SASOL FOUNDATION BURSARY PROGRAMME 2026

The Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2026 is offering comprehensive undergraduate bursary opportunities to eligible South African students planning to pursue full-time degree studies at approved public universities and universities of technology in South Africa. The programme primarily supports students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications, with particular emphasis on fields linked to the Green Economy and Digitalisation.

Applications for the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2026 are scheduled to open on 1 August 2026 and close on 23 August 2026 at midnight. The opportunity is intended exclusively for South African citizens by birth who meet the programme’s academic, financial and age requirements.

The Sasol Foundation says its bursary programme is part of its broader effort to develop skills and support talented young people pursuing qualifications that contribute to South Africa’s future capabilities.

Background & Bursary Description

The Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme is designed to provide educational support to talented individuals who intend to study full-time towards undergraduate degrees.

The main focus for the forthcoming academic year is on STEM bursaries. Priority is given to qualifications aligned with future capabilities, particularly the Green Economy and Digitalisation.

The programme identifies several areas that may qualify for support, including:

Engineering
Information Technology
Data Sciences
Agricultural Science
Environmental Sciences
Medical Sciences
Construction and Manufacturing

The programme may also consider other relevant STEM disciplines.

An important point for prospective applicants is that postgraduate bursaries will not be available for the forthcoming academic year under the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme.

Non-STEM Bursaries

Sasol also provides non-STEM bursary opportunities, but these are subject to additional restrictions.

Non-STEM bursaries are reserved for qualifying students who fall into specific categories. These include children of Sasol employees, children of Sasol Khanyisa shareholders, and qualifying candidates from Sasol fence-line communities, meaning municipalities or districts around Sasol plants and operations.

Therefore, students interested in non-STEM qualifications should not assume that the general STEM eligibility requirements automatically apply to them. The applicant must also meet the specific community, shareholder or employee-related eligibility requirements.

As with the STEM opportunity, postgraduate bursaries will not be available for the forthcoming academic year.

Who Can Apply?

The Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme is limited to South African citizens by birth.

Applicants must also satisfy several academic and personal requirements.

The general screening criteria include:

South African citizenship by birth;
Household income verification;
Academic performance;
Financial need;
Being enrolled in or planning to pursue a first undergraduate degree;
Meeting the programme’s age requirement;
Meeting the relevant academic requirements; and
Studying full-time at an approved public South African university or university of technology.

The programme states that the combined household income must not exceed R800,000 per year. Final selection will prioritise applicants who demonstrate financial need while also meeting the academic competitiveness requirements.

Applicants must also be no older than 25 years of age at the time of application.

Academic Requirements

Academic performance is an important part of the Sasol Foundation selection process.

Students who are already studying in their second, third or fourth year must have achieved an average of at least 60% across all modules.

Students applying for first-year undergraduate study must have completed matric within a year of submitting their application or be completing matric in the application year.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their academic records accurately reflect their latest results before submitting an application.

Sasol uses academic performance together with financial circumstances and other eligibility requirements when screening applicants.

Eligible Study Areas

The Sasol Foundation places significant emphasis on STEM qualifications.

The programme highlights disciplines connected to South Africa’s future economic and technological needs, including:

Engineering: Engineering programmes may be considered where they align with the programme’s STEM focus.

Information Technology and Data Science: Technology-related fields are included among the areas receiving attention because of the growing importance of digitalisation.

Agricultural Science: Agricultural studies are included among the STEM-related areas supported by the Foundation.

Environmental Sciences: Applicants pursuing environmental-related qualifications may also be considered.

Medical Sciences: Certain medical science disciplines fall within the Foundation’s identified STEM areas.

Construction and Manufacturing: These areas are also identified as relevant to future capabilities.

Applicants should confirm that their specific degree is eligible before submitting an application.

Study Requirements

The Sasol Foundation bursary opportunities are intended for students pursuing full-time degree studies.

The bursaries are limited to studies at an approved public South African University or University of Technology.

Applicants should note that the information supplied by Sasol specifically states that UNISA and distance-learning institutions are not considered for the relevant bursary programmes.

The programme also does not support dual, combined or hybrid degree programmes.

Only standard degree programmes are considered, and applicants should carefully check the qualification structure before applying.

Financial Need and Household Income

Financial need is an important part of the Sasol Foundation’s selection process.

Applicants undergo household income verification, and the combined household income must not exceed R800,000 per annum.

Meeting the income threshold does not automatically guarantee selection. Sasol states that final selection will prioritise candidates who are both financially needy and academically competitive.

This means applicants should provide accurate financial information and supporting documentation when requested.

Providing incorrect or misleading information can result in an application being rejected or a bursary offer being withdrawn.

What Does the Bursary Support?

The Sasol Foundation describes its STEM bursary as a comprehensive bursary for qualifying undergraduate students.

