Sasol Foundation has opened its 2027 all-inclusive undergraduate bursary programme, giving academically strong students from financially constrained households access to funding for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics studies, alongside selected non-STEM qualifications. Applications close on 23 August 2026.
Applications opened on 1 August 2026, while the funding targets students who plan to study full-time at approved South African public universities and eligible Universities of Technology. Sasol will prioritise academically competitive candidates while also considering financial need.
The bursary can cover major study costs, including registration, tuition, accommodation, meals, books and pocket money. In addition, Sasol Foundation provides broader academic, personal-development and work-readiness support to funded students.
However, students considering postgraduate studies should note an important change: Sasol Foundation will not award postgraduate bursaries for the 2027 academic year.
Which study fields receive priority for 2027?
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics remain at the centre of the Sasol Foundation bursary programme.
For 2027, Sasol is placing particular emphasis on qualifications connected to future skills, including the green economy and digitalisation.
Priority study areas can include:
- Engineering
- Engineering Technology
- Information Technology
- Data Science
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Medical Sciences
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Other future-focused Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics disciplines
Engineering and science candidates may also find opportunities connected to Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, Computer Science, Statistics and Operations Research.
Because funding availability can differ by qualification, candidates should choose their intended field carefully when completing the online application.
Can students outside STEM fields receive a Sasol bursary?
Yes, but access to non-STEM bursaries is more restricted.
Sasol Foundation reserves these opportunities for qualifying candidates who fall within specific Sasol-linked groups, including:
- Children of Sasol employees.
- Children of Sasol Khanyisa or qualifying shareholder beneficiaries.
- Students from Sasol fence-line communities.
Selected non-STEM fields can include areas such as Accounting and Financial Sciences, although the number of opportunities is limited compared with STEM funding.
Therefore, students outside these qualifying groups should not assume that the general Foundation bursary supports every non-STEM degree.
Who can qualify for the Sasol Foundation Bursary?
The 2027 programme targets South African students who meet both academic and financial criteria.
Applicants should:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be 25 years old or younger when submitting their bursary application.
- Be pursuing their first undergraduate qualification.
- Intend to study full-time.
- Secure acceptance or provisional acceptance at an eligible institution.
- Meet the academic requirements for their chosen programme.
- Have a combined household income that does not exceed R800,000 per year.
Financial circumstances do not replace academic performance. Instead, Sasol uses both academic competitiveness and household financial need when selecting bursars.
What academic results do current university students need?
Students who have already started their undergraduate studies can also compete for 2027 funding, provided they remain within the eligible study period and programme.
Current university students seeking funding for their second, third or fourth year need an average of at least 60% across their modules.
Additionally, students must remain academically eligible to continue with their qualification.
Candidates should upload accurate academic records because Sasol uses academic performance during its screening and selection process.
Can current Grade 12 learners submit an application?
Yes. Current Grade 12 learners who plan to begin an eligible undergraduate programme in 2027 can submit an application during the current funding window.
Students who are completing Grade 12 in 2026 need to use their final Grade 11 results during the bursary application process.
Applicants who have already completed Grade 12 can use the relevant completed academic results, while students who have previously attended a higher education institution may need their latest academic records.
However, securing a bursary remains dependent on meeting the admission and funding requirements for the selected qualification.
What should engineering applicants know about Mathematics?
Strong Mathematics and Physical Sciences results remain particularly important for engineering applicants.
For Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science Engineering pathways, Sasol’s criteria place significant emphasis on performance in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English.
Furthermore, applicants should pay attention to the type of Mathematics they completed.
For the listed engineering and science bursary pathways, Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics do not satisfy the standard Mathematics requirement.
Therefore, engineering candidates should check the requirements attached to their exact degree before completing the bursary form.
What does the Sasol Foundation Bursary cover?
The Sasol Foundation bursary provides all-inclusive financial support, reducing several of the biggest costs students face at university.
Funding can include:
- Registration fees.
- Prescribed tuition fees.
- Examination fees where applicable.
- University accommodation support.
- Meal support.
- Book funding.
- Pocket money or personal-study allowances.
For students living in university-managed accommodation, relevant payments can go directly to the institution. Meanwhile, eligible allowances may go directly to the bursar according to the funding arrangements.
As a result, successful candidates receive more than assistance with tuition alone.
What extra support can Sasol bursars receive?
Financial assistance forms only one part of the programme.
Sasol Foundation also provides wrap-around support designed to improve academic achievement, personal development and work readiness.
That additional support can become particularly valuable for first-year students adjusting to university life.
Moreover, the broader programme aims to help bursars progress through their studies successfully rather than simply paying initial university costs.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Do not wait for your university registration to be finalised before checking eligibility. Provisional acceptance can satisfy the application requirement, while current Grade 12 learners can use their Grade 11 final results. Prepare your academic and household-income documents early so missing paperwork does not prevent you from completing the online submission.
Which documents should candidates prepare?
The exact document requirements can depend on whether the candidate is still in school or already studying at university.
However, applicants should prepare supporting information such as:
- A South African identity document.
- Latest academic results.
- A full academic transcript for current university students.
- University acceptance or provisional acceptance where required.
- Proof of residential address.
- Household-income supporting documents.
- Any additional documents requested by the online portal.
Candidates should make sure every uploaded document is readable and matches the information entered on the application form.
Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
Are postgraduate students funded in 2027?
No. Sasol Foundation postgraduate bursaries are not available for the 2027 academic year.
This particular funding round therefore focuses on undergraduate study.
Students should also avoid confusing the Sasol Foundation programme with other Sasol bursary schemes, because eligibility, funded qualifications and application periods can differ between programmes.
How does the selection process work?
Submitting an application does not automatically guarantee bursary funding.
Sasol screens candidates using factors such as:
- South African citizenship.
- Academic performance.
- Financial circumstances.
- University acceptance or provisional acceptance.
- Eligibility of the selected qualification.
Shortlisted candidates may then need to complete online interviews and psychometric assessments before Sasol makes final selections.
Applicants can expect final outcomes around the end of November once the selection stages have been completed.
How can candidates submit their applications?
Applications are completed online only.
Candidates should first gather their academic, personal and household-income documentation before creating or accessing their account.
Applications must be submitted through the official Sasol bursary portal.
After accessing the portal, candidates should select the relevant Sasol Foundation bursary option, complete all required information, upload supporting documents and review their submission carefully before finalising it.
Email applications will not be accepted. Applicants experiencing technical difficulties can contact the Sasol Bursary Application Helpline on 086 010 6235.
When do Sasol Foundation bursary applications close?
The 2027 Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme closes on 23 August 2026.
Because applications opened on 1 August, students have a relatively short window in which to gather documents and complete the online process.
Applicants should therefore avoid leaving academic records, income documentation or university admission evidence until the final day.
A technically submitted application can still encounter problems if important sections or documents are missing.
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Final Thoughts
The Sasol Foundation Bursaries 2027 offer comprehensive undergraduate support for academically promising South African students who may otherwise struggle to meet the cost of tertiary education.
Funding primarily targets Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics qualifications, particularly fields linked to digitalisation, the green economy and other future skills. Selected non-STEM funding is also available to qualifying candidates from specific Sasol-connected communities and groups.
Successful bursars can receive support for tuition, registration, accommodation, meals, books and personal-study expenses, together with additional academic and work-readiness support.
With applications closing on 23 August 2026, eligible students should prepare their academic and financial documents early and complete the online process before the funding window closes.
