Stellenbosch University Scholarships and Bursaries for 2028

Stellenbosch University Scholarships and Bursaries for 2028 Application

Students planning to study at Stellenbosch University (SU) in 2028 have several potential sources of financial support, ranging from university-administered bursaries and merit awards to postgraduate scholarships, external donor funding, government schemes and faculty-specific opportunities.

Stellenbosch University does not rely on one single bursary programme. Its funding structure includes different opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students, with eligibility potentially based on academic achievement, financial need, field of study, sporting achievement, leadership, background and other donor-specific criteria.

For prospective 2028 applicants, it is important to understand that funding opportunities, closing dates, amounts and eligibility criteria can change from one academic year to another. At the time of writing, the university has not yet published a definitive 2028 funding calendar for every scholarship and bursary. Therefore, this guide uses the latest official Stellenbosch University information to explain the funding opportunities applicants should monitor for the 2028 academic year.

See Also: Stellenbosch University Fees

Stellenbosch University Scholarships and Bursaries 2028

Stellenbosch University provides financial assistance to students through several categories. These include:

• Undergraduate bursaries
• Undergraduate merit and excellence awards
• Recruitment bursaries
• Financial-need bursaries
• Sport bursaries
• Faculty-specific bursaries
• External donor bursaries
• Postgraduate scholarships
• Postgraduate merit bursaries
• National Research Foundation (NRF) funding
• Departmental bursaries
• Private and trust-funded scholarships
• International student funding opportunities
• Special-purpose funding and support programmes

The university’s published bursary information explains that undergraduate funding broadly includes first-year excellence awards, senior merit bursaries, sport bursaries, financial-need support and other bursaries administered through the university or external organisations.

For 2028 applicants, the most important point is to apply for university admission early and investigate funding at the same time.

Who Can Apply for Stellenbosch University Bursaries?

Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship or bursary.

Stellenbosch University funding can be available to:

• Prospective undergraduate students
• Current undergraduate students
• Postgraduate students
• Students experiencing financial need
• High-achieving students
• Students in particular faculties or fields
• Students with sporting achievements
• Students who meet specific donor requirements
• Certain international postgraduate students

The university’s undergraduate funding system considers both financial need and academic merit for many forms of financial assistance. However, not every bursary uses the same criteria. Some awards are based predominantly on academic excellence, while others are designed to support students experiencing financial hardship.

This means applicants should not assume that they must be either exceptionally wealthy or exceptionally academically gifted to qualify for funding. Different bursaries serve different purposes.

1. Stellenbosch University Undergraduate Bursaries 2028

Undergraduate students can access a range of funding opportunities through Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans (CUBL).

According to the university’s published bursary information, university-managed undergraduate funding includes financial-need bursaries, merit-based awards, recruitment bursaries, sport bursaries and donor-funded opportunities.

Many university-managed bursaries are accessed through the Stellenbosch University Funding Opportunities (SUFO) process.

The university has also stated that applicants should apply annually for university funding if they need financial assistance, while students should also investigate funding from external organisations.

For the 2028 application cycle, prospective students should therefore monitor the official SU funding portal and the university’s bursaries and loans notices for the opening and closing dates.

2. Stellenbosch University Excellence Awards

One of the most attractive opportunities for academically outstanding first-year students is the Undergraduate Excellence Awards.

The university’s published funding information identifies four categories of excellence awards:

Vice-Chancellor’s Award

The Vice-Chancellor’s Award recognises exceptional Grade 12 final academic results.

Under the published scheme, awards are made to top first-year applicants who have received a final offer to study towards an undergraduate qualification at Stellenbosch University. The published value is R100,000 per recipient, paid once into the student’s Student Fees account.

Because award values and selection arrangements can be revised, applicants should not assume that the same R100,000 amount will apply to 2028 until SU publishes the relevant 2028 funding information.

Achiever Award

The Achiever Award recognises outstanding Grade 12 academic achievement among registered first-year students.

The published scheme includes awards for top-performing first-year students across recognised examination bodies, as well as students from qualifying school backgrounds. The current published value is R75,000, paid once into the Student Fees account.

Excel Award

The Excel Award is aimed at the top-performing first-time-entry first-year students in each faculty.

The published award value is R25,000, allocated as a once-off payment to the student’s Student Fees account.

Access Award

The Access Award is designed for qualifying first-year students from Quintile 1–4 schools who achieve strong NSC results.

Under the currently published criteria, the award uses a sliding scale based on the Grade 12 average:

• More than 80% but below 85%: R5,000
• More than 85% but below 90%: R7,500
• More than 90%: R10,000

These figures are based on the currently published scheme and should be checked against the official 2028 funding information before applicants rely on them.

