Paying for university can be difficult for South African students, particularly when the cost is not limited to tuition. Registration, accommodation, learning materials, food and other study-related expenses can quickly add to the financial pressure faced by students and their families.
The Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 is currently open and is aimed at undergraduate students pursuing selected Science, Technology, Engineering, Accounting, Mathematics and certain Humanities fields. The Foundation’s official website currently confirms that applications for its 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary are open.
Current 2027 opportunity information gives 16 October 2026 as the application closing date. Because the official bursary page should take priority if details change, applicants should verify the deadline and requirements immediately before submitting.
Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 at a glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Bursary | Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 |
| Programme | 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary |
| Provider | Motsepe Foundation |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Study fields | Science, Technology, Engineering, Accounting, Mathematics and selected Humanities fields |
| Academic requirement | Average above 70%, with Life Orientation and Home Language excluded according to current published criteria |
| Financial need | Required |
| Location | Selected areas in South Africa; applicants must verify geographic eligibility |
| Closing date | 16 October 2026 |
| Funding | Tuition, registration and several approved student-related costs, subject to programme conditions |
| Application method | Online |
| Status | OPEN |
| Official source | Motsepe Foundation Bursary page |
What Is the Motsepe Foundation Bursary?
The Motsepe Foundation Bursary is a higher-education funding opportunity offered by the Motsepe Foundation to support students who meet its academic, financial, study-field and other programme requirements.
For 2027, the Foundation is promoting a STEAM Undergraduate Bursary, covering selected areas within Science, Technology, Engineering, Accounting, Mathematics and certain Humanities programmes. The Foundation currently lists the opportunity as open on its official website.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to students who are planning to begin or continue undergraduate studies and need financial assistance to manage university costs.
However, students should not assume that the bursary is available for every degree or every applicant. The programme has specific eligibility conditions, including academic performance, financial need, supported fields and geographic considerations.
Who Can Apply?
The most important step before starting a Motsepe Foundation Bursary application is checking whether you meet the programme requirements.
Current 2027 information indicates that applicants must demonstrate academic performance above the stated threshold and financial need. There are also study-field and geographic requirements.
Academic requirements
The current published 2027 criteria indicate:
- An average pass mark of more than 70%.
- Life Orientation and Home Language are excluded from the average calculation.
- Applicants must intend to pursue an eligible undergraduate qualification.
- Students should check the Foundation’s current instructions for how the academic average must be calculated.
Meeting the academic threshold does not automatically mean that an applicant will receive funding. The Foundation also considers other eligibility requirements.
Citizenship requirements
Current information identifies the bursary as an opportunity for South African students. Applicants should confirm the precise citizenship documentation and eligibility conditions on the official application platform before submission.
Financial requirements
Financial need is an important part of the programme.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to provide information that allows the Foundation to assess their financial circumstances. This can include information about parents or legal guardians where required by the application.
Study requirements
The bursary is intended for undergraduate study in supported fields.
Applicants should confirm that their intended qualification falls within the Foundation’s eligible study areas before spending time completing the application.
Geographic requirements
The 2027 programme is not simply a blanket bursary for every student living anywhere in South Africa. Current opportunity information identifies particular districts and municipalities supported by the programme.
Applicants should therefore check the geographic eligibility list on the official application information before applying.
This is an important step that can easily be overlooked.
What Does the Motsepe Foundation Bursary Cover?
The 2027 bursary information currently associated with the programme lists several forms of support.
These include:
- Registration fees
- University tuition fees
- University-accredited accommodation
- Books and stationery
- A laptop
- Meal allowance
- Tutor allowance
- Mental wellness support
This is important because the real cost of attending university extends beyond tuition.
For example, a student who receives tuition assistance but still has no money for accommodation or study materials may continue to face significant financial pressure. The listed support therefore addresses several of the expenses that can affect a student’s ability to remain focused on their studies.
Important: Applicants should verify the exact terms, conditions and extent of each benefit on the official application platform. Do not assume that every listed benefit will be paid as a cash allowance or provided in exactly the same form to every successful applicant.
Fields of Study
The Motsepe Foundation’s 2027 programme is focused primarily on STEAM-related studies, with selected Humanities programmes also included.
Current information identifies the following areas:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Accounting
- Mathematics
- Music
- LLB/Law
Students should look beyond the broad subject category before applying.
For example, simply studying something that sounds technological does not necessarily mean the qualification automatically qualifies. The actual programme or qualification should be checked against the Foundation’s current eligible-field information.
This is especially important for students applying for interdisciplinary or newly introduced qualifications.
Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 Closing Date
The current closing date reported for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 is 16 October 2026.
Students should not wait until 16 October to begin their application.
A bursary application can require several documents, and applicants may discover at the last minute that they need to obtain a certified document, income information or another supporting record.
A better approach is to:
- Check your eligibility.
