Absa Fellowship Programme 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 10 September 2026
Provider: Absa
Field of study: Engineering, Bioresource Engineering, Construction Engineering, Drama and Theatre
Study level: Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

Applications for the 2027 intake closed on 10 September 2026.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 10 September 2026 Watch the Absa Fellowship portal from mid-2027 for the 2028 intake. Latest update ↓

The Absa Fellowship Programme is more than a bursary. Each year Absa selects about 50 first-year students from South Africa and nine other African countries and funds their whole degree, then puts them through leadership and entrepreneurship development, mentoring and networking so they graduate ready to build businesses and lead. It is administered for Absa by Fundi.

About the Absa Fellowship Programme

Covers full tuition, accommodation, a laptop, textbooks, a meal allowance, a monthly stipend, a data allowance and medical aid for the full degree.
Adds leadership and entrepreneurship training, mentoring by Absa leaders and membership of the fellowship network.
Fields: commerce; humanities and social sciences; science including health sciences (but not medicine or veterinary science); technology, engineering and mathematics; creative arts; and digital and data design.
About 50 fellows are selected each year.

Absa Fellowship eligibility requirements

Citizen of South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda or Zambia.
Aged 18 to 25.
At least a 65% average in the June preliminary or final Matric results.
Enrolling as a first-year undergraduate at a public university in 2027 in a listed field.
Applying in your own name; applications by parents or guardians are rejected.

How to apply for the Absa Fellowship

Go to absa-bsp.fundi.co.za, create a profile and complete the pre-screening questions.
Upload your ID, latest results and proof of university application before the closing date of the next round.
If you pass pre-screening, you receive a voucher code by email for the online psychometric assessment; complete it by the deadline given.
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed, and Absa makes the final selection before the academic year starts.

Absa Fellowship closing date

10 September 2026 for the 2027 intake, now closed. The 2028 intake dates are not yet published.

Contact details

Email: Absafellowship@fundi.co.za
Website: absa.africa/fellowship

Top achievers should also apply to the Moshal scholarship (31 December 2026), the Mastercard Foundation scholarship and the Nedbank bursary.

FAQs

1. When does the Absa Fellowship close for 2027? +

The 2027 intake closed on 10 September 2026. Watch for the 2028 intake from mid-2027. No late applications are accepted, and the psychometric assessment must be completed by the date in your invitation.

2. What is the Absa Fellowship Programme? +

A full scholarship plus leadership and entrepreneurship development for about 50 first-year students a year, run by Absa with Fundi, aimed at young Africans who want to become changemakers in business and their communities.

3. What does it cover? +

Full tuition, accommodation, a laptop, textbooks, a meal allowance, a monthly stipend, a data allowance and medical aid for the degree, plus mentoring, leadership training and access to the Absa network.

4. Who qualifies? +

Citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda or Zambia aged 18 to 25, with at least a 65% average, entering first year at a public university in 2027 in commerce, humanities and social sciences, science (excluding medicine and veterinary science), technology, engineering, mathematics, creative arts or digital and data design.

5. How is selection done? +

Pre-screening against the minimum requirements, an online psychometric assessment by voucher, shortlisting on assessment scores, interviews and final selection by Absa.

6. How do I apply? +

Online at absa-bsp.fundi.co.za in your own name, with your ID, latest results and proof of university application. Enquiries go to Absafellowship@fundi.co.za.

Update note (checked September 2026): applications for the 2027 intake closed on 10 September 2026. Watch the Absa Fellowship portal from mid-2027 for the 2028 intake. No late applications are accepted, and shortlisted applicants must complete the psychometric assessment within the time given in their invitation.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

About Absa

Private company (banking and financial services)

Absa Bank Limited operates in South Africa as a wholly owned subsidiary of Absa Group Limited, which is listed on the JSE. The Absa Group reports a presence in 15 African countries, with offices in the United Kingdom…

Read the full Absa profile →

Address: Absa Towers West, 15 Troye Street, Johannesburg, 2001
Phone: 0860 008 600
Email: absa@absa.co.za
Website: absa.co.za