Heraeus Bursary Requirements, Application and Closing Dates

Securing financial aid is a critical first step for many students dreaming of a career in the sciences. 

The Heraeus Bursary, offered by Heraeus South Africa, is an excellent funding opportunity aimed at supporting academic excellence in specialised technical fields. 

Heraeus is a technology company with a strong focus on precious metals. 

Their South African subsidiary typically provides support to promising local students who plan to enter technical career paths within the country.

Heraeus Bursary Financial Coverage

The Heraeus Bursary is generally known to be a comprehensive financial package. 

Based on its last offering, the bursary aimed to reduce the financial strain of tertiary education substantially. 

The exact details of the coverage may change if the programme reopens, but typically included major expenses.

  1. Full tuition fees
  2. Accommodation costs
  3. A contribution towards textbooks and essential stationery

Fields of Study Supported by the Heraeus Bursary

This bursary is highly specific and targets students pursuing qualifications that directly relate to the business operations of Heraeus South Africa. 

If the bursary reopens, it is likely to continue supporting the following technical and scientific fields:

  1. Analytical Chemistry
  2. Chemical Process Technology
  3. Chemistry
  4. Mathematics (Pure and Applied)

Eligibility Requirements for the Heraeus Bursary

Students had to meet strict criteria to be considered for the last bursary intake. 

These requirements are likely to remain the minimum standard if the programme is offered again for the 2026 academic year.

  1. You must be a South African citizen.
  2. You must have successfully completed your Matric certificate.
  3. You must be registered or provisionally accepted to study full time in one of the approved fields.
  4. Your studies must be at a recognised public tertiary institution in South Africa.
  5. You must demonstrate good academic performance, especially in subjects related to your chosen field of study.

Heraeus Bursary Application Process 

The Heraeus Bursary does not typically use a formal online application portal. 

Instead, the process relies on submitting a comprehensive collection of documents via email. 

This process requires applicants to be organised and to ensure all supporting papers are correctly certified and attached.

  1. Gather all the required supporting documents and ensure they are certified copies where necessary.
  2. Draft a strong motivational letter explaining why you are an ideal candidate and why you need the bursary.
  3. Compile your most recent academic results, an updated Curriculum Vitae, and your certified ID copy.
  4. Collect certified copies of your parent or guardian’s ID and proof of their income (e.g., latest payslip).
  5. Submit all these documents via email to the Human Resources department.
  6. The email subject line must clearly state “Bursary Application”.
  7. Shortlisted candidates were historically contacted for an online interview.

Status Update for the 2026 Application Period

We must advise potential applicants that the Heraeus Bursary has not opened for the 2026 academic year. 

The programme operates on an intermittent basis, and applications have not been accepted for several years. The last known closing date was in July 2022. 

Students interested in this opportunity should regularly check the company’s official website or social media channels for any future announcements. 

If the bursary does reopen, the application period is likely to be brief.

Heraeus Bursary Closing Date

The application process for the Heraeus Bursary for the 2026 academic year is currently closed and no application date has been set. 

The last known closing date for applications was 30 July 2022.

Heraeus Bursary Contact Details

For any queries relating to the historical bursary programme or to check on the future status of the bursary, you may contact the Human Resources department at Heraeus South Africa directly.

  • Telephone: 041 404 2800

FAQs

1. Is the Heraeus Bursary open for 2026 applications? +
No. The Heraeus Bursary has not yet announced an opening for the 2026 academic year. The last confirmed application intake closed in July 2022. You must monitor their official channels for any new announcements.
2. What degree courses does the bursary specifically fund? +
The bursary typically focuses on technical and scientific fields. These usually include Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Process Technology, and Pure or Applied Mathematics.
3. Do I have to be registered at a specific university to apply? +
You must be studying, or planning to study, full time at a public South African tertiary institution that is recognised and accredited.
4. Does the Heraeus Bursary cover costs besides tuition? +
Yes, based on the last known offering, the bursary provides comprehensive funding. This includes full tuition fees, costs for accommodation, and an allowance for books and stationery.
5. Are Grade 12 students eligible to apply? +
Yes. Applicants must have completed their Matric certificate. Matriculants who have received provisional acceptance into a relevant course can apply during the open period.
6. Is there an online application form for this bursary? +
No. The last known application process required applicants to email all their supporting documents, including a CV, academic records, and motivational letter, to the Human Resources department.
7. How long after the closing date are applicants contacted? +
Historically, shortlisted candidates were contacted within 30 days of the application closing date. If you did not receive a response within that time, your application was considered unsuccessful.
8. What types of verification checks are performed on applicants? +
The application process for shortlisted candidates typically involves verification checks. These checks may include credit checks, criminal background checks, and verification of ID document authenticity.
9. Can I apply if I am already in my second or third year of study? +
Yes, as long as you are studying one of the listed fields full time at a recognised public institution and you can submit your most recent academic results.
10. What should be the subject line of the application email? +
The last instruction for the application was to use the clear and specific subject line: “Bursary Application”. This ensures the HR team processes the email correctly.

🎓 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)