3. Stellenbosch University Merit Bursaries

Academic performance can also lead to merit-based financial support.

The university’s published student-finance information describes merit bursaries for high-achieving students. For prospective students, the published criteria have included students achieving a 90% or higher average in their final Grade 12 results, subject to the university’s calculation rules. NSC and IEB students generally do not need to make a separate application for this merit consideration because their results are received by the university.

Current students may also qualify for senior merit bursaries based on their academic performance in the previous year.

This makes academic performance important not only when applying for admission but also after entering university.

Students should remember, however, that the precise criteria, value and continuation rules applicable to 2028 should be confirmed when SU publishes the relevant funding information.

4. Stellenbosch University Recruitment Bursaries

The Recruitment Bursary is another important form of undergraduate financial support.

Unlike an ordinary bursary application, prospective students cannot simply submit an application specifically for the recruitment bursary. Stellenbosch University’s published information indicates that the university considers applicants who fall within designated groups and meet the relevant academic criteria.

The purpose of the recruitment bursary is connected to broadening the diversity of the university’s student population.

Therefore, students should not confuse the recruitment bursary with SUFO financial-need funding.

If you are applying for 2028, the best approach is to:

1. Apply for your chosen Stellenbosch University programme.
2. Submit your academic information accurately.
3. Monitor communication from SU.
4. Apply for other funding opportunities for which you are eligible.

5. Stellenbosch University Financial-Need Bursaries

Students whose families cannot afford the full cost of university may qualify for financial assistance based on financial need.

Stellenbosch University’s published funding information indicates that financial assistance has traditionally considered household income and financial circumstances, with applicants required to provide relevant financial information.

The university’s current SUFO information also emphasises that its funding resources are limited and that receiving an application does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.

Applicants should therefore prepare financial documentation carefully.

Depending on the circumstances, supporting documents may include:

• Proof of household income
• Payslips
• Affidavits where applicable
• Identification documents
• Information about dependants
• Proof of other funding
• Academic results
• Other documents requested by the university

Applicants should use the document requirements specified for the particular 2028 application rather than relying on older lists.

6. Stellenbosch University SUFO Funding Opportunities

The Stellenbosch University Funding Opportunities (SUFO) system is particularly important for students seeking university-managed undergraduate financial assistance.

The university’s latest available SUFO guide states that applications are submitted online and that only fully completed applications with the required supporting documentation are considered. It also warns that SU funding is limited and that applying does not guarantee an award.

For example, the 2026 funding cycle used separate application periods for current and prospective undergraduate students. This demonstrates why applicants for 2028 should monitor the official SU funding announcements instead of assuming that application dates remain unchanged.

What should 2028 applicants do?

Create a Stellenbosch University application first, obtain the relevant student details, and then follow the official instructions for accessing SUFO when the 2028 funding cycle opens.

7. Faculty-Specific Bursaries

Another important funding source is faculty-specific financial assistance.

Some bursaries are restricted to students studying particular subjects, qualifications or fields.

For example, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has a dedicated Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans Office that provides advice concerning financial assistance available to its students, including university and external funding.

This means prospective students should not limit their search to a general “Stellenbosch University bursary.”

Instead, search for:

“Stellenbosch University + your faculty + bursary 2028.”

Examples include:

• Stellenbosch University Engineering bursaries
• Stellenbosch University Medicine bursaries
• Stellenbosch University Science bursaries
• Stellenbosch University Education bursaries
• Stellenbosch University Law bursaries
• Stellenbosch University Agriculture bursaries
• Stellenbosch University Commerce bursaries

The exact opportunities available can change each year.

8. Stellenbosch University Sport Bursaries

Sporting achievement can also be a route to financial support.

The university’s published bursary information identifies sport bursaries as one of the major categories of undergraduate funding. These awards are intended for students whose achievements extend beyond conventional academic performance.

Students applying for sport-related funding should prepare evidence of their achievements, which may include:

• Competition results
• Sporting rankings
• Team selection
• Provincial or national representation
• Coaching information
• Relevant sporting records

The precise application process and criteria should be confirmed with Stellenbosch University Sport for the 2028 academic year.

9. Stellenbosch University Thuthuka Bursary

Students interested in becoming Chartered Accountants (CAs) should also investigate the Thuthuka Bursary Fund.

Stellenbosch University is one of the universities participating in the Thuthuka programme. The programme supports students pursuing the accounting pathway and provides both financial and non-academic support.

The university’s published information says the bursary package has covered tuition, accommodation including food, and textbooks.

