Graphic Design and Game Graphics Bursaries 2027

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

As a graphic designer, you’ll be responsible for crafting visual communications that solve problems and capture audiences.

Your creative expertise will combine symbols, images, and text to convey ideas and messages that leave a lasting impact.

Here are the top bursaries and scholarships to help you achieve your dreams:

Absa Fellowship/Scholarship Programme: Discover your potential with Absa’s prestigious program.
Academy of Digital Arts Bursaries: Transform your creativity into a career with ADA’s support.
BBD Bursary: BBD’s bursary is your ticket to a world of innovative design.
Capitec Bank Bursary: Capitec Bank invests in your future with their generous bursary.
Cipla Bursary: Cipla’s bursary helps you bring your creative vision to life.
Dentsu SA Bursary: dentsu SA’s bursary propels you into the world of graphic design.
Department of Correctional Services Bursary: Make a difference with the Department of Correctional Services’ bursary.
Friends of Design Bursaries: Friends of Design helps you turn your passion into a career.
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Bursary: Explore the intersection of design and agriculture with this bursary.
Gauteng Department of e-Government Bursary: Join the digital revolution with the Gauteng Department of e-Government’s bursary.
Gauteng Provincial Treasury Bursary: Discover your potential with the Gauteng Provincial Treasury’s bursary.
Generation Google Scholarship: Women in Gaming: Empower your gaming career with Generation Google’s scholarship.
Hollywood Foundation Bursary: Bring your creative vision to life with the Hollywood Foundation’s bursary.
iStudent Academy Bursary Competition: Showcase your skills and win with iStudent Academy’s competition.
Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary: Mpumalanga Provincial Government invests in your future.
North West Provincial Government Bursaries: Discover your potential with the North West Provincial Government’s bursaries.
Pyrotec Bursary: Pyrotec’s bursary fuels your passion for design.

Update note (checked September 2026): arts council, SETA, municipal, college and company bursaries for the creative industries have varied timing, with many advertising for 2027 between August 2026 and January 2027 and some offering rounds only in certain years. Open each linked page for the latest confirmed status before you apply.

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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.