Columbus Stainless Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Columbus Stainless, in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, is the only stainless steel producer in Africa and part of the Spanish Acerinox group. Its bursary programme funds students in metallurgy, engineering and finance in full, and most bursars join the company’s graduate programme at the Middelburg plant when they qualify.

About the Columbus Stainless Bursary

The bursary is all-inclusive, covering tuition, registration, books, accommodation and a living allowance, with paid vacation work at the plant. For 2027 it was offered in three streams:

• Accounting Sciences (BSc) or Finance (BCom): for learners in Matric in 2026 starting first year in 2027. Reference BurAccSc&Fin.
• Metallurgical Engineering (BEng): for students already enrolled in the degree. Reference METBURS2027.
• Material Sciences (Honours): for graduates intending to study the Honours in 2027. Reference BursMatScHon.

In other years Columbus has also funded industrial, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering, so check each advert for that year’s fields.

Columbus Stainless Bursary eligibility requirements

• South African citizen.
• For the accounting and finance stream: in Matric in the year of application with strong results in Mathematics and Accounting, and accepted for the degree at an accredited institution.
• For the engineering and Honours streams: enrolled in, or accepted for, the qualification, with an average of around 65% or higher in the most recent year.
• Willing to do vacation work in Middelburg and to join the company after graduating.

How to apply for the Columbus Stainless Bursary

1. Go to the recruitment section of columbus.co.za when the advert is published and select the bursary reference for your stream.
2. Complete the online application and upload: a certified ID; your Matric certificate or latest results; your full academic record; a CV; a head-and-shoulders photograph; and any other relevant certificates.
3. Submit before the closing date. Shortlisted applicants are assessed and interviewed in Middelburg.

Columbus Stainless Bursary closing dates

2027 undergraduate: closed 28 August 2026. 2027 postgraduate: closed 31 August 2026. The 2028 round is expected to close in late August 2027.

Contact details

• Columbus Stainless head office, Middelburg: 013 247 9111
• Online: columbus.co.za/contact-us (select Recruitment and Bursaries)

Students who missed the Columbus window should look at the other steel and mining funders on our mining engineering bursaries list, and accounting students at the funders on our commerce bursaries page.

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