South African Reserve Bank External Bursary Scheme 2026 for South African economics students. – Scholarship Opportunities

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Application Deadline: September 30, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 South African Reserve Bank External Bursary Scheme. The SARB is inviting aspiring economists who will be entering their first year of undergraduate studies in the 2027 academic year to apply for its external bursaries programme.

The SARB serves the economic well-being of all South Africans through maintaining price stability and financial stability. It is responsible for the regulation of the South African financial sector, the design and distribution of banknotes and coin, the management of interest rates, setting the cash reserve requirement for banks, and ensuring the stability of both the banking sector and the wider financial system. 

Bursary Purpose

• The SARB, as part of addressing the severe shortage of skills in South Africa, provides scholarships and bursaries to students in relevant fields of study who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
• In support of the corporate social initiatives of the SARB and its External Bursary Scheme, a number of external scholarships and bursaries are made available annually to qualifying prospective undergraduates. 
• The SARB’s Economic Research Department, in collaboration with the SARB Academy, hereby invites prospective undergraduate degree students to apply for competitive SARB bursaries in the fields of economics, economics and econometrics, economics and mathematical statistics, and economic science. 

Requirements to qualify for the bursary 

For students to be considered for the bursary, they must meet the following requirements: 

• have provisional acceptance into an undergraduate degree in the field of economics; 

• have achieved an average pass mark of 70% in their current year of study, with a good command of English and Mathematics (70% and above); 

• be younger than 30 years of age; and 

• be in financial need (unable to afford to attend university without a bursary). 

 How to apply 

• The closing date for the submission of applications is Wednesday, 30 September 2026. Late applications will not be considered. 
• Examination results, proof of acceptance at a recognised institution (a student number) and any other supporting documents must be submitted with the application. Use PROMO CODE: SARBERD27. 

Submit by post to: 

Dimpho Nkoana 

POSTNET Suite 101 

Private Bag X153 

Bryanston 

2021 

or 

Email: [email protected] 

 or 

Online applications: https://sarb-bursary-manager.replit.app/ 

Bursary agreement 

Potential external bursars will be required to avail themselves for interviews. Successful applicant(s) for the bursary will be expected to sign an agreement with the SARB. 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the South African Reserve Bank External Bursary Scheme