Your Ultimate Guide to the Standard Bank Bursary (Undergraduate & Postgraduate)

By | August 26, 2025
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If you’ve ever sat in a lecture wondering how you’ll pay next semester’s tuition — or whether you can afford that R1,500 textbook — you’re not alone.

But here’s some good news: The Standard Bank Group Bursary could make those worries disappear. This bursary isn’t just a cheque to cover tuition. It’s a complete package designed to support your studies, living costs, and even your mental well-being, so you can focus entirely on smashing those academic goals.

Whether you’re an undergraduate moving into your second year or a postgrad tackling your Honours or Master’s, this opportunity could be a game changer.

What is the Standard Bank Bursary?

The Standard Bank Bursary is a fully funded scholarship for South African students studying full-time at a public university. It’s aimed at academically strong students who also need financial support.

Applications are handled through StudyTrust, an educational trust that partners with Standard Bank to manage bursary programmes.

In short, Standard Bank invests in your education — and in return, you gain the resources, mentoring, and tools to succeed in your chosen career.

Who Can Apply?

Before you start dreaming of your bursary-funded student life, here’s the checklist:

  1. You must be a South African citizen.
  2. You must study full-time at a public South African university.
  3. Minimum average of 65% in your latest exams.
  4. Field of study must be one of the bursary’s focus areas, such as:
    • Accounting
    • Actuarial Science
    • Analytics
    • Commerce
    • Computer Science / Data Science
    • Economics
    • Engineering
    • Finance
    • Information Technology
    • Investments
    • Mathematics & Statistics
    • Emerging disciplines like Behavioural Economics, Psychology, and Neuroscience
  5. You must show financial need.

You can see the official eligibility details here: StudyTrust – Standard Bank Bursary

What the Bursary Covers

Here’s where Standard Bank really steps up. This bursary doesn’t just pay for classes — it covers almost every aspect of student life:

  • Tuition fees (full coverage, paid directly to your university)
  • Accommodation (either in res or capped private rentals)
  • Meals or meal allowances
  • Textbooks and study materials
  • Laptop for academic work
  • Monthly stipend to cover living expenses
  • Transport support for trips between home and campus
  • Medical aid to ensure you’re covered for health needs
  • Psychological and mentoring support to keep you on track academically and emotionally

It’s essentially a “study without stress” package.

Undergraduate vs Postgraduate Bursaries

While both offer similar benefits, there are a few small differences.

Undergraduate Bursary

  • Usually awarded from second year onwards.
  • Same academic (65%+) and field-of-study requirements.

Postgraduate Bursary

  • Covers Honours, Master’s, and selected postgraduate programmes.
  • Must be studying full-time in an eligible field.

Both offer the same career networking opportunities — including the possibility of internships or jobs at Standard Bank after graduation.

When to Apply

For the 2026 academic year:

  • Applications open: 1 May 2025
  • Applications close: 30 September 2025

Miss the deadline, and you’ll have to wait another year — so mark it in your calendar now.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

  1. Go to the StudyTrust portal
    Apply here when applications open.
  2. Fill in the application form
    Be ready to share your personal info, academic record, and financial situation.
  3. Prepare these documents:
    • Certified copy of your SA ID
    • Academic transcripts (Grade 12 + latest university results)
    • Proof of household income
  4. Submit before 30 September
    No late entries are considered.
  5. Shortlisting & Assessments
    If shortlisted, you may be invited to:
    • Do a psychometric test
    • Attend an interview

Why It’s Worth Applying

  • Comprehensive coverage — no more splitting your budget between rent and textbooks.
  • Extra support — mentoring and mental health resources aren’t common in bursary programmes, but here they’re standard.
  • Career connections — Standard Bank often considers bursary graduates for their own talent pipeline.
  • Focus on in-demand skills — especially in finance, STEM, and data-related fields.

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Aim higher than the minimum marks — 65% is the cutoff, but higher scores make you stand out.
  • Tell your story — Explain your ambitions, career goals, and financial situation clearly.
  • Don’t procrastinate — Start gathering your documents early.
  • Practice assessments — Get familiar with psychometric test formats.
  • Keep an eye on your inbox — That’s how they’ll contact you for next steps.

Useful Links

Final Word

Imagine walking into your lectures knowing that your tuition is paid, your accommodation is sorted, and your textbooks are covered. Imagine also having a mentor to guide your career path and access to mental health support when things get tough.

That’s what the Standard Bank Group Bursary offers. It’s not just funding — it’s a full academic support system that can carry you through to graduation and possibly straight into your career.

If you’re a South African student in one of the listed fields, keep your grades up, get your paperwork ready, and apply the moment applications open in May. You might just change the course of your academic journey — and your life.