Looking for Bursaries Closing in October 2026? This page lists South African bursaries with application deadlines falling during October 2026, including opportunities for the 2027 academic year. If you need funding for university, university of technology, TVET college or other recognised tertiary studies, check this directory before the deadlines pass.
October is an important month for bursary applications because several programmes close during the month, including opportunities in accounting, pharmacy, health sciences, engineering, business, food science, valuation, postgraduate study and other fields.
These bursaries have application deadlines falling in October 2026. Always open the individual bursary page and confirm the latest requirements and application instructions before submitting your application.
Last verified: August 2026
Important: A bursary’s closing date is the final date stated for that application cycle. Do not wait until the final day if you can submit earlier. Application portals can close at specific times, and some bursaries require documents that take time to obtain.
October 2026 Bursary Directory | Bursaries Closing Early in October | Bursaries Closing Later in October | Bursaries by Field of Study | How to Use This Directory | Documents to Prepare | What If You Miss the Deadline? | Bursary Resources | FAQs
Bursaries Closing in October 2026 – Quick Directory
The table below gives you a quick view of the bursaries currently identified as closing in October 2026. Where a detailed Grads24 article is available, use that individual page to check eligibility, fields of study, funding coverage, required documents and application instructions.
| Bursary | Closing Date | Study Area / Target | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa (WFSA) Bursary | 3 October 2026 | Agriculture, Business, Education, Health and related fields | 🟢 Open |
| Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) Bursary | 5 October 2026 | Pharmacy | 🟢 Open |
| Tiso Foundation Bursary | 8 October 2026 | Undergraduate degrees and national diplomas | 🟢 Open |
| Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) Bursary | 15 October 2026 | Accounting / Chartered Accountancy | 🟢 Open |
| Etion Create Bursary | 16 October 2026 | Engineering, electronics and technology-related fields | 🟢 Open |
| KPMG Bursary | 30 October 2026 | Accounting / Chartered Accountancy | 🟢 Open |
| Martin & East Gap Year and Bursary | 30 October 2026 | Selected study and gap-year opportunities | 🟢 Open |
| SAAFoST Bursary | 30 October 2026 | Food Science and related fields | 🟢 Open |
| ISFAP Undergraduate Bursary | 31 October 2026 | Undergraduate study / selected high-demand fields | 🟢 Open |
| ISFAP Postgraduate Bursary | 31 October 2026 | Postgraduate study | 🟢 Open |
| SASMT Bursaries | 31 October 2026 | Mathematics and related studies | 🟢 Open |
| South African Institute of Valuers (SAIV) Bursary | 31 October 2026 | Property valuation / related studies | 🟢 Open |
| Northern Cape Premier’s Bursary Programme | 31 October 2026 | Undergraduate / first qualification studies | 🟢 Open |
| Letsatsi Borutho Trust Bursary | 31 October 2026 | Various fields; community-based eligibility | 🟢 Open |
| Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Scholarship Programme | 31 October 2026 | Honours, Master’s and Doctoral study | 🟢 Application cycle |
Deadline information can change. Treat the table as a current directory rather than a substitute for the bursary provider’s application instructions.
Bursaries Closing in Early October 2026
If you are searching for a bursary closing at the beginning of October 2026, prioritise these opportunities first. The earliest deadline currently listed is 3 October, followed by 5 October and 8 October.
Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa Bursary – 3 October 2026
The Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa (WFSA) Bursary is a targeted opportunity rather than a general bursary open to every student. Eligibility is connected to employees of growers within the Waitrose supply chain and their children or qualifying dependants.
The current closing date is 3 October 2026. Applicants should start the process early because the application procedure involves requesting and completing the relevant application documentation.
Read the full Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa Bursary guide
Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa Bursary – 5 October 2026
The Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education bursary is aimed at students pursuing pharmacy studies. The current 2027 undergraduate bursary opportunity has a closing date of 5 October 2026.
If you are searching specifically for pharmacy bursaries closing in October 2026, this should be one of the opportunities you investigate.
Tiso Foundation Bursary – 8 October 2026
The Tiso Foundation Undergraduate Bursary supports eligible South African students pursuing undergraduate degrees and national diplomas. The 2027 application cycle closes on 8 October 2026.
The Foundation states that the programme is not restricted only to first-year students. Eligible students already studying toward their qualification may also be considered, subject to the programme requirements.
