2026 SADC Undergraduate Bursary at Stellenbosch University in South Africa | R50,000 Financial Support for International Students

International students from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region who are currently studying in South Africa now have an excellent opportunity to secure financial support for their academic journey through the 2026 SADC Undergraduate Bursary at Stellenbosch University.

The bursary programme, administered by Stellenbosch University International, is designed to assist academically progressing undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Successful applicants will receive bursary funding valued at R50,000 to help cover study-related expenses for the 2026 academic year.

This funding initiative supports students from eligible SADC countries who are enrolled at Stellenbosch University and are continuing into their second, third, or fourth year of undergraduate study in 2026.

About the 2026 Stellenbosch University SADC Undergraduate Bursary

The 2026 SADC Undergraduate Bursary is specifically targeted at international undergraduate students from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region who are currently studying at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

The bursary aims to support deserving students who are facing financial challenges while remaining committed to completing their academic programmes successfully.

The programme recognizes the importance of increasing access to higher education for students across Southern Africa and strengthening regional academic development.

Bursary Value

Successful applicants will receive:

• R50,000 per bursary award

The bursary funding is primarily intended to assist with:

• Study fees
• Academic-related costs
• Accommodation support (where applicable through top-up funding arrangements)

Please note that the bursary cannot be used to settle historical debt.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to international undergraduate students from eligible SADC countries who will be in:

• 2nd Year of study in 2026
• 3rd Year of study in 2026
• 4th Year of study in 2026 (for four-year degree programmes)

Eligible SADC countries include:

1. Angola
2. Botswana
3. Comoros
4. Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)
5. Lesotho
6. Madagascar
7. Malawi
8. Mauritius
9. Mozambique
10. Namibia
11. Seychelles
12. Eswatini
13. Tanzania
14. Zambia
15. Zimbabwe

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet several important criteria.

Financial Need

Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students whose combined household income does not exceed:

• R350,000 per annum

Academic Performance

Students must have successfully passed at least:

• 60% of their academic credits for the 2025 academic year

Degree Progression

Applicants should ideally be on track to complete their degree:

• Within the minimum prescribed period
• Or within n+1 years where applicable

Visa and Study Permit Requirements

Applicants must possess one of the following:

• A valid study permit
• Refugee documentation
• Asylum seeker documentation
• VFS receipt confirming a visa application

These documents must be valid for the full academic year.

Permanent Resident Applicants

Permanent residents may apply only if they do not qualify for NSFAS funding.

Important Conditions of the Bursary

Applicants should carefully note the following important conditions:

• The bursary is not automatically renewable
• Students must apply annually
• Funding cannot be used to pay historical debt
• Co-funding arrangements should be clearly indicated
• Complete supporting documentation must be submitted before the deadline
• Incomplete applications may not be considered

Required Application Documents

Applicants are strongly advised to upload all required supporting documents at the time of submission.

Failure to submit complete documentation may result in:

• Delayed processing
• Ineligibility
• Disqualification of the application

Late submissions and requests for additional document uploads after submission will not be accepted.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the 2026 Stellenbosch University SADC Undergraduate Bursary is:

Friday, 24 July 2026 at 16:00 (South African time)

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to avoid technical issues or incomplete submissions close to the deadline.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The 2026 SADC Undergraduate Bursary represents a valuable opportunity for international students across Southern Africa who are pursuing higher education in South Africa.

With rising tuition and living costs, financial support programmes like this help talented students remain focused on their studies while reducing financial pressure.

The bursary also demonstrates Stellenbosch University’s continued commitment to supporting regional educational access, academic excellence, and student success across the African continent.

Students who meet the eligibility criteria are highly encouraged to prepare their documents early and submit strong applications before the deadline.

Learn more and apply

Click HERE to learn more and apply for the 2026 SADC Undergraduate Bursary at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

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