The Amazon Recruitment Bursary is open for eligible South African university students studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering and related technology fields. The bursary can cover capped study costs, includes a paid Amazon internship during summer vacation, and may lead to assessment for a full-time Software Development Engineer role after graduation.
Applications are open from 01 June to 30 September, and applicants must complete their submission through StudyTrust’s online platform to be considered for bursary funding for the 2027 academic year.
For students who want more than funding, this bursary stands out because it connects academic support with real software engineering exposure.
What Is The Amazon Recruitment Bursary?
The Amazon Recruitment Bursary was launched in 2018 by Amazon Development Centre for students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
The programme supports promising technology students who have a strong interest in software development engineering.
Successful applicants receive funding from Amazon to support their studies. They must also be committed to completing a paid Amazon internship during the summer vacation, where they may be assessed for a full-time permanent Software Development Engineer role after graduation.
What Does The Amazon Recruitment Bursary Cover?
The bursary covers several capped study-related costs.
Funding may include:
- Tuition
- Residence or private accommodation
- Subsistence
- Stationery and books
- A personal computer
- Transport
This makes the bursary especially valuable for students who need financial support while preparing for a serious career in software development.
Who Can Apply For The Amazon Recruitment Bursary?
StudyTrust, on behalf of Amazon, invites current undergraduate students in Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering to apply.
Applicants must be studying at South African universities and should be entering either their final year of a three-year degree in 2027 or the third year of a four-year degree in 2027.
Applicants should also intend to continue with an Honours degree in 2028 after completing the internship.
Which Fields Of Study Are Accepted?
The bursary is aimed mainly at students in technology and software-related degrees.
Eligible fields include:
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Machine Learning specialisations
- Artificial Intelligence specialisations
Students in other Science and Engineering degree programmes may also be considered if they have excellent coding skills.
What Are The Main Eligibility Requirements?
Applicants should check the requirements carefully before submitting.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be studying at a South African university
- Be in an eligible undergraduate technology-related field
- Maintain an average of 65% and above
- Plan to complete tertiary education at Honours level or NQF Level 8 by the end of 2027
- Be available to start full-time permanent employment with Amazon in January 2028, if offered a role after internship assessment
- Have a strong interest in software development engineering and Amazon
- Not be Master’s level students
The bursary is not open to Master’s level students.
What Is The Amazon SDE Internship?
Successful bursary recipients must complete a paid Amazon internship during the summer vacation.
During the internship, students get the chance to demonstrate their coding and technical skills while working on meaningful projects.
Amazon SDE interns write code, build real software and collaborate with experienced Software Development Engineers. The internship may include exposure to areas such as distributed systems, data mining, automation, optimisation, scalability and security.
This gives students a rare chance to move from theory into real-world software engineering work at global scale.
Can The Bursary Lead To Full-Time Employment?
Yes, it can lead to assessment for a full-time permanent Software Development Engineer role.
Amazon assesses interns during the internship, and successful interns may be offered a permanent role to start after completing their studies.
To qualify for 100% bursary funding, awarded candidates must be open to accepting full-time permanent employment for a period equal to the years of bursary funding received, if Amazon makes a job offer after the internship assessment.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Do not treat the personal statement like a normal motivation letter. Use it to show real coding ability: projects built, programming languages used, GitHub work, hackathons, coursework, problem-solving examples and why software development engineering fits your career direction.
How Can Students Apply?
Applications must be completed online through StudyTrust’s application platform.
Students must submit their application through the official Amazon Recruitment Bursary application page.
In the online application, applicants should use the “Personal Statement” section to explain their coding skills and experience clearly. Shortlisted candidates will go through an additional assessment with Amazon after submitting through StudyTrust.
When Do Applications Close?
Applications are open from 01 June to 30 September.
Students should apply early and give themselves enough time to prepare a strong personal statement, academic documents and supporting information.
What Should Applicants Prepare Before Applying?
Before starting the online application, applicants should prepare the details and documents that show their academic and technical readiness.
Useful items to prepare include:
- Updated CV
- Academic record
- Proof of South African citizenship
- University registration details
- Details of coding projects
- Programming languages and tools used
- Personal statement focused on software development
- Any supporting evidence of technical experience
A strong application should make it easy to see both academic performance and practical coding potential.
Why Is This Bursary Worth Serious Attention?
The Amazon Recruitment Bursary combines study funding, workplace exposure and a possible career pathway into software development engineering.
For students in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering and related fields, it offers more than financial support. It can also open the door to professional mentorship, technical growth and practical experience inside a global technology environment.
This makes it a standout opportunity for students who are serious about building a career in software engineering.
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Final Thoughts
The Amazon Recruitment Bursary 2027 is a powerful opportunity for eligible South African technology students who want funding and real software engineering exposure.
The bursary can cover capped study costs, includes a paid Amazon internship and may lead to consideration for a full-time Software Development Engineer role after graduation.
Students who meet the requirements should prepare early and apply online before 30 September.