Bursaries Closing From Mid to Late October 2026
Several October bursaries have deadlines between 15 October and 31 October 2026. Although these deadlines are later in the month, you should still prepare your documents before October begins.
AGSA Bursary – 15 October 2026
The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) Bursary is particularly relevant to students pursuing Chartered Accountancy-related qualifications. Grads24 has an individual AGSA bursary resource that can be used as the next step when researching eligibility and application requirements.
Etion Create Bursary – 16 October 2026
The Etion Create Bursary is relevant to students pursuing technology and engineering-related fields. The current October directory lists 16 October 2026 as the closing date.
KPMG Bursary – 30 October 2026
The KPMG Bursary is particularly relevant to students working toward Chartered Accountancy and accounting-related qualifications. Students should check the current application requirements carefully because KPMG bursary applications can distinguish between different applicant categories.
Browse Accounting Bursaries South Africa
Martin & East Gap Year and Bursary – 30 October 2026
The Martin & East opportunity is listed among bursaries closing on 30 October 2026. Applicants should review the individual programme requirements carefully to determine whether they qualify for the bursary or gap-year component.
SAAFoST Bursary – 30 October 2026
The South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) Bursary is relevant to students interested in food science and related areas. The October 2026 deadline listed for the bursary is 30 October 2026.
ISFAP Undergraduate Bursary – 31 October 2026
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) supports eligible students who fall within the so-called missing-middle funding space. The undergraduate application deadline for the 2027 cycle is 31 October 2026.
If you are looking for missing-middle bursaries closing in October 2026, ISFAP is one of the most important programmes to investigate.
ISFAP Postgraduate Bursary – 31 October 2026
ISFAP also has a postgraduate funding opportunity with a current closing date of 31 October 2026. Postgraduate applicants should use the requirements for the postgraduate programme rather than assuming that the undergraduate requirements apply.
SASMT Bursaries – 31 October 2026
The South African Society for Mathematics and Technology (SASMT) bursary opportunities are relevant to students in mathematics and related areas. The current October deadline listed is 31 October 2026.
South African Institute of Valuers Bursary – 31 October 2026
The South African Institute of Valuers (SAIV) Bursary is relevant to students pursuing property valuation and related studies. Applications are currently listed as closing on 31 October 2026.
Bursaries Closing in October 2026 by Field of Study
If you do not want to read through every bursary in the directory, you can narrow your search according to your qualification.
| Field | October Opportunities to Investigate |
|---|---|
| Accounting / Chartered Accountancy | AGSA, KPMG |
| Pharmacy | PSSA / Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education |
| Engineering & Technology | Etion Create and selected technology-related opportunities |
| Food Science | SAAFoST |
| Mathematics | SASMT |
| Property / Valuation | SAIV |
| General Undergraduate Study | Tiso Foundation, ISFAP and selected community bursaries |
| Postgraduate Study | ISFAP Postgraduate Bursary, Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Scholarship Programme |
| Agriculture / Community-Linked Study | Waitrose Foundation, Letsatsi Borutho Trust and other targeted opportunities |
Bursaries Closing on 3 October 2026
If your bursary deadline is 3 October 2026, you should not treat the first week of October as spare time. The Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa Bursary is a targeted programme with specific eligibility requirements, so prospective applicants should confirm that they belong to an eligible group before preparing the application.
Bursaries Closing on 5 October 2026
The PSSA Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education bursary has a 5 October 2026 closing date for its current undergraduate pharmacy opportunity. Students searching for pharmacy funding should verify their year of study and qualification before applying.
Bursaries Closing on 8 October 2026
The Tiso Foundation Undergraduate Bursary closes on 8 October 2026. The programme is aimed at eligible South African youth and can support students beyond the first year of university, subject to the programme’s requirements.
Bursaries Closing on 15 and 16 October 2026
Students pursuing accounting and technology-related qualifications should pay particular attention to the middle of October. The AGSA Bursary is currently listed with a 15 October 2026 deadline, while the Etion Create Bursary is listed with a 16 October 2026 deadline.
Bursaries Closing on 30 October 2026
There are several opportunities with deadlines on 30 October 2026, including KPMG, Martin & East and SAAFoST. Students who qualify for more than one should prepare their applications simultaneously rather than applying for one and waiting for an outcome before starting the next.
