About this opportunity
Art is one of the fields where talent is plentiful and funding is not. The South African Reserve Bank Full Art Scholarship is an annual, year-long full scholarship awarded to one qualifying Fine Arts student for the 2027 academic year, offered under the bank’s External Bursary Scheme.
It is open across four study routes rather than a single year of study. You can apply if you will be registered in the final year of a four-year undergraduate degree in Fine Arts, in an Honours degree in Fine Arts after a three-year undergraduate degree, in a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, or in a one-year Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts following a three-year undergraduate diploma.
The selection criteria are clear: South African citizenship, younger than 35, an average pass mark of 65 percent in your current year of study, and financial need, meaning you cannot afford to attend university without the scholarship. Your portfolio does most of the talking, since the application asks for images of six to eight artworks produced in 2025 and 2026 alongside a 300 word artist statement.
Applications must be returned on or before 30 September 2026, and the bank states plainly that applications will not be accepted after the closing date. If you have not been contacted within one month after the closing date, accept that your application was unsuccessful.
What you receive
- A full, year-long scholarship for Fine Arts study in the 2027 academic year
- Awarded annually to one qualifying student
- Open to undergraduate, Honours, Master’s and one-year Advanced Diploma routes in Fine Arts
- Three submission channels, online, by email and by post
- Offered under the SARB External Bursary Scheme, which addresses the severe shortage of skills in South Africa
Who can apply
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be younger than 35 years old
- You must have achieved an average pass mark of 65 percent in your current year of study
- You must be in financial need, unable to afford to attend university without a scholarship
- You will be registered for one of these qualifications in the 2027 academic year: final year of a four-year undergraduate degree in Fine Arts, Honours degree in Fine Arts following a three-year undergraduate degree, Master’s degree in Fine Arts, or a one-year Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts following a three-year undergraduate diploma
- Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of 30 September 2026
Who should not apply
- Applicants who are not South African citizens
- Applicants aged 35 or older
- Students outside the listed Fine Arts qualifications
- Applications submitted after 30 September 2026
Documents to prepare
- A completed application form, filled in full
- Proof of acceptance at a recognised tertiary institution
- Your academic transcript for 2025 and 2026
- Images of 6 to 8 artworks produced in 2025 and 2026
- An essay of 300 words motivating your application
- A certified copy of your South African identity document
How to apply
- Open the South African Reserve Bank bursary application portal and start a new application.
- Enter the promotional code SARBART27 when the portal asks for it.
- Complete Section 1 with your surname, first names, ID number, citizenship, gender, age, date of birth, contact details, email and postal address.
- Complete Section 2 with the name of your institution, your student number and your degree or diploma, and list any other bursaries you have applied for and any grants already confirmed.
- Attach your proof of acceptance at a recognised tertiary institution and your academic transcript for 2025 and 2026.
- Attach images of 6 to 8 artworks you produced in 2025 and 2026.
- Write your artist statement of no more than 300 words, introducing yourself, your art, why you should receive the scholarship and your need for financial support.
- Attach a certified copy of your South African identity document and complete the applicant declaration.
- Submit on or before 30 September 2026. Applications are not accepted after the closing date.
- Alternatively email your application to sarbbursary@ttibursaries.co.za, or post it to Dimpho Nkoana, POSTNET Suite 101, Private Bag X153, Bryanston 2021.
Selection process
- Applications are only considered if the form is completed in full and every listed item is included.
- The closing date is 30 September 2026, and applications are not accepted afterwards.
- Candidates are assessed against citizenship, age, an average pass mark of 65 percent in the current year of study, and financial need.
- The portfolio of 6 to 8 recent artworks and the 300 word artist statement are reviewed as part of the application.
- If you have not been contacted within one month after the closing date, accept that your application was unsuccessful.
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Who can apply for the SARB Full Art Scholarship?
South African citizens younger than 35 who have achieved an average pass mark of 65 percent in their current year of study and who are in financial need, and who will be registered for one of the listed Fine Arts qualifications in the 2027 academic year.
Which qualifications are covered?
The final year of a four-year undergraduate degree in Fine Arts, an Honours degree in Fine Arts following a three-year undergraduate degree, a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, and a one-year Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts following a three-year undergraduate diploma.
What do I need to submit with the form?
Proof of acceptance at a recognised tertiary institution, your academic transcript for 2025 and 2026, images of 6 to 8 artworks produced in 2025 and 2026, a 300 word essay motivating your application, and a certified copy of your South African identity document.
When is the deadline?
Application forms must be returned on or before 30 September 2026. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.
How will I know if I was successful?
If you have not been contacted within one month after the closing date, accept that your application was unsuccessful.
How much is the scholarship worth?
The call describes it as a full, year-long Art Scholarship for the 2027 academic year but does not publish a monetary value.
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.
