About this opportunity
South Africa does not have a shortage of people who want to study economics. It has a shortage of the conditions that let them finish. The South African Reserve Bank runs its External Bursary Scheme for exactly that gap, offering competitive bursaries to prospective undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds who are entering their first year of an economics related degree in the 2027 academic year.
The call comes from the SARB Economic Research Department working with the SARB Academy, and it covers economics, economics and econometrics, economics and mathematical statistics, and economic science. You need provisional acceptance into one of those routes, an average pass mark of 70 percent in your current year of study with 70 percent and above in both English and Mathematics, and you must be younger than 30 and unable to afford university without a bursary.
The closing date is firm. The call states that late applications will not be considered, so the
Application timeline
is Wednesday, 30 September 2026. You can apply online, by email or by post, and the online route asks for the promotional code SARBERD27.
The bank does not publish a money value per bursary in this call, and it is worth reading the advert for what it is rather than assuming a figure. Shortlisted applicants are invited for interviews, and successful bursars sign an agreement with the SARB before the funding is confirmed.
What you receive
- A competitive external bursary toward undergraduate study in an economics related field
- Awarded by the SARB Economic Research Department in collaboration with the SARB Academy
- Open across four study routes: economics, economics and econometrics, economics and mathematical statistics, and economic science
- Three submission channels, online, by email and by post
- Part of the SARB External Bursary Scheme, established to address the severe shortage of skills in South Africa
Who can apply
- You have provisional acceptance into an undergraduate degree in the field of economics
- You have achieved an average pass mark of 70 percent in your current year of study
- You have a good command of English and Mathematics, at 70 percent and above
- You are younger than 30 years of age
- You are in financial need, meaning you are unable to afford to attend university without a bursary
- You will be entering your first year of undergraduate studies in the 2027 academic year
- The bursary is offered to students from disadvantaged backgrounds as part of the SARB External Bursary Scheme
- Late applications will not be considered after the closing date of 30 September 2026
Who should not apply
- Applications submitted after 30 September 2026 are not considered
- Applicants aged 30 or older
- Applicants who can afford university attendance without a bursary
Documents to prepare
- Examination results for your current year of study
- Proof of acceptance at a recognised institution, which may be a student number
- Any other supporting documents that evidence your application
- A completed SARB economics bursary application form
How to apply
- Open the South African Reserve Bank economics bursary application portal and start a new application.
- Enter the promotional code SARBERD27 when the portal asks for it.
- Complete the application form in full with your personal, academic and institutional details.
- Attach your examination results and your proof of acceptance at a recognised institution, which can be your student number.
- Attach any other supporting documents that evidence your need for the bursary and your results in English and Mathematics.
- Submit on or before Wednesday, 30 September 2026. Late applications are not considered.
- Alternatively email your completed application to sarbbursary@ttibursaries.co.za, or post it to Dimpho Nkoana, POSTNET Suite 101, Private Bag X153, Bryanston 2021.
- Make yourself available for an interview if you are shortlisted, and sign the bursary agreement with the SARB if you are successful.
Selection process
- Applications are submitted through the SARB online portal, by email or by post, and must be complete.
- The closing date for the submission of applications is Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
- Examination results, proof of acceptance at a recognised institution and supporting documents are checked against the stated requirements.
- Potential external bursars are required to make themselves available for interviews.
- Successful applicants are expected to sign a bursary agreement with the South African Reserve Bank.
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Who is the SARB External Bursary for?
Aspiring economists who will be entering their first year of undergraduate studies in the 2027 academic year, from disadvantaged backgrounds and unable to afford university without a bursary.
Which fields of study are covered?
Economics, economics and econometrics, economics and mathematical statistics, and economic science.
What marks do I need?
An average pass mark of 70 percent in your current year of study, with a good command of English and Mathematics at 70 percent and above.
Is there an age limit?
Yes, applicants must be younger than 30 years of age.
When does the bursary close?
The closing date for the submission of applications is Wednesday, 30 September 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
How much is the bursary worth?
The call does not publish a monetary value per bursary. It is a competitive external bursary under the SARB External Bursary Scheme, and successful applicants sign an agreement with the bank.
What happens after I apply?
Potential external bursars are required to make themselves available for interviews, and successful applicants are expected to sign a bursary agreement with the South African Reserve Bank.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
