Key facts
- Status
- Check with the provider
- Provider
- Abe Bailey Travel
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The 2026 round has closed and its bursars travel at the end of 2026.
VerifiedThe Abe Bailey Travel Bursary has sent outstanding South African students on a study tour of the United Kingdom every year since 1951. Funded by the Abe Bailey Trust, it selects about 16 senior students and junior lecturers, one from each participating public university, who combine strong academics with exceptional leadership and service, and takes them to Britain for three weeks in November and December to meet universities, Parliament, business and cultural institutions.
About the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary
- A fully funded three-week tour of the United Kingdom in November and December.
- Covers return flights, accommodation, meals and travel within the UK, and a programme of visits to universities, Parliament, industry and cultural institutions.
- About 16 bursars a year, one nominated by each participating public university.
- Bursars join a network of past recipients that includes many of South Africa’s leaders in public life, business and academia.
Abe Bailey Travel Bursary eligibility requirements
- A registered full-time student in the third year of study or above, or a junior lecturer aged 25 or younger, at a South African public university.
- Academically strong.
- A demonstrated track record of leadership and service, on campus and in the wider community.
- Available to travel for the full tour at the end of the year.
How to apply for the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary
- Watch for your university’s internal call, usually issued by the student affairs, graduate centre or dean of students office between February and April.
- Submit the university’s application with a CV, your academic record, a motivation describing your leadership and community service, and references.
- Attend the campus selection interview. The university nominates its candidate to the Abe Bailey Trust, which confirms the group for the November tour.
Abe Bailey Travel Bursary closing date
Set by each university, usually between March and May, for the tour at the end of that year.
Contact details
- Abe Bailey Trust: abebailey.org/travel
- Your university’s student affairs or graduate office.
Student leaders should also look at the Mandela Rhodes scholarship, the Rhodes scholarship and the Absa Fellowship.
FAQs
1. When does the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary close for 2027? +
Each public university runs its own internal selection, usually with a closing date between March and May, and nominates candidates to the Abe Bailey Trust for the tour at the end of that year. The 2026 round has closed. Ask your university's student affairs or graduate office about the 2027 call early in 2027.
2. What is the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary? +
A fully funded three-week study tour of the United Kingdom in November and December, awarded by the Abe Bailey Trust since 1951 to about 16 senior students and junior lecturers from South Africa's public universities who combine strong academics with exceptional leadership and service.
3. What does it cover? +
Return flights, accommodation, meals, travel within the UK and a programme of visits to universities, Parliament, industry and cultural institutions, plus the alumni network of past bursars.
4. Who qualifies? +
Full-time registered students in their third year or above, or junior lecturers aged 25 or younger, at a South African public university, who are academically strong and can show a track record of leadership and service on campus and in the wider community.
5. How do I apply? +
Through your own university. Complete its internal application with a CV, academic record, a motivation describing your leadership and service, and references, and attend the campus selection interview. Each university nominates one candidate to the trust.
6. Who do I contact? +
Your university's student affairs, graduate centre or dean of students office, or the Abe Bailey Trust through abebailey.org.
Update note (checked September 2026): The Abe Bailey Trust’s travel bursary page gives no closing date. Students are nominated through their universities, which run their own selection. Source: abebailey.org.
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