Published requirements have included South African citizenship, financial need, application to study BAccounting at Stellenbosch, residence requirements, Accounting at school, strong Mathematics performance and NBT requirements. Applicants are ranked, and satisfying minimum requirements does not guarantee an award.

Because Thuthuka requirements and dates can change, 2028 applicants should check the official Thuthuka application information when applications open.

10. Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Scholarships 2028

Stellenbosch University also provides numerous funding opportunities for postgraduate students.

Postgraduate funding can include:

• Honours bursaries
• Master’s scholarships
• Doctoral scholarships
• Postgraduate merit bursaries
• NRF funding
• Private donor bursaries
• Departmental bursaries
• Faculty-specific funding
• Research-related funding
• Travel grants

The university explains that postgraduate bursaries and scholarships may cover registration or tuition and, in some cases, accommodation and books. Research grants are a separate category and may support expenses such as fieldwork, laboratory costs, printing, travel or research materials.

This distinction is important.

A scholarship that pays tuition does not necessarily pay your research expenses.

Postgraduate applicants should therefore budget separately for:

• Registration
• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Food
• Books
• Research materials
• Data collection
• Laboratory costs
• Travel
• Conference attendance

11. Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Merit Bursaries

Academic performance is an important consideration for postgraduate funding.

The university’s postgraduate funding information indicates that postgraduate bursaries can be awarded based on academic performance, while private bursaries and departmental funding may have additional criteria.

The university also administers or facilitates access to NRF postgraduate funding.

For example, the latest available postgraduate funding call for the 2027 academic year opened on 10 August 2026 and closed on 30 September 2026.

This is useful for 2028 applicants as an indication of the type of annual cycle to monitor, but the 2028 dates should not be assumed from the 2027 schedule.

12. National Research Foundation Scholarships

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is another major source of postgraduate funding for South African university students.

Stellenbosch University acts as a channel for various NRF postgraduate funding opportunities. Its postgraduate information identifies NRF funding as available for full-time postgraduate studies across fields, subject to the applicable funding framework and eligibility requirements.

NRF funding is particularly relevant to students pursuing:

• Honours
• Master’s degrees
• Doctoral degrees
• Research-intensive programmes

Because NRF rules can change, applicants should always consult the funding framework for the relevant year.

13. Departmental and Private Postgraduate Bursaries

Students should also contact their academic department or prospective supervisor about postgraduate funding.

Stellenbosch University notes that some departments have their own funds that may be used to provide bursaries to selected students according to university financial guidelines.

Private donors and trusts also contribute to postgraduate bursaries.

The university’s research institute information, for example, encourages postgraduate students to investigate competitive bursaries such as NRF and university postgraduate merit bursaries as well as private bursaries.

For a 2028 postgraduate applicant, this means that the search should not stop at the central university funding page.

Contact the:

• Faculty
• Department
• Postgraduate coordinator
• Prospective supervisor
• Postgraduate Funding Office

to identify opportunities relevant to your research area.

14. Funding for International Students

International students should carefully distinguish between undergraduate and postgraduate funding.

The university’s postgraduate funding information states that international students may qualify for certain postgraduate merit funding, with specific academic requirements. One published SU source states that international students qualify for the Postgraduate Merit Bursary where the applicant’s previous-degree average is at least 75%.

International applicants should not assume that South African government or undergraduate funding opportunities are automatically available to them.

Instead, they should check:

• Stellenbosch University International
• Postgraduate Student Funding
• Faculty-specific opportunities
• International scholarships
• External scholarship providers
• Country-specific funding

The requirements for 2028 should be confirmed directly with Stellenbosch University before applying.

How to Apply for Stellenbosch University Scholarships and Bursaries for 2028

Although individual funding schemes have different application procedures, prospective students can follow this general process.

Step 1: Apply to Stellenbosch University

Begin by applying for admission to your chosen programme.

Having a university application or student number may be necessary before accessing certain university funding systems.

Step 2: Identify Your Funding Category

Determine whether you are applying as:

• A first-year undergraduate
• A continuing undergraduate
• A postgraduate student
• An international student
• A financially needy student
• A merit applicant
• A sportsperson
• A student in a specific faculty

Step 3: Check the Funding Requirements

Read the eligibility conditions carefully.

Do not apply based solely on the bursary name.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documents

Keep important documents ready, including:

• ID or passport
• Academic results
• Admission or application information
• Proof of household income
• Financial documents
• Academic transcripts
• Motivation letters where required
• Reference letters where required
• Research proposal for relevant postgraduate funding

Step 5: Submit Before the Closing Date

Stellenbosch University’s funding information emphasises the importance of complete applications and deadlines. The 2026 SUFO guide, for example, stated that late applications would not be considered.

