does not guarantee the other. Each application is judged on its own merits. Prepare your school reports, proof of household income and identity documents early, and submit before the closing date.

Finally, remember that StudyTrust handles much of the application process for the tertiary bursary. Follow the instructions on the official pages exactly, upload clear copies of your documents and avoid last-minute submissions. Late forms are not considered.