Bowmans Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Key facts

Status
Applications open Closes 30 September 2026
Provider
Bowmans
Study level
Undergraduate, High school
Academic year
2027
Last checked
September 2026

The 2027 bursary is open and closes on 30 September 2026.

Naledi KhumaloReviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Bowmans is one of Africa’s largest corporate law firms, with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and across the continent. Its bursary is a full-cost award, covering everything a law student needs, and it is aimed at high achievers who cannot pay their own way. Applications for 2027 are open now.

About the Bowmans Bursary

  • Fields: law qualifications at recognised South African universities, for matriculants entering first year and for students already studying.
  • A full-cost bursary covering all study-related expenses.
  • Awarded on academic merit and financial need, with a route into the firm’s candidate attorney programme.

Bowmans Bursary eligibility requirements

  • South African citizen, in Matric or with Matric.
  • Studying, or accepted, for a law qualification at a recognised South African university.
  • At least a 70% overall average for the current year of study, with excellent results overall.
  • Proven financial need and a genuine passion for law. Preference goes to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

How to apply for the Bowmans Bursary

  1. Open the application at leap.ly and create a profile.
  2. Upload a certified ID, certified Grade 11 and latest Matric results, your Matric certificate if you have completed it, a full university transcript if you are studying, a motivation letter setting out why you deserve the award, and your parents’ or guardians’ proof of household income.
  3. Submit before 30 September 2026. Shortlisted students are interviewed by the firm.

Bowmans Bursary closing date

30 September 2026 for the 2027 academic year.

Contact details

  • Website: bowmanslaw.com
  • Chat support is available on the application form.

Law students should also apply to the Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr bursary (30 September 2026), the Canon Collins Leigh Day LLB scholarship and the funders on our LLB bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the Bowmans bursary close for 2027? +
30 September 2026, online through the Leap platform.
2. What is Bowmans? +
One of Africa's largest corporate law firms, with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban and across the continent, which funds law students and recruits candidate attorneys from its bursary programme.
3. What does it cover? +
A full-cost bursary covering all study-related expenses, which makes it one of the most generous law awards in the country.
4. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens in Matric or with Matric who are studying, or accepted, for a law qualification at a recognised South African university, with at least a 70% overall average for the current year of study, proven financial need and a genuine interest in law. Preference goes to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
5. How do I apply? +
Online at leap.ly/opportunities/980, uploading a certified ID, certified Grade 11 and latest Matric results, your Matric certificate if you have completed it, a full university transcript if you are studying, a motivation letter and your parents' or guardians' proof of household income.
6. What are the alternatives? +
The Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr bursary, which closes on the same date, the Canon Collins Leigh Day LLB scholarship and the funders on our LLB bursaries list.
Update note (checked September 2026): the 2027 bursary is open and closes on 30 September 2026. Applications are online only, through the Leap platform.

Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.

Apply on the provider’s website

About Bowmans

Law firm (corporate and commercial law)

Bowmans, known in South Africa for many years as Bowman Gilfillan, is one of Africa's leading corporate law firms. Bowmans has its headquarters in Johannesburg, further South African offices in Cape Town and Durban, and offices in Kenya,…

Read the full Bowmans profile →

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