African Rainbow Minerals ARM Bursary 2027

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 6 March 2026
Provider: African Rainbow Minerals
Academic year: 2026
Last checked: September 2026

The 2026 round closed on 6 March 2026.

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

African Rainbow Minerals, the group founded by Patrice Motsepe, funds students at just two universities: the University of Pretoria and North-West University. Within that limit the bursary is complete, covering fees for the whole degree plus a laptop, residence and meals, and it starts from second year, so applicants need university results behind them.

About the ARM Bursary

University of Pretoria: accounting, the built environment, chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, metallurgical and mining engineering, computer science and informatics, information technology, and geology.
North-West University: chemical and minerals engineering, mechanical engineering and metallurgy.
Covers registration fees, tuition for the full duration of the course, textbooks, a laptop, accommodation in university residence and meals.

ARM Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen who has completed Matric.
Currently enrolled at the University of Pretoria or North-West University.
Completed first, second or third year of study.
A strong academic record, and not receiving another bursary.

How to apply for the ARM Bursary

Prepare a certified ID, a certified Matric certificate, your full university academic record on the institution’s letterhead and your university acceptance letter. There is no application form.
Email the documents to armbrightsparks@arm.co.za with “ARM Bursary 2027” in the subject line.
Submit before the closing date. Only shortlisted applicants are contacted.

ARM Bursary closing date

6 March 2026 for the 2026 academic year. Expect the first quarter of 2027 for 2027.

Contact details

Email: armbrightsparks@arm.co.za
Website: www.arm.co.za

Mining students should also apply to the Assmang bursary, the Sibanye-Stillwater bursary and see our mining engineering bursaries page.

FAQs

1. When does the ARM bursary close for 2027? +

The 2026 round closed on 6 March 2026. ARM runs a late cycle, advertising in January and closing in the first quarter, so expect the 2027 call between January and March 2027.

2. What is African Rainbow Minerals? +

The mining group founded by Patrice Motsepe, with interests in platinum, ferrous metals, coal and gold, and a partner in Assmang.

3. Which universities? +

The University of Pretoria and North-West University only. Students at other institutions do not qualify.

4. Which fields? +

At the University of Pretoria: accounting, the built environment, chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, metallurgical and mining engineering, computer science and informatics, information technology and geology. At North-West University: chemical and minerals engineering, mechanical engineering and metallurgy.

5. What does it cover? +

Registration fees, tuition for the full duration of the course, textbooks, a laptop, accommodation in university residence and meals.

6. Who qualifies and how do I apply? +

South African citizens with Matric who are already enrolled at one of the two universities and have completed first, second or third year, with a strong academic record and no other bursary. There is no form: email a certified ID, certified Matric certificate, your full academic record and your university acceptance letter, both on the institution's letterhead, to armbrightsparks@arm.co.za with 'ARM Bursary 2027' in the subject line.

Update note (checked September 2026): the 2026 round closed on 6 March 2026. ARM runs a late cycle, advertising in January and closing in the first quarter, so expect the 2027 call between January and March 2027. The details below are from the 2026 call.

About African Rainbow Minerals

Private company (diversified mining)

African Rainbow Minerals Limited (ARM) calls itself a niche, diversified South African mining company. Patrice Motsepe founded ARM, which is listed on the JSE and based in Sandton. ARM mines and beneficiates iron ore, manganese ore, platinum group…

Read the full African Rainbow Minerals profile →

Website: arm.co.za

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.