The South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP) has opened its 2027 Bursary for young South Africans who dream of becoming actuaries. This is a full-cost bursary that covers tuition, residence, meals, a living allowance and textbooks, plus mentorship and academic support. It is aimed at students with very strong Mathematics marks who want to study Actuarial Science full-time. If you have a passion for numbers and the results to match, applications close on 30 September 2026.
About the Programme
The South African Actuaries Development Programme was created to address a serious shortage of actuarial skills in South Africa, with a particular focus on developing young Black students who have the potential and the interest to qualify as actuaries. Actuaries are highly trained professionals who use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to measure and manage risk for insurers, banks, pension funds and government. It is one of the best-paid and most respected careers in the country, but the path is demanding and the degree is tough.
SAADP supports its students not only with money but with mentorship, life-skills workshops, tutorials and social support, because the programme knows that funding alone is not enough to get a student through an Actuarial Science degree. The bursary is supported through donor and industry partnerships and is linked to university actuarial pathways, including Wits. Continued funding depends on maintaining good academic progress each year.
What Is Covered
- Tuition fees
- Residence (accommodation)
- Meals
- A living allowance
- Textbook fees
- Academic and social support, including mentorship, life-skills workshops and tutorials
Who Can Apply
- You must be a South African national
- You must intend to study, or already be studying, Actuarial Science full-time
- Grade 12 applicants must have a genuine passion for Actuarial Science and meet the minimum university entry requirements
- Grade 12 applicants should have Level 7 (80%) in pure Mathematics, Physical Science and English First Additional Language, or at least 70% in English Home Language
- Grade 12 applicants must have good Grade 11 final results and good Grade 12 June results
- University applicants must have a strong academic record in their first, second or third year of study
- Students from other universities may apply if they have applied to and been accepted by Wits for Actuarial Science
- Applicants with Mathematics Literacy instead of pure Mathematics do not qualify
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Required Documents
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Your latest academic results (Grade 11 final, Grade 12 June, or university results)
- Your university application or acceptance details
- Proof of household income
- Any additional supporting documents requested on the SAADP online application portal
Grade 12 learners are strongly advised to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) and should plan for this step early.
How to Apply
- Open the SAADP online application portal using the link below.
- Register or log in and complete the application form.
- Prepare and upload the supporting documents requested in the portal.
- Grade 12 applicants should arrange to write the National Benchmark Test as recommended.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
Closing Date
The closing date for the SAADP Bursary Programme 2027 is 30 September 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
Actuarial Science is one of the highest-earning professions in South Africa, yet very few students from disadvantaged backgrounds ever get the chance to study it, mostly because of cost and a lack of support through a difficult degree. The SAADP Bursary was built to change that. It does not just pay your fees. It surrounds you with tutors, mentors and life-skills support so that talented young people with strong Mathematics marks can actually finish the qualification and qualify as actuaries.
For a young South African with the right results, this bursary can be the difference between an unused talent and a professional career that lifts an entire family. If mathematics is your strength, this is an opportunity worth fighting for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need work experience to apply?
No. This bursary is for school leavers and current university students who want to study Actuarial Science. No work experience is required.
Can I apply with Mathematics Literacy?
No. You must have pure Mathematics. Strong pure Maths marks are essential because Actuarial Science is heavily mathematical.
Is the bursary available across South Africa?
Yes, it supports South African students, and its university pathways include Wits and related actuarial routes. Students accepted by Wits for Actuarial Science may apply.
What support do I get besides money?
SAADP provides mentorship, life-skills workshops, tutorials and social support to help you succeed in a demanding degree.
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