Bursaries Closing on 31 October 2026
31 October 2026 is currently one of the busiest bursary deadlines in October. Opportunities listed with this deadline include ISFAP Undergraduate, ISFAP Postgraduate, SASMT and SAIV, as well as the Northern Cape Premier’s Bursary Programme and other programmes with independently published October deadlines.
A deadline of 31 October does not mean that you should begin your application on 31 October. Some applications require academic records, proof of income, references, certified documents or other information that can take several days to obtain.
How to Use This October 2026 Bursary Directory
- Find your deadline: Identify bursaries that close in October and note the exact date.
- Check your field: Make sure the bursary supports your qualification.
- Check eligibility: Read the applicant requirements before spending time on the application.
- Open the individual bursary page: Use the detailed article where available to find the full application information.
- Prepare documents: Gather academic records, identification and financial documents early.
- Submit before the deadline: Do not rely on the final hours of the application period.
- Check the official provider: Confirm important details against the latest information supplied by the bursary organisation.
Documents to Prepare Before October Bursary Deadlines
Every bursary has its own document requirements, but students applying for multiple bursaries can save time by preparing commonly requested documents in advance.
- South African Identity Document
- Latest academic results or academic record
- Matric certificate or latest school results
- Proof of university or college acceptance
- Proof of registration where applicable
- Proof of household income
- Proof of residence where required
- Curriculum Vitae
- Motivation letter where required
- Academic or character references where required
- Additional documents requested by the specific bursary provider
Do not assume that one bursary’s document checklist applies to another. Always follow the instructions supplied for the specific application.
How to Apply for Bursaries Closing in October 2026
1. Choose bursaries you actually qualify for
Start with your field of study, year of study, academic performance, financial circumstances and any location or community requirements.
2. Open the individual bursary page
A deadline directory is designed to help you discover opportunities. The individual bursary page should be your next step because it contains the detailed eligibility and application information.
3. Check the closing date again
Application dates can change between publication and submission. Confirm the current deadline before submitting your application.
4. Prepare the required documents
Collect the documents requested by the bursary provider and make sure scans or certified copies meet the stated requirements.
5. Submit using the correct application method
Some bursaries use online application portals, while others require forms, email submissions or another specified method. Follow the provider’s instructions exactly.
6. Keep proof of submission
Save your application confirmation, reference number, submitted documents and important correspondence in case you need to follow up later.
What Happens If You Miss a Bursary Closing Date?
If you miss an October 2026 bursary deadline, do not assume that there are no other funding opportunities available.
- Check whether the provider has announced another application cycle.
- Look for bursaries with November or December deadlines.
- Check bursaries that accept applications throughout the year.
- Search for bursaries specifically related to your field of study.
- Check university and college financial-aid opportunities.
- Investigate NSFAS if you meet its eligibility requirements.
Grads24 also maintains resources for bursaries that remain open beyond a particular month, allowing students to continue searching after an individual deadline has passed.
Bursary Resources and Related Guides
Searching by deadline is useful when an application date is approaching, but it should not be the only way you search for funding. You can also find opportunities by field of study, provider and category.
- Bursaries South Africa 2027 – Browse the wider Grads24 bursary directory.
- Government Bursaries South Africa 2027 – Find bursaries offered by government departments, municipalities and public entities.
- Engineering Bursaries South Africa 2027 – Search engineering funding by discipline and provider.
- Accounting Bursaries South Africa – Find accounting, finance and Chartered Accountancy opportunities.
- Bursary Alerts – Check for newly published bursaries and deadline updates.
- Bursaries Open All Year Round – Useful if you have missed a fixed October deadline.
Why October 2026 Is Important for 2027 Bursary Applicants
Many bursaries for the 2027 academic year are advertised months before the new academic year begins. As a result, students who wait until January 2027 to start searching may discover that some of the strongest funding opportunities have already closed.
October is therefore an important point in the 2027 bursary application cycle. Students should not only search for bursaries closing during October but should also look ahead for opportunities with November and December deadlines.
Bursaries Closing in October 2026: Current Status
At the time of the latest verification, the October deadline directory includes opportunities closing between 3 October and 31 October 2026. The dates are not all identical, and some programmes have specific eligibility restrictions.
