The Sasol Foundation Bursary 2026 offers comprehensive undergraduate funding opportunities for eligible South African citizens pursuing full-time STEM degrees at approved public universities and universities of technology. Applications for the Foundation Programme open on 1 August 2026 and close on 23 August 2026. The programme prioritises fields linked to the green economy and digitalisation, including engineering, data science, information technology, environmental sciences and other STEM disciplines.
Background & Bursary Description
The Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme is designed to support talented young South Africans pursuing careers in areas where there is a growing need for specialised skills.
For the 2026 application cycle, the Foundation is offering undergraduate STEM bursaries to students planning to study full-time towards a degree in fields such as Engineering, Information Technology, Data Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences, Construction and Manufacturing, among others. Priority is given to qualifications aligned with future capabilities, particularly the Green Economy and Digitalisation.
The programme also provides non-STEM bursaries, but these are restricted to qualifying students from Sasol fence-line communities, children of Sasol Khanyisa shareholders and children of Sasol employees. Postgraduate bursaries are not available through the forthcoming academic year.
The Foundation Programme application window runs from 1 August to 23 August 2026.
Tasks
Students who receive the bursary are expected to pursue their approved degree programme on a full-time basis and meet the academic requirements of the programme.
The opportunity is intended to help students develop qualifications in areas that contribute to South Africa’s future skills requirements. Depending on the chosen programme, this can include disciplines related to:
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Data Science
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Sciences
- Medical Sciences
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Other STEM-related fields
The Sasol Mainstream programme also lists specialised engineering, science and technology fields including Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Chemistry, Geology and Data Science.
Applicants should carefully confirm that their specific degree is among the qualifications supported by the particular bursary programme before submitting an application.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
The Sasol Foundation Bursary is available only to South African citizens by birth who are or will be pursuing full-time degree studies at an approved public South African university or university of technology.
Applicants must also meet several screening requirements, including:
- South African citizenship by birth.
- Household income verification.
- Academic performance requirements.
- A combined household income of no more than R800,000 per year.
- Pursuing a first undergraduate degree.
- Meeting the applicable academic requirements for continuing university students.
- Being no older than 25 years at the time of application.
- For first-year applicants, having completed matric within the required period or currently completing matric in the relevant year.
Students already at university who are applying for their second, third or fourth year must have achieved an average of 60% across all modules.
Experience
No professional work experience is required because this is an undergraduate bursary opportunity.
However, applicants must demonstrate the required academic performance and provide the relevant academic documentation. The programme assesses applicants based on factors including academic performance, financial need and the applicable eligibility requirements.
Additional Information
The Sasol bursary programmes have different application periods, so applicants should ensure they apply during the correct window.
For the Sasol Foundation Bursary, applications open 1 August 2026 and close 23 August 2026 at midnight. The Sasol Technician Development Programme follows from 24 August to 11 September 2026, while Sasol Mining applications run from 24 August to 13 September 2026. The Graduate Development Programme opens later, from 14 September to 4 October 2026.
Applicants should also understand that Sasol’s different bursary programmes have different eligibility conditions. For example, Sasol Mining opportunities are specifically restricted to South African citizens from qualifying Sasol Mining fence-line communities, while the Foundation’s STEM bursaries have broader eligibility for qualifying South African citizens.
For certain Sasol programmes, students are required to study full-time at a recognised and approved South African university. Distance-learning institutions such as UNISA are not accepted for the bursaries described in the programme information. Dual, combined or hybrid degree programmes are also excluded.
Applicants must provide accurate information and the required documentation. The programme states that incorrect information or missing documentation can result in an application being considered invalid or a bursary being withdrawn.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the Sasol bursaries website. Applicants should complete the relevant application before the applicable closing date and ensure that all required information and supporting documents are provided.
Sasol Foundation Bursary 2026 Deadline: 23 August 2026
Prospective applicants should review the eligibility criteria carefully before applying, particularly the citizenship, household income, age, academic and degree requirements.
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