The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) invites South African students to apply for the Postgraduate (Honours) Bursary Programme for the 2026 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 1 December 2025
Bursary Location: South Africa (Public Universities)
About the FREF Postgraduate Bursary
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is committed to advancing education and empowerment through financial assistance to deserving South African students. The foundation’s 2026 bursary programme supports Honours-level studies at public universities across the country.
This initiative aims to bridge the financial gap for academically capable students from low- to middle-income households, empowering them to achieve their postgraduate goals and contribute positively to South Africa’s growth and development.
Fields of Study Covered
FREF bursaries will be awarded for Honours studies (Postgraduate level) in the following disciplines:
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Sciences
- BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
- Biosciences
- Business Information
- Climate Sciences
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Financial Management
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Information Management
- Information Science
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Renewable Energy
- Risk
- Sciences
- Society and Sustainability
- Statistics
What the Bursary Covers
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary provides comprehensive financial support, covering:
- Tuition fees
- Book allowance
- Travel or living allowance
- Food vouchers
- Airtime allowance
This ensures that recipients can focus fully on their academic and research goals without financial stress.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the FREF bursary, applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be between 21 and 35 years old
- Have completed Matric
- Have achieved a minimum of 60% in Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy)
- Have completed an undergraduate degree between 2023 and 2025
- Have achieved a minimum overall average of 60% in undergraduate studies
- Be enrolled in a full-time, one-year Honours degree programme
- Be pursuing their first postgraduate qualification
- Be studying at a public university in South Africa
- Have a combined household income of not more than R700,000 per annum
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit clear certified copies of the following documents (not older than six months):
- South African ID document
- Matric certificate
- Full academic record/transcript
- Proof of 2026 university acceptance or provisional acceptance
- Proof of household income (latest payslips, affidavits, bank statements, or SASSA grant letters)
- If applicable, a disability confirmation (EEA1 form and valid doctor’s note)
How to Apply
Click here to apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Postgraduate Bursary 2026
When completing the online form, enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the bursary.
Closing Date
1 December 2025
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Apply early to ensure consideration.)
Why Apply
The FREF bursary offers more than just financial assistance — it provides a pathway to academic excellence and personal empowerment. By supporting Honours-level students in key disciplines, the programme helps build the next generation of South African leaders, innovators, and professionals.
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