The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) invites financially needy students to apply for Postgraduate (Honours) Bursaries / Bursary Programme for 2026 academic year.
Location: South Africa (Public Universities)
Job Type:Â Bursary
Closing Date: 01 December 2025
About the FREF Postgraduate Bursary:
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is committed to advancing education and empowerment through financial assistance to deserving South African students. The foundation’s 2026 bursary programme supports Honours-level studies at public universities across the country.
This initiative aims to bridge the financial gap for academically capable students from low- to middle-income households, empowering them to achieve their postgraduate goals and contribute positively to South Africa’s growth and development.
Fields of Study Covered:
FREF bursaries will be awarded for Honours studies (Postgraduate level) in the following disciplines;-
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Sciences
- BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
- Biosciences
- Business Information
- Climate Sciences
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Financial Management
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Information Management
- Information Science
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Renewable Energy
- Risk
- Sciences
- Society and Sustainability
- Statistics
What the Bursary Covers:
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary provides comprehensive financial support, covering;-
- Tuition fees
- Book allowance
- Travel or living allowance
- Food vouchers
- Airtime allowance
This ensures that recipients can focus fully on their academic and research goals without financial stress.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for the FREF bursary, applicants must;-
- Be a South African citizen
- Be between 21 and 35 years old
- Have completed Matric
- Have achieved a minimum of 60% in Mathematics(not Mathematical Literacy)
- Have completed an undergraduate degree between 2023 and 2025
- Have achieved a minimum overall average of 60%in undergraduate studies
- Be enrolled in a full-time, one-year Honours degree programme
- Be pursuing their first postgraduate qualification
- Be studying at a public university in South Africa
- Have a combined household income of not more than R700,000 per annum
Required Supporting Documents:
Applicants must submit clear certified copies of the following documents (not older than six months);-
- South African ID document
- Matric certificate
- Full academic record/transcript
- Proof of 2026 university acceptance or provisional acceptance
- Proof of household income (latest payslips, affidavits, bank statements, or SASSA grant letters)
- If applicable, a disability confirmation (EEA1 form and valid doctor’s note)
How to Apply for The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF): Postgraduate (Honours) Bursaries 2026
Click on the Apply Now button below to apply online for The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF): Postgraduate (Honours) Bursary Programme
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