The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) invites suitably qualified South African students to apply for the Master’s Scholarship Programme 2026, specialising in Data Science and Machine Learning with a specific focus on Financial Analytics.
Application Closing Date: 31 October 2025
Location: South Africa (various recognised universities)
About the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Scholarship 2026
The SARB plays a vital role in safeguarding South Africa’s economic stability by maintaining price and financial stability, regulating the financial sector, managing interest rates, and ensuring the strength of the banking system.
To address the shortage of advanced technical skills in South Africa, the SARB provides full scholarships to academically excellent students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing Master’s degrees in fields related to data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
This scholarship is administered in collaboration with the Data Science Academic Committee of the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (NGA(MaSS)).
Purpose of the Scholarship
The SARB’s Master’s Scholarship aims to:
- Develop skilled graduates in the fields of data science, machine learning, and AI, with an emphasis on financial analytics.
- Build capacity and promote research in financial data analytics.
- Support South Africa’s economic development by producing highly trained analytical professionals.
Scholarship Coverage
The scholarship provides full financial support, which may include:
- Tuition and registration fees
- Learning materials and textbooks
- Accommodation and living allowance
- Travel expenses (where applicable)
The total scholarship value will be determined based on the approved study costs at each institution.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be younger than 35 years of age.
- Must have provisional acceptance into one of the identified Master’s programmes.
- Must have selected modules that include topics in financial analytics.
- Must hold a relevant Honours degree with an average pass mark of at least 65%.
- Must intend to study full-time in 2026.
Note: Scholarship recipients may be required to attend specific workshops organised by the SARB and NGA(MaSS).
Fields of Study Covered
The SARB scholarship supports Master’s studies in:
- Data Science
- Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Financial Analytics
Applicants must be accepted into one of the SARB-approved postgraduate programmes at a recognised South African university.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following supporting documents with their application:
- Certified copy of ID document
- Full academic record / latest examination results
- Proof of acceptance at a recognised institution (including a student number)
- Any other relevant supporting documentation
How to Apply
Submit your application online using the promo code SARBDSM26 via the following link:
👉 Apply for the SARB Data Science and Machine Learning Master’s Scholarship 2026
Important:
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Applications close on Friday, 31 October 2025.
- Successful applicants will be required to attend an interview and sign a scholarship agreement with the SARB.
Key Dates
- Application Closing Date: 31 October 2025
- Submission of Examination Results: by 31 December 2025
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