SARB Scholarship South Africa 2026

The SARB Scholarship, offered by the South African Reserve Bank, is specifically designed to address South Africa’s critical skills shortage by supporting both undergraduate and postgraduate students in fields aligned with the Bank’s operational mandate. The programme invests in academic excellence and financial need to develop future professionals in disciplines essential to financial stability and economic growth.

Fields of Study Supported

Undergraduate scholarships support studies in disciplines that relate to the functions and activities of the South African Reserve Bank. Supported fields may include:

• Finance
• Accounting
• Economics
• Law
• Information Technology
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Other fields that support the Bank’s mandate

For postgraduate level (Master’s), the scholarship specifically supports:

• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Related areas supporting SARB’s data-driven financial analysis capacity

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be South African citizens
• Be under the age of 30 (undergraduate) or under 35 (postgraduate)
• Have achieved at least 70% in Matric June exams or most recent results
• Be accepted or enrolled full-time at a recognised South African university
• Demonstrate financial need and inability to fund studies

Additional for Postgraduate (Data Science):

• Have conditional or confirmed acceptance into a relevant Master’s programme
• Submit a quality research proposal or proof of academic excellence

What the Scholarship Covers

The SARB Scholarship may include:

• Tuition fee coverage for one academic year
• Access to vacation work opportunities (for undergraduate students)
• Full tuition coverage for Data Science postgraduate students
• Mentorship or involvement in SARB research projects (postgraduate level)
• Option to reapply annually, based on academic performance

Selection and Assessment

Selection is based on:

• Academic performance (minimum 70%)
• Demonstrated financial need
• Quality of application and documentation
• Strength of research proposal (for postgraduate applicants)
• Relevance of chosen study field to SARB’s mandate

Obligations for Successful Recipients

Recipients are expected to:

• Maintain full-time student status
• Submit year-end results (for continued funding)
• Complete all modules and degree requirements
• Engage in SARB-related research or activities (if required)
• Repay funds if withdrawing or failing to meet scholarship terms

How to Apply

Applicants must submit:

• Certified copy of South African ID
• Matric results or latest academic transcript
• Proof of acceptance or enrolment at a recognised institution
• Proof of household income (payslips, affidavit, grant, or pension proof)
• Research proposal or statement of purpose (postgraduate only)

All applications should be submitted through the designated SARB application platform, and all instructions must be followed strictly.

Timeline and Deadlines

• Application Deadline: 31 October 2025
• Late applications will not be accepted
• Successful candidates will be contacted individually
• No response indicates the application was unsuccessful
• Renewal is possible based on academic results and funding needs

Final Thoughts

The SARB Scholarship is a prestigious and transformative opportunity for South African students aiming to enter high-impact fields like finance, data science, and economics. By offering financial aid, professional mentorship, and practical learning experiences, the programme helps build a new generation of experts equipped to support South Africa’s economic future.