Applications Open: 1 June 2025

Closing Date: 30 September 2025

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is inviting unemployed, financially needy South African citizens to apply for the IDC External Bursary Scheme for the 2026 academic year.

Fields of Study Funded

Only the following undergraduate and select postgraduate fields will be considered:

Commerce and Finance

• Accounting (CA, CTA)

• Financial Management

• Internal Audit

• Cost and Management Accounting

• Investment Management

• Risk Management

• Transport or Logistics Management

• Supply Chain Management

• Entrepreneurship

• Finance Studies

• Economics / Econometrics

• Business Management

• Financial Accounting

• Financial Engineering

Engineering & Applied Sciences

• Industrial Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Electronic Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Mechatronic Engineering

• Mining Engineering

• Metallurgy Engineering

• Analytical Chemistry

• Civil / Construction / Quantity Surveying

• Geology

Science and Technology

• Physics

• Bachelor of Sciences

• Biotechnology

• Environmental Science

• Agricultural Studies

• Mathematics / Statistics

• Computer Science / Information Science

• BCom Information Systems

• Information Technology

• Quantitative Risk Management

• Actuarial Science / Data Science

Law

• BCom Law (Commercial Law)

• Bachelor of Law (LLB)

• Diploma in Law Studies

• Postgraduate in Law (Only if previously funded by IDC)

Note: Applications for fields not listed above will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the IDC bursary, applicants must:

• Be South African citizens aged 26 years or younger

• Be unemployed and applying for their first qualification

• Have matriculated from Quintile 1, 2, or 3 public schools, or come from previously disadvantaged or rural areas

• Have a combined household income of R350,000 per annum or less
  (Applications from households earning up to R600,000 p/a may be considered through an affordability assessment)

Academic Requirements

• Matriculants: Minimum 75% average

• Tertiary students: Minimum 65% average; must maintain 60% GPA throughout study

• Must be accepted into a South African public university or university of technology

Postgraduate funding will only be available for:

• Law

• Accounting (CA/CTA)

• Actuarial Science

• Mathematics & Statistics

Bursary Benefits

The IDC bursary provides full financial support, including:

• Full tuition fees

• University or accredited off-campus accommodation

• Meal allowance

• Transport allowance

• Laptop (once-off)

How to Apply

• Applications must be completed online

• Submit clear certified copies of all required supporting documents

• Complete the interview questionnaire

• Apply via the IDC website:
  www.idc.co.za → About IDC → Bursaries
  Or click here: Apply for the IDC Bursary

Contact Information

For queries, contact:
Noluthando Baepi – 011 269 3374
Email: noluthandob@idc.co.za
Or: ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za