Wilmar Bursary 2027 - Study Fields +Eligibility Requirements

🔴 WILMAR BURSARY STATUS: 2027 CLOSED — Applications closed 19 August 2026

The Wilmar Bursary provides financial support to South African university students who are entering their final year of undergraduate study in 2027. The programme is aimed at students from historically disadvantaged and underprivileged backgrounds who have demonstrated strong academic performance and financial need.

For the 2027 academic year, the bursary covers a range of fields including Accounting, Agro-economics, Econometrics, Engineering, Finance, Human Resources Management, International Trade, Operations Management, Production Management, Marketing and sales-related fields, and Supply Chain.

The 2027 application period has now closed. Students interested in the next Wilmar Bursary intake should monitor this page for the next official application announcement.

About the Wilmar Bursary

Wilmar SA is part of Wilmar International, a global agribusiness group with operations across the agricultural commodity value chain. In South Africa, Wilmar is associated with food and agricultural products and has established education initiatives aimed at supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Wilmar Bursary is intended to help academically capable students complete their undergraduate qualifications by providing financial assistance with important study-related costs.

The 2027 programme specifically targeted students who would be entering their final year of undergraduate studies in 2027. Applicants also needed to meet Wilmar’s academic, citizenship, institutional and background requirements.

Wilmar Bursary Fields of Study

The Wilmar Bursary does not cover every possible university qualification. For the 2027 intake, funding was available to students entering their final undergraduate year in the following fields:

Accounting
Agro-economics
Econometrics
Engineering
Finance
Human Resources Management
International Trade
Operations Management
Production Management
Marketing
Sales-related qualifications
Supply Chain

If you are studying Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain Management or another related field, check the specific qualification requirements when the next Wilmar application opens.

Who Can Apply for the Wilmar Bursary?

Applicants for the 2027 Wilmar Bursary had to meet all of the programme’s minimum eligibility requirements. These included:

You must be a South African citizen.
You must be a Historically Disadvantaged Person (HDP) and/or from an underprivileged background, as defined under the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998.
You must currently be enrolled for an undergraduate degree in one of the approved fields of study.
You must be entering your final year of undergraduate studies in 2027.
You must be studying at an accredited higher education institution in South Africa.
You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% in your most recent examinations.

What Does the Wilmar Bursary Cover?

The 2027 Wilmar Bursary provides financial assistance towards several important costs associated with university study.

Tuition fees
Accommodation
Book allowance
Living allowance

The exact value awarded to an individual student is not publicly specified in the available 2027 information. Applicants should therefore not assume a fixed rand amount unless Wilmar confirms one in the official bursary terms.

Wilmar’s R25 Million Bursary Fund

Wilmar SA’s bursary programme is also significant because of a broader education commitment announced in 2026. Following a settlement confirmed by the Competition Tribunal, Wilmar agreed to establish a R25 million bursary fund over five years.

The fund is intended to financially support historically disadvantaged and underprivileged students pursuing tertiary education in the food and agro-processing field. The commitment also states that at least 50% of bursary recipients will be female students.

This R25 million commitment should not be interpreted as meaning that every student receiving the Wilmar Bursary will receive a R25 million award. It refers to the total bursary fund to be established over the five-year period.

What Documents Are Required?

Applicants for the 2027 programme were required to provide supporting documentation with their application. The listed documents included:

Certified copy of your South African ID
Recent head-and-shoulders photograph
Matric final results or matric certificate
Full academic record, including your 2026 Semester 1 results
Proof of household income from your parents or guardians, such as the latest payslips if employed or an affidavit if unemployed

Make sure documents are clear and complete when applications reopen. Missing compulsory documents can result in an application not being considered.

How to Apply for the Wilmar Bursary

The 2027 Wilmar Bursary application was submitted online. The application period has now closed.

When the next application cycle opens, applicants should use the official application channel specified by Wilmar and carefully follow the instructions provided.

Before submitting an application, make sure that you:

Meet all of the eligibility requirements.
Are studying one of the approved fields.
Are entering your final undergraduate year in the relevant intake year.
Have achieved the required academic average.
Have all required supporting documents ready.
Check your application carefully before submitting it.

Wilmar Bursary Closing Date

19 August 2026.

The application deadline for the 2027 Wilmar Bursary has passed. Late applications should not be submitted unless Wilmar officially extends or reopens the application period.

If you missed the deadline, keep checking this page for information about the next Wilmar Bursary intake.

How Are Wilmar Bursary Applicants Selected?

Selection is based on factors including financial need and academic potential. Applicants must therefore satisfy the minimum eligibility requirements before they can be considered.

Shortlisted applicants are contacted after the closing date. The final selection remains at Wilmar SA’s discretion.

What Does Wilmar SA Do?

Wilmar is a global agribusiness group involved in activities across the agricultural commodity value chain. Its businesses include areas such as edible oils, oilseed crushing, food products, sugar, plantations and other agricultural and consumer-related activities.

Wilmar’s South African operations are associated with food and agricultural products, making fields such as agriculture-related studies, engineering, supply chain, operations, finance and other business disciplines particularly relevant to the organisation’s activities.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Wilmar Bursary

Is the Wilmar Bursary open?

No. The Wilmar Bursary 2027 application period has closed. The closing date was 19 August 2026.

Who can apply for the Wilmar Bursary?

The 2027 programme was aimed at South African citizens from historically disadvantaged and/or underprivileged backgrounds who were enrolled in an approved undergraduate field and entering their final year in 2027. Applicants also needed to study at an accredited South African higher education institution and achieve at least a 70% overall average in their most recent examinations.

Which fields are covered by the Wilmar Bursary?

The 2027 fields included Accounting, Agro-economics, Econometrics, Engineering, Finance, Human Resources Management, International Trade, Operations Management, Production Management, Marketing, sales-related qualifications and Supply Chain.

Does the Wilmar Bursary cover tuition fees?

Yes. The 2027 programme information states that the bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation, a book allowance and a living allowance.

What average is required for the Wilmar Bursary?

Applicants for the 2027 programme needed a minimum overall average of 70% in their most recent examinations.

Can first-year students apply for the Wilmar Bursary?

No. The 2027 programme was specifically aimed at students who would be entering their final year of undergraduate studies in 2027.

Can I apply if I study at a university outside South Africa?

No. Applicants for the 2027 programme needed to be studying at an accredited higher education institution in South Africa.

When will the Wilmar Bursary open again?

Wilmar has not yet announced the next application date. If the programme continues, students should monitor this page and Wilmar’s official announcements for the next intake.

Other Bursaries You May Qualify For

If you are studying Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain or another related field, you may also want to explore our other bursaries in South Africa.

Important: Bursary requirements, fields of study, funding arrangements and application dates can change from one intake to another. Always check the latest official information from Wilmar SA when applications reopen.

This article was last updated in August 2026.