For example, the Northern Cape Premier’s Bursary Programme currently lists a 31 October 2026 closing date and states that no late applications will be considered. The programme is aimed at eligible unemployed youth from the Northern Cape pursuing a first qualification. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The current October directory published by ZA Bursaries lists 12 principal bursary opportunities, including WFSA, PSSA, Tiso Foundation, AGSA, Etion Create, KPMG, Martin & East, SAAFoST, ISFAP Undergraduate, ISFAP Postgraduate, SASMT and SAIV. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Additional October opportunities can also appear on university funding boards and other bursary directories. For example, current funding information identifies the Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Scholarship Programme as having a 31 October 2026 deadline for its 2027 cycle. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
October Bursaries vs Bursaries Closing in September
If you are still preparing applications, do not focus exclusively on October. Some major 2027 bursaries close before October begins. For example, current university funding information lists CSIR, FirstRand, Department of Agriculture and Amazon among opportunities with September deadlines. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
This means that your bursary search should operate as a rolling process: apply for September opportunities while preparing applications for October and later deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions – Bursaries Closing in October 2026
Which bursaries are closing in October 2026?
Current October 2026 bursary listings include the Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa Bursary, PSSA Bursary, Tiso Foundation Bursary, AGSA Bursary, Etion Create Bursary, KPMG Bursary, Martin & East, SAAFoST, ISFAP Undergraduate, ISFAP Postgraduate, SASMT and SAIV. Additional programmes may have October deadlines, so check the individual provider information before applying.
Which bursaries close on 31 October 2026?
Current listings include the ISFAP Undergraduate Bursary, ISFAP Postgraduate Bursary, SASMT Bursaries and South African Institute of Valuers Bursary. The Northern Cape Premier’s Bursary Programme and other independently published opportunities may also have a 31 October deadline.
Which bursaries close on 30 October 2026?
The current October directory lists the KPMG Bursary, Martin & East Gap Year and Bursary, and SAAFoST Bursary as closing on 30 October 2026.
Which bursaries close early in October 2026?
The earliest currently listed October deadlines include the Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa Bursary on 3 October, the PSSA Bursary on 5 October and the Tiso Foundation Bursary on 8 October 2026.
Are these bursaries for the 2027 academic year?
Many of the bursaries listed with October 2026 deadlines are for the 2027 academic year. However, applicants should check the individual bursary programme because the funding period and eligibility requirements can differ.
Can I still apply on the closing date?
If the bursary provider states that applications close on that date, you should submit before the stated deadline. Do not assume that an application submitted late will be accepted, and do not wait until the final hours if documents or online verification are required.
What if I miss a bursary closing date in October 2026?
Search for bursaries closing later in the year, bursaries that accept applications throughout the year, university funding opportunities and other bursaries matching your field of study. You can also check whether the provider has announced a future application cycle.
Where can I find bursaries closing in October 2026?
Use this Grads24 October 2026 deadline directory to identify opportunities, then open the relevant individual bursary article where available to check the detailed eligibility requirements, documents, funding information and application instructions.
Important Before You Apply
- Check the exact closing date.
- Check whether the bursary is for 2027 studies.
- Confirm that your qualification is supported.
- Check the minimum academic requirements.
- Check citizenship, residency or community requirements.
- Check whether the bursary is undergraduate or postgraduate.
- Prepare supporting documents early.
- Use the correct application method.
- Save proof of submission.
- Never assume that a previous year’s requirements are still valid.
- Confirm important information against the latest provider information.
October 2026 Bursary Deadline Checklist
- Identify every October bursary that matches your qualification.
- Sort the opportunities according to their closing dates.
- Apply for the earliest deadline first.
- Prepare your supporting documents in advance.
- Check each individual bursary’s eligibility requirements.
- Submit applications before the final day whenever possible.
- Keep confirmation emails and application reference numbers.
- Continue checking for November and December 2026 bursary opportunities.
More Bursaries for 2027
If none of the October opportunities match your qualification, do not stop searching. New bursaries can open throughout the year, while existing programmes may have different application cycles.
- View all Bursaries for 2027
- Government Bursaries South Africa 2027
- Engineering Bursaries South Africa 2027
- Accounting Bursaries South Africa
- Commerce Bursaries South Africa
- Latest Bursary Alerts
- Bursaries Open All Year Round
Grads24 will continue updating this page as new October 2026 deadlines are confirmed or existing application information changes.