The programme is intended to support talented students throughout their full-time degree studies.

However, prospective applicants should distinguish the Sasol Foundation opportunity from the separate Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme, which has its own study fields, selection requirements and work-back and/or pay-back obligations.

Applicants should therefore apply under the correct Sasol programme and carefully read the requirements attached to that specific opportunity.

Documents and Application Information

Applicants should be prepared to provide documentation supporting their academic, personal and financial information.

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, documentation may include academic records, proof of registration and identity documentation.

For students already enrolled at university, Sasol may require a full academic record covering their studies and proof of registration.

Applicants should also be prepared to provide proof of their permanent home residence, including the relevant municipality and district, where required under the programme’s conditions.

Shortlisted candidates must also be willing and able to participate in online psychometric testing before the interview stage.

Application Process

Applications for the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2026 are submitted online through the official Sasol bursary website.

The application period is:

Opening date: 1 August 2026

Closing date: 23 August 2026 at midnight

Applicants should complete their applications before the closing time. Sasol states that incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Applications submitted by email or through channels other than the official Sasol bursary website will not be considered.

Only one application per student will be accepted.

Applicants should therefore carefully review their information before submitting the application.

Important Conditions for Applicants

Successful applicants must comply with the conditions attached to the bursary.

The bursary is intended for standard full-time degree programmes at recognised and approved South African institutions.

Students must also be able to complete their studies within the maximum period specified by the programme. Sasol states that bursaries are subject to the condition that students should be able to complete their degrees within a maximum period of five years from the start date to the completion date of the specific degree.

Applicants must provide truthful and accurate information throughout the application and selection process.

If incorrect information is discovered, Sasol states that an invitation to continue in the selection process, a bursary offer or an existing bursary may be withdrawn or terminated.

Selection and Notifications

The Sasol Foundation bursary is competitive, and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily guarantee selection.

Applicants are screened according to factors including citizenship, household income, academic performance, study requirements and other programme-specific conditions.

Shortlisted applicants may proceed to further selection stages, including online psychometric assessments and interviews.

According to the information provided by Sasol, notifications regarding the status of applications are expected to be provided by the end of November.

Applicants should therefore monitor their communication channels after submitting their applications.

How to Apply for the Sasol Foundation Bursary 2026

Eligible candidates should apply online through the official Sasol bursary website.

Before submitting an application, applicants should:

Confirm that they are South African citizens by birth.
Check that they meet the age requirement.
Confirm that their household income is within the stated limit.
Verify that their intended qualification is eligible.
Confirm that they will study full-time.
Ensure that their institution is an approved public South African university or university of technology.
Prepare accurate academic and supporting documentation.
Review the application carefully before submission.
Submit the application before 23 August 2026 at midnight.

Applicants experiencing difficulties with the application process can use the contact information provided by Sasol for assistance.

Final Thoughts

The Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2026 provides an opportunity for academically competitive and financially needy South African students to pursue undergraduate STEM studies at approved public higher education institutions.

The programme’s current focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, together with priority areas connected to the Green Economy and Digitalisation, makes it particularly relevant to students considering careers in engineering, information technology, data science, agricultural science, environmental sciences, medical sciences, construction and manufacturing.

The 2026 Sasol Foundation Bursary application period runs from 1 August to 23 August 2026 at midnight. Applicants should not wait until the final day because incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Candidates should carefully verify their citizenship, age, household income, academic record, qualification and institution before applying. They should also ensure that all information supplied to Sasol is accurate and supported by the required documentation.

Important: The Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme should not be confused with Sasol’s separate Mainstream, Mining, Energy, Graduate Development and Technician Development programmes. Each programme has different eligibility requirements and application periods. Applicants should use the official Sasol bursary platform to confirm the latest requirements before submitting an application.

SEO Keywords: Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2026, Sasol Foundation Bursary 2026, Sasol bursary 2026, Sasol bursaries South Africa 2026, Sasol Foundation bursary applications, Sasol STEM bursary 2026, Sasol undergraduate bursary 2026, Sasol bursary for South African students, Sasol bursary application 2026, Sasol bursary closing date 2026, Sasol bursary August 2026, Sasol Foundation STEM bursary, Sasol bursary requirements 2026, Sasol bursary eligibility, Sasol bursary household income, Sasol bursary R800000 household income, engineering bursaries South Africa 2026, STEM bursaries South Africa 2026, undergraduate bursaries South Africa 2026, engineering scholarships South Africa, IT bursaries South Africa 2026, data science bursaries South Africa, environmental science bursaries South Africa, agricultural science bursaries South Africa, Sasol scholarships 2026, South African student bursaries, fully funded bursaries South Africa 2026, bursaries for matric students 2026, university bursaries South Africa 2026, Sasol Foundation applications 2026.

APPLY NOW