Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed
- Provider
- Richfield
- Field of study
- Information Technology, Commerce
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Academic year
- 2026
- Last checked
- September 2026
Richfield says its bursary for the 2026 intake is closed and 2027 bursary updates will follow later in 2026; no closing date is published.
VerifiedRichfield teaches information technology and business at eight campuses and online, and holds DHET registration number 2000/HE07/008 as a private provider of higher education. It also funds some of its own students through the Richfield Bursary, which pays tuition. The Richfield Bursary round for the 2026 intake has closed. On its financial information page, Richfield says updates on the 2027 bursary intake “will be communicated later this year”. By 29 September 2026 it had published no opening date, closing date or new application instructions for 2027.
Tuition only, in part or in full
Richfield calls the award a tuition-only bursary. Its FAQ page describes internal bursaries that are both merit-based and need-based, which “typically cover tuition fees in part or in full”. Everything else is the student’s responsibility. Richfield names required materials such as a tablet PC as one example of a cost the bursary does not pay.
The bursary also does not cover Richfield’s admission charges. The FAQ lists a non-refundable application fee of R300 and a non-refundable registration fee of R1,500 for first-year students. The registration fee is paid on acceptance to secure a place and is then credited against the year’s tuition.
A possible service period after graduating
Richfield’s FAQ warns that bursary holders “may be required” to work for Richfield in their qualified field, at any of its national campuses, for a period equal to the length of the bursary. Richfield does not say who is asked to do this, whether the work is paid, or what happens if a graduate declines. Applicants should ask for these terms in writing before accepting an award.
Documents Richfield asked for in the last round
For the 2026 intake, Richfield required five documents:
- A certified copy of the applicant’s identity document.
- A one-page motivational letter explaining why the applicant deserves the bursary.
- Certified academic documents: the NSC (Grade 12) certificate or up-to-date results.
- Three months’ payslips for the learner, parent or guardian, or an affidavit if unemployed.
- Three months’ bank statements for the learner, parent or guardian.
Applicants then completed an online assessment, and Richfield contacted shortlisted candidates for a follow-up verification appointment. Richfield has not published the assessment criteria, a minimum mark or an income ceiling, and the 2027 requirements may differ once they are announced.
Study applications for 2027 are already open
The bursary and admission to Richfield are separate processes. Richfield’s application process page shows that applications to study in 2027 opened on 1 September, with orientation week on 25 January 2027. Applications go through the Richfield application portal. Richfield offers higher certificates, diplomas and degrees such as the BSc in Information Technology and the BCom, both on campus and online. It does not publish a closing date for study applications, saying only that dates vary by intake and programme capacity.
NSFAS does not apply, so what else pays Richfield fees
Richfield states that, as a private institution, it is not eligible for NSFAS funding, which goes only to public universities and TVET colleges. Besides its internal bursaries, Richfield offers once-off, termly or monthly payment options and points students to five finance partners: Student Hero, Standard Bank Student Finance, Capitec Education Finance, Nedbank Education Finance and Fundi. These are loans or loan-comparison services and must be repaid. The Standard Bank student loan and Capitec student loan pages explain two of them. For bursaries from outside funders, see our information technology bursaries list.