The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) was established in 1940 and owned by the South African government under the supervision of the Economic Development Department.
The IDC aims to drive industrial growth and create sustainable employment opportunities within South Africa and across the continent.
With its mission of promoting economic development, the IDC offers comprehensive financial and non-financial support to youth enterprises and businesses undertaking industrial development projects.
This support extends to students through its bursary program, which empowers academically talented individuals from financially constrained backgrounds to pursue higher education.
About the IDC Bursary Program
The IDC bursary is designed to address financial barriers to education while cultivating the next generation of professionals across various critical fields.
For the 2025 academic year, the bursary is open to undergraduate students and select postgraduate candidates in specific disciplines.
Fields Covered
Bursaries are awarded for undergraduate studies in:
- Commerce and Management Studies: BCom Accounting, Cost and Management Accounting, Business Management, Economics, Financial Accounting, Investment Management, and more.
- Engineering: Agricultural Studies, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, and related fields.
- Applied Sciences: Actuarial Science, Data Science, Environmental Science, Physics, Statistics, and Biotechnology.
- Law: LLB, BCom Law, Postgraduate Diplomas in Law, and other related courses.
Postgraduate bursaries are restricted to fields like Finance, Accounting, and Law.
Benefits of the Bursary
The IDC bursary covers:
- Tuition fees.
- Accommodation.
- Meal allowances.
- Transport allowances.
- A once-off laptop to assist with studies.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the IDC bursary, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a South African citizen aged 26 or younger.
- Be currently in Matric or have completed Matric.
- Intend to study full-time towards a first undergraduate qualification in the approved fields at a recognized public institution.
- Achieve a minimum of 75% Admission Point Score (APS) for Matric students or 65% APS for tertiary students.
- Demonstrate financial need, with a combined household income not exceeding R600,000 per annum.
- Show exceptional academic performance.
- Be unemployed.
- Preference will be given to:
- Students with disabilities.
- Students from public schools (Quintile 1, 2, and 3) or rural areas.
How to Apply for the IDC Bursary
The application process is easy but requires attention to detail to ensure all required documents are submitted.
- Submit Online Application
- Visit the official IDC bursary application page.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page to register an account.
- Include Required Documents
Applicants must upload certified copies (not older than six months) of the following:- ID document.
- Grade 11 and Matric June results (if in Matric).
- Matric certificate (if completed).
- Latest academic results (if not studying this year).
- 2024 mid-year results (if currently studying).
- Proof of acceptance or provisional admission at a tertiary institution.
- Parents or guardians’ ID documents.
- Proof of household income or affidavits for unemployed parents.
- Additional documents if applicable (e.g., SASSA letter, death certificates, divorce certificates).
- Answer “How Did You Hear About the Bursary?”
- Input: www.bursariesmzansi.co.za.
Deadlines
The deadline to apply for the 2025 IDC bursary was 30 September 2024.
No new dates have been announced since then.
Contact Information
For any inquiries regarding the IDC bursary, applicants can reach out to the provider directly:
- Email: bursary@idc.co.za
- Tel: 011 269 3374