Sage South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Sage is a global leader in accounting, payroll and business management software, with a significant South African operation. Sage Group is headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom, and its products help small and medium-sized businesses manage finances, pay staff and comply with tax rules.

Registered name

Sage South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Type

Private company (accounting, payroll and business software)

Fields funded

BCom accounting and finance, computer engineering, computer science and IT; any field for students with disabilities

Website

sage.com

Email

apply@StudyTrust.org.za

Phone

011 403 1632 (StudyTrust)

Sage in South Africa

Many South African accountants and bookkeepers first learned their trade on Pastel, the accounting software developed locally and later brought into Sage when Sage acquired Softline in the early 2000s. Sage’s South African products, including Sage Pastel, Sage Business Cloud Accounting and Sage payroll and HR solutions, are used by thousands of businesses, and many universities and colleges teach computerised accounting with Sage software.

Why Sage funds the missing middle

Sage’s External Bursary Programme targets the “missing middle”: students from families who earn too much to qualify for NSFAS but not enough to pay university fees. The household income band of R350 000 to R500 000 or R600 000 reflects that focus, according to BursariesAfrica’s guide and a provider record checked in August 2026. Sage restricts funding to computer science, engineering, IT and accounting or finance, the disciplines that feed software and financial technology skills.

Sage makes an important exception: students with disabilities may apply for undergraduate or postgraduate study in any field. The bursary carries no employment work-back obligation, because Sage frames it as a broad skills investment.

What the bursary covers

The Sage bursary covers tuition, stationery, books and accommodation, and can cover current fees and outstanding student debt, which often blocks missing-middle students from registering or receiving results. Matric applicants need at least 75% in Mathematics and Physical Science, and university students a consistent average of at least 65%.

StudyTrust runs applications

StudyTrust, a long-established bursary administrator, runs applications for Sage. The 2027 bursary is open and closes on 30 September 2026.

How to research Sage

Sage’s website blocked automated reading when BursariesAfrica checked, so read about Sage’s products in a browser and try a free trial of its accounting software if you study accounting. Prepare proof of household income carefully, since the income band decides eligibility, and include medical proof if you apply under the disability exception.

See the StudyTrust Missing Middle Bursary.