Bursaries Closing In December 2025 – Opportunities for South African Students 

A bursary is a type of financial aid that helps to cover partial or complete educational costs. Most bursaries are awarded based on a combination of academic performance, financial need, and personal commitment to education.

Unlike student loans, a bursary is a reward and does not need to be repaid. Therefore, bursaries are one of the best forms of financial aid for students who do not want future debt. December is an important month for South African students, as many bursary opportunities close by the end of the year. 

In this article, we will provide a list of bursaries closing in December 2025 and share practical tips to help you apply successfully. 

List Of Bursaries Closing In December 2025

Some institutions, including Regenesys Education, are still accepting applications for the 2026 intake. Therefore, for students applying late for the 2026 intake, December is their final opportunity to submit their bursary applications. 

These bursaries can be government or privately funded and are offered for a variety of purposes. Some are for specific fields of study, while others aim to improve access to higher education for particular communities.

Bursaries with Confirmed Closing Dates

Students who have applied for higher education programmes or have confirmed enrolment can still apply for bursaries in South Africa. Depending on the bursary, it can help to cover partial or complete education-related costs.

With only 2 weeks left until the end of the year, the December bursaries are closing soon. Students should research the requirements and submit the applications as soon as possible. 

The table below lists the bursaries closing in December: 

Bursaries with Unconfirmed Deadlines

In addition to the bursaries with confirmed deadlines listed above, there are also bursaries available with no deadlines. These may be bursary closing soon, but they have not announced a deadline. Additionally, these can be bursaries that accept applications throughout the year.

The list below includes bursaries that do not have a confirmed deadline:

• Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) Bursary 
• Heribert Nasch Bursary 
• Hulamin Bursary 
• JG Afrika Bursary 
• Kearney Bursary 
• Moshal Scholarship Program 
• Milkor Bursary 
• Mineral Processing Guru (MPG) Bursary 
• PG Group Bursary 
• Shell Bursary 
• WBHO Bursary 
• Worley Bursary 
• WSP Bursary 
• Advance Africa Scholarship
• Career Wise Bursaries

Bursaries with Ongoing Applications

There are also some bursaries available for South African students that do not have a deadline. These are bursaries that accept applications year-round.

Bursaries that accept continuous applications are ideal for students who wish to apply for mid-year intakes. At Regenesys Education, we offer multiple intakes for our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Listed below are a list of bursaries in South Africa that do not have deadlines.

• BBD Bursary
• Bester Bursary & Graduate Development Programme
• Shell
• TTI Bursary

Read more on What’s The Difference Between Undergraduate And Graduate Programmes? Essential Insights here

Documents Required for Bursary Applications in South Africa

When applying for bursaries in South Africa, it is important to submit correct and certified documents. These are required by bursary committees to evaluate the academic criteria, extracurricular activities, financial need, etc.

Listed below are some documents that are typically required for all bursary applications in South Africa:

• Certified copy of the South African ID
• Academic Transcripts with the Latest Results
• Proof of Household Income
• Proof of University Acceptance/Registration
• Motivational Letter
• Proof of Residence

Tips To Apply For Bursaries Closing in December

A bursary can be one of the best opportunities to help finance higher education. However, it is important for students to apply early, attach all the required documents, and provide correct information.

Some tips that students can follow when applying for bursaries closing soon:

• Check Eligibility: Make sure to check the requirements before you begin the application process. Since we are close to the deadlines, you do not want to waste precious time.

• Write a Strong Motivational Letter: Make sure your motivational letter clearly explains your academic goals. Keep your letter to the point and align it with the goal or the bursary.

• Personalise Each Application: Make sure to mention achievements and academic highlights that help you stand out, depending on the specifics of the bursary.

• Attach All Required Documents: Bursary applications in South Africa are competitive. Therefore, it is important not to miss out on any document. This could lead to your application being rejected.

For students who may not be accepted for a bursary, Regenesys Education offers a variety of student loans and other funding options. These help make it easy for students to manage the expense of higher education in South Africa.

Read more on Complete Guide to Online Bursary Applications for 2025 Undergraduate Studies in South Africa here

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Conclusion

Applying for bursaries closing in December requires students to be organised and prompt. Students should check requirements, submit correct information, and attach certified documents. With December bursary deadlines fast approaching, students should not waste time and begin their process right away.

Those interested in applying for bursaries with continuous application and unconfirmed deadlines, there is still time to apply for a programme. At Regenesys, we are accepting applications for the 2026 intake until February.
Visit the Regenesys Education website to explore our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

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