IDC Bursary South Africa 2025

The IDC, established in 1940, is a prominent national development finance institution in South Africa.

Owned by the government and overseen by the Department of Economic Development, the IDC plays a role in fostering economic growth and industrial development within the country and across Africa.

Its core focus lies in supporting youth enterprises and businesses through financial and non-financial aid.

About the IDC Bursary

The IDC Bursary program aims to bridge the financial gap for academically talented South African students pursuing undergraduate studies in specific fields critical to the nation’s development.

With a focus on empowering the next generation of industry leaders and entrepreneurs, the bursary provides comprehensive financial support to deserving candidates.

IDC Bursary Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the IDC Bursary, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. You must be a South African citizen.
  2. You must be no older than 26 years old.
  3. Academic Background:
    • Matric Students: If you are a Matric student, you must have achieved a minimum Admission Point Score (APS) of 75%.
    • Tertiary Students: If you are already enrolled in tertiary studies, you must maintain a minimum APS of 65%.
  4. You must be pursuing or intend to pursue a first undergraduate qualification in one of the following fields:
    • Commerce and Management Studies
    • Engineering
    • Applied Commercial Sciences
    • Law (limited to postgraduate for Finance, Accounting and Law only)
  5. You must be studying or intend to study at a recognized public University, University of Technology, or TVET College in South Africa. (Private colleges are not funded)
  6. You must demonstrate financial need through an affordability assessment conducted as part of the selection process.

IDC Bursary Application Requirements

Applications for the IDC Bursary are submitted online. You will need to create an account on the IDC Bursary Portal before applying.

Here’s a list of required supporting documents to be uploaded with your application:

  1. Certified copies of your ID document (not older than 6 months)
  2. Certified copies of your Grade 11 final results and Matric June results (if currently in Matric)
  3. Certified copy of your Matric certificate (if you have completed Matric)
  4. Certified copy of your latest academic results (if not studying this year)
  5. Certified copy of your 2025 mid-year (first semester) results (if currently studying)
  6. Proof of acceptance or provisional admission letter from your chosen tertiary institution
  7. Certified copies of your parents’ or guardians’ ID documents (not older than 6 months)
  8. Certified copy of an unabridged birth certificate (if your surname differs from your parents’)
  9. Certified copies of your parents’ or guardians’ proof of income (latest payslips, bank statements, SASSA letters, or relevant documentation depending on their employment status)

How to Apply

Applications for the IDC Bursary are typically open annually.

You should check the IDC Bursary website for the latest application dates and deadlines.

Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

How to Contact IDC Bursary

For any inquiries related to the IDC program, you can contact the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) directly:

  1. Email: [email protected]
  2. Tel: 011 269 3374

IDC Bursary Closing Date

The closing date for the IDC Bursary program for the 2024 academic year was September 30, 2024.

I recommend checking the IDC Bursary website for the upcoming application period and deadlines for the following year.