- Confirm that your qualification is supported.
- Check the geographic requirements.
- Gather your documents.
- Complete the online application carefully.
- Submit before the deadline.
- Keep your application confirmation.
The deadline should also be rechecked on the official Motsepe Foundation application page before submission in case the Foundation updates the application period.
Documents You May Need
Current 2027 opportunity information lists supporting documents including:
- Certified ID copies for the applicant
- Certified ID copies for parents or legal guardians
- Latest academic transcript or results
- Proof of income for parents or legal guardians
- A testimonial letter from a principal, religious leader or traditional leader
Applicants should use the official application instructions as the final checklist because document requirements can change.
Before uploading documents, check:
- Your names match your ID and academic records.
- Copies are clear and readable.
- Certification requirements have been followed where applicable.
- Academic results are current.
- Income documentation is complete.
- You have saved copies of everything submitted.
Do not upload random documents simply because they are commonly requested by other bursaries. The requirements for one bursary do not automatically apply to another.
How to Apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027
The application process is online.
Step 1: Check the official bursary page
Start with the Motsepe Foundation’s official bursary page rather than a third-party website.
OFFICIAL APPLYICATION LINK: Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027
Step 2: Read the 2027 requirements
Check the academic, financial, study-field and geographic requirements before beginning the application.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
Gather the required identification, academic, financial and testimonial documents.
Step 4: Complete the online application
Enter your personal, academic and other requested information accurately.
Take particular care with:
- ID numbers
- Contact details
- Academic results
- Qualification information
- Institution details
- Parent or guardian information
Step 5: Review your application
Before pressing submit, read through every section.
An application can be weakened by simple mistakes such as incorrect contact information, incomplete fields or missing attachments.
Step 6: Submit before 16 October 2026
Do not rely on the final few hours of the closing date.
Step 7: Keep proof of submission
Save your confirmation, reference number or other evidence that your application was successfully submitted.
ALSO APPLY FOR: Harmony Gold Bursary 2027
Important Things Applicants Should Check
A strong bursary application is not simply about having good marks.
Before submitting, check these five areas:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Academic average | You need to meet the published threshold |
| Study field | Only supported fields qualify |
| Financial need | The programme considers financial need |
| Geographic eligibility | Current information identifies supported areas |
| Documents | Missing or incorrect information can cause problems |
Also remember that bursary funding and university admission are separate processes.
Being eligible to apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary does not mean that a university has automatically accepted you into your chosen qualification. Students should continue managing their university applications and admission requirements separately.
How to Avoid Bursary Scams
Bursary scams often target students who are desperate for financial assistance.
The Motsepe Foundation has specifically warned applicants to remain alert to scams. Its official communication says applicants should not pay anyone claiming to guarantee or facilitate a bursary application.
Protect yourself by following these rules:
- Use the official Motsepe Foundation website.
- Do not pay someone who promises to secure funding.
- Do not share your banking PIN.
- Never provide an OTP to another person.
- Do not give anyone your email password.
- Be suspicious of WhatsApp messages promising guaranteed funding.
- Check that application information comes from an official source.
- Do not assume that a Facebook post or forwarded message is genuine.
A person cannot guarantee that you will receive the bursary in exchange for money.
If you are unsure about an application link, return to the Foundation’s official website rather than following a link sent by an unknown person.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 close?
The current 2027 opportunity information gives 16 October 2026 as the closing date. Applicants should verify the date on the official application platform before submitting.
What average do I need for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary?
Current 2027 information states that applicants need an average of more than 70%, with Life Orientation and Home Language excluded from the calculation.
What does the bursary cover?
The current programme information lists registration and tuition, university-accredited accommodation, books and stationery including a laptop, a meal allowance, tutor support and mental wellness support. Applicants should confirm the applicable terms on the official platform.
Which qualifications are funded?
The programme focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Accounting and Mathematics, with selected Humanities fields including Music and LLB also identified in the current 2027 information.
Official Source
The official provider is the Motsepe Foundation.
The Foundation currently lists the 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary Applications as open on its website.
Official bursary page:
Motsepe Foundation — Bursary
JobLaunch.co.za is not affiliated with the Motsepe Foundation unless otherwise explicitly stated. Applicants should always use the official source to confirm the latest requirements, application instructions and deadline.
Final Thoughts
The Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 is worth considering for South African undergraduate students who meet the academic and financial requirements and are pursuing one of the supported fields.
The most important points are the above-70% academic requirement, demonstrated financial need, eligible study fields and the programme’s geographic conditions. Current information places the closing date at 16 October 2026, while the Foundation’s own website confirms that applications are open.
Before applying, check the official bursary page, prepare your supporting documents and make sure your qualification and location meet the programme rules. Most importantly, do not pay anyone who claims they can guarantee your bursary application.
