Corporate vs Government Bursaries in South Africa — Which Should You Apply For?

Corporate vs Government Bursaries: At a Glance

Corporate Bursaries: Who They're For

Corporate bursaries are designed as talent pipelines. The company funds your studies in exchange for your commitment to join them after graduation.

Pros

• Highest financial value — many cover R15,000+/month in total allowances
• Vacation employment — paid work experience during holidays
• Graduate placement guaranteed — you enter with a job offer
• Mentorship and network — access to senior professionals in your field
• Career clarity — ideal if you already know the industry you want

Cons

• Workback obligation — typically 1 year for every year of funding
• Early exit penalty — repay funding if you leave before completing workback
• Field restrictions — mostly STEM, finance, commerce
• Less flexibility after graduating

Best corporate bursary providers in SA:

• Sasol, Eskom, Transnet (engineering)
• Standard Bank, Nedbank, Absa, Capitec (finance)
• Shoprite, Woolworths, Tiger Brands (FMCG/retail)
• Deloitte, PwC, KPMG (accounting)

Government Bursaries: Who They're For

Government bursaries are funded by the state to address scarce skills. The focus is on enabling students who couldn't otherwise afford to study, in fields South Africa needs.

Pros

• No workback (most cases) — freedom to work anywhere after qualifying
• Broader field coverage — includes social work, teaching, nursing, agriculture
• Need-based — designed for financially disadvantaged students
• NSFAS is the biggest — income-based, no obligation

Cons

• Lower monthly allowances in some cases
• Slower processing — government bureaucracy can delay payments
• Limited awareness — many students don't know which departments offer bursaries
• Some do require public sector work — health department bursaries specifically

Key government bursary sources:

• NSFAS — all eligible students at public institutions
• National Skills Fund (NSF) — scarce skills focus
• SETA bursaries — 21 SETAs covering different industry sectors
• Provincial departments — education, health, agriculture, social development

SETA Bursaries: The Hidden Middle Ground

SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities) are often overlooked but offer excellent no-workback funding:

SETA bursaries are funded by a levy on companies in each sector. They do not require you to work for a specific company.

Which Should You Apply For?

Apply for corporate bursaries if:

• You are studying engineering, finance, or IT
• You want a guaranteed job at graduation
• You're comfortable committing to 1–3 years with one employer
• You want the highest possible monthly allowance

Apply for government/SETA bursaries if:

• You want career freedom after graduating
• You are studying a field not covered by corporate bursaries
• You are unsure of your long-term career path
• You have significant financial need

Our recommendation: Apply for both.

Apply to every relevant bursary simultaneously. Disclose honestly when you receive an offer, and then choose the best package. There is no disadvantage to applying widely.

→ Browse all bursaries on FundingPlug

→ Filter by no-workback bursaries

→ Browse government bursaries

→ Browse corporate bursaries