The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) funds unemployed young South Africans through its External Bursary Programme. You can receive up to R50,000 toward a National Diploma or degree, or up to R70,000 for Honours or a Postgraduate Diploma, in any field. The listed closing date for the 2027 cycle is 30 January 2027.
About the SANAS External Bursary Programme
SANAS is the statutory body that accredits laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies in South Africa. It operates under the dtic and its work underpins quality testing across industries such as health, food and manufacturing.
The external bursary programme is managed in-house by the SANAS Human Resources Department. It is open to unemployed South African youth and is not limited to one field of study, which is unusual among bursaries.
The funding is for tuition fees only and is not renewable, so it suits students who need a contribution toward fees rather than a full package. Many students combine it with other funding.
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What Is Covered
- Up to R50,000 toward a National Diploma or degree
- Up to R70,000 toward Honours or a Postgraduate Diploma
- Tuition fees only; no funding for other study-related expenses
- The programme is not renewable
Who Can Apply
- South African citizen
- Completed Matric
- Unemployed
- Studying toward, or intending to study toward, a National Diploma, degree, Honours or Postgraduate Diploma
- Enrolled or intending to enrol at a recognised, accredited South African tertiary institution
- Meets the institution’s academic requirements
- Able to provide proof of household income showing financial need
Required Documents
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate
- Proof of household income
- Course outline for the intended qualification
- Proof of admission or registration at a recognised, accredited institution
How to Apply
- Download the application form using the link below.
- Complete the form in full.
- Gather your certified documents and proof of household income.
- Email the complete application to the SANAS address shown on the form, using the subject line “SANAS Bursary Application” with the correct year.
- Wait for SANAS Human Resources to contact you if you are successful.
Closing Date
The closing date for SANAS External Bursary Programme is 30 January 2027. No late applications will be accepted. The date is listed as approximate for the 2027 cycle and the form on the SANAS site still shows 2026, so confirm the exact date with SANAS Human Resources before you apply.
Why It Matters
Most bursaries target a few scarce-skills fields, which leaves students in education, humanities or business with few options. A bursary that is open to any qualification, and aimed at unemployed youth, fills a real gap.
R50,000 will not cover a whole degree, but it can cover a year of tuition at many institutions and keep you registered while you chase other funding. Incomplete applications are not considered, so send everything in one email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fields of study are funded?
The programme lists any field, as long as the qualification is a National Diploma, degree, Honours or Postgraduate Diploma.
Does it cover accommodation or books?
No. It covers tuition fees only.
Where do I send my application?
By email to the address shown on the application form. Confirm the 2027 address with SANAS Human Resources.