Do not wait until the final day.

Step 6: Apply for Multiple Suitable Opportunities

Do not depend on a single bursary.

A student may investigate SU funding, NSFAS where eligible, external bursaries, faculty funding, private scholarships and other sources simultaneously.

Does Stellenbosch University Guarantee a Bursary?

No.

Submitting a bursary application does not guarantee funding.

Stellenbosch University explicitly states that its funding resources are limited and that an application does not automatically result in financial assistance.

Some scholarships are also highly competitive.

Applicants should therefore develop a funding plan rather than relying on one application.

Can You Receive More Than One Bursary?

You must check the terms and conditions of each funding source.

Stellenbosch University states that students who receive external financial aid, including bursaries, loans, trusts or scholarships, must inform the relevant university centre because external funding can affect the amount of SU financial assistance awarded.

In some circumstances, external funding can replace or reduce university funding.

Always declare other funding rather than assuming that multiple awards can automatically be combined.

What Happens If You Do Not Maintain Good Academic Performance?

Financial assistance may come with academic progression requirements.

Stellenbosch University’s current rules state that students receiving need-based financial assistance must accumulate at least 0.6 HEMIS credits to qualify for continuation in the following year. A student who fails to reach that threshold can receive another opportunity, but failing to meet the requirement a second time can result in no further financial assistance.

Specific scholarships may also have their own academic-performance requirements.

Therefore, obtaining a bursary is only the first step. Students need to maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain eligible funding.

Stellenbosch University Bursaries 2028: Important Tips for Applicants

Apply for admission early

Do not wait for a bursary closing date before applying to Stellenbosch University.

Keep your academic results strong

Many scholarships use academic achievement as part of their selection criteria.

Apply even if you are not applying for a merit award

Financial-need and donor bursaries may have different criteria.

Search for faculty-specific funding

Some opportunities are restricted to particular programmes or departments.

Investigate external funding

The university itself encourages students to look beyond institutional funding because university resources are limited.

Keep copies of every application

Save submitted forms, supporting documents and confirmation emails.

Watch official university announcements

Funding dates and requirements can change every year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stellenbosch University Scholarships and Bursaries 2028

When will Stellenbosch University bursary applications for 2028 open?

The definitive dates for every 2028 bursary and scholarship should be confirmed through Stellenbosch University’s official funding announcements. Different funding categories can have different application periods.

Does Stellenbosch University offer full scholarships?

Some funding packages can cover substantial study costs, while others provide partial assistance or a once-off payment. The exact coverage depends on the scholarship or bursary.

Can first-year students apply for Stellenbosch University bursaries?

Yes. Prospective first-year students can be considered for various undergraduate funding opportunities, including financial-need funding and academic excellence awards.

Does Stellenbosch University offer postgraduate scholarships?

Yes. Postgraduate students can access university, NRF, private donor and departmental funding opportunities, subject to the relevant criteria.

Can international students apply for Stellenbosch University scholarships?

Some postgraduate funding opportunities are available to international students, but eligibility depends on the particular scholarship. International applicants should verify the requirements for the 2028 cycle.

Does applying for a Stellenbosch University bursary guarantee funding?

No. SU states that funding is limited and that submitting an application does not guarantee an award.

Final Thoughts: Stellenbosch University Scholarships and Bursaries for 2028

The Stellenbosch University scholarships and bursaries for 2028 can provide important financial assistance to students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, sporting achievement, leadership potential or meet specific donor and programme requirements.

The most important opportunities to investigate include SUFO financial assistance, undergraduate excellence awards, merit bursaries, recruitment bursaries, sport bursaries, faculty-specific funding, Thuthuka, postgraduate merit bursaries, NRF scholarships, departmental funding and private donor bursaries.

However, applicants should avoid relying on old bursary amounts or closing dates. Stellenbosch University updates funding programmes from one academic year to another, and the official 2028 information should be treated as the final authority. The latest SUFO guidance confirms that applications must be complete, funding is limited and an application does not guarantee financial assistance.

For prospective students, the best strategy is to apply for admission early, maintain strong academic results, prepare financial documentation, investigate faculty-specific opportunities and apply for several appropriate funding options.

For postgraduate applicants, it is equally important to start researching NRF, university postgraduate funding, private donor scholarships and departmental bursaries well before registration. Current Stellenbosch University information confirms that postgraduate funding includes both scholarships/bursaries and separate research grants, meaning students should plan for tuition and research expenses separately.

Finally, remember that 2028 scholarship and bursary details may change. Always verify the eligibility requirements, award value, application procedure and closing date on the official Stellenbosch University funding pages before submitting an application.