FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary Requirements and How to Apply
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) Honours Bursary is a postgraduate funding opportunity aimed at South African citizens who intend to enrol in full-time honours degree programmes at public universities.
Check Your Personalized Bursary Options
Step 1: Choose Study Level
Step 2: Choose Field of Study
Step 3: Describe Your Interest
Tell us if you want bursaries, scholarships, admissions, or student loans?
The bursary focuses on students who have recently completed their undergraduate studies and wish to pursue their first postgraduate qualification.
The programme is aligned with FREF’s mission to support access to higher education in key fields for individuals from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary Fields of study
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Sciences
- BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
- Biosciences
- Business Information
- Climate Sciences
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Financial Management
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Information Management
- Information Science
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Renewable Energy
- Risk
- Sciences
- Society and Sustainability
- Statistics
Eligibility requirements for the FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Age requirement: between 21 and 35 years old.
- Must have completed Matric and achieved a minimum of 60 % in Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy).
- Must have completed an undergraduate degree between certain recent years (for example, 2022-2026) and achieved an overall average of at least 60 %.
- Must be enrolled in a full-time, one-year honours degree programme for the upcoming academic year (for example, the 2026 year).
- Must be pursuing their first postgraduate qualification (i.e., the honours is their first postgraduate level).
- Household income requirement: combined gross family income must not exceed a stated threshold of R700,000 per annum.
- The honours must be at a public university in South Africa.
Application process for the FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary
To apply:
- Complete the online application form on the FREF bursary portal (administered by partner organisations for FREF).
- Upload clear, certified copies of required supporting documents. These include:
- South African ID document.
- Matric certificate.
- Full academic record/transcript of the undergraduate degree.
- Proof of acceptance or provisional acceptance for the honours programme at a public university.
- Proof of household income for parents/guardians (payslips, affidavits, audited statements, banking statements or SASSA letters).
- If applicable, disability documentation (EEA1 form and medical note).
- Apply before the closing date. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Closing date for the FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary
For the 2026 academic year, the closing date is 1 December 2026.
Applicants should check the official FREF bursary page for any updates or changes to the deadline.
Contact details for the FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary
- Administrator: The bursary is administered via the partner platform (e.g., Feenix) on behalf of FirstRand Empowerment Foundation.
- Telephone: 063 968 7544
- Email: support@bursaries.feenix.org (for queries related to the bursary application).
- Application portal and additional details can be found on the bursary portal and FREF website.
FAQs
+ Who can apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary?
South African citizens aged 21-35, who have completed an undergraduate degree (recently) with an average of at least 60%, and who will enrol in a full-time honours degree in a public university.
+ What fields of study are covered by this bursary?
Fields include Accounting, Actuarial Science, Agricultural Sciences, Psychology, Biosciences, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Financial Management, Information Systems, Law, Mathematics, Physics, Renewable Energy, Risk Sciences, Society & Sustainability, and Statistics.
+ Is this bursary only for first-time postgraduate students?
Yes. Applicants must be pursuing their first postgraduate qualification (honours) and not already hold a postgraduate degree.
+ What is the minimum matric mathematics requirement?
Applicants must have achieved a minimum of 60% in Mathematics (NOT Mathematical Literacy) in Matric.
+ What is the income limit for household gross income?
For the 2026 cycle the household gross income must not exceed R700,000 per annum. Previous cycles indicated R600,000.
+ What does the bursary cover?
Covers tuition fees, book allowance, travel or living allowance, food vouchers, and airtime allowance in past cycles.
+ How do I apply for the bursary?
Complete the online application form on the FREF bursary portal, upload all required certified documents, and submit before the closing date.
+ What is the closing date for the 2026 bursary cycle?
The closing date for the 2026 cycle is 1 December 2026.
+ Do recipients need to enter into a work-back contract?
There is no publicly indicated work-back contract for this honours bursary. Applicants should review the award letter when selected.
+ Where can I get help if I have questions about my application?
Contact the bursary administrators: telephone 063-968-7544 or email support@bursaries.feenix.org.
🎓 Download Our Bursary Application Checklist
Download our free Application Checklist to make sure you do not miss any required documents. Submitting a complete application is key to being shortlisted.
📥 Download Checklist (PDF)