Sasol bursary — chemicals & energy

Sasol Bursary 2027: full-cost engineering & science funding

Two streams — Mainstream (no income cap, year-for-year work-back) and Foundation (means-tested at R600k household income). 2027 academic year applications close 17 May 2026.

Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers

Open Sasol Bursaries portal

Apply on: sasolbursaries.com
2027 window: 1 April – 17 May 2026
Outcome: End November 2026
Foundation income cap: R600,000 household
Mainstream age cap: Under 30
Helpline: 0860 106 235 (Adcorp)

Who can apply

South African citizen by birth
Mainstream undergraduate: Grade 11 or matric with Level 6 (70–79%) in Mathematics AND Physical Science; Level 5 (60–69%) in English; under 30 at application
Mainstream B.Eng.Tech (Mine Surveying, UJ only): Level 5 (60–69%) in Maths, Physical Science and English
Mainstream Postgraduate: under 30, minimum 65% in 2025 Honours/4th-year courses
Foundation: same academic minimums + combined household income < R600,000/year; under 25; first undergraduate degree only; matriculated within one year of application
Current university students need minimum 50% average across all courses, no failed modules
Full-time study only at an approved SA public university — UNISA, distance learning, diplomas and dual degrees are excluded
Mathematical Literacy and Technical Maths are NOT accepted

What you'll need

Certified SA ID (less than 3 months old)
Grade 11 results (for matric learners) or full matric certificate (for first-years)
Academic transcripts on institutional letterhead for current students (2nd/3rd year, Honours, Master's)
For Foundation: parents'/guardians' latest payslips (or affidavits of unemployment)
For Foundation: parents'/guardians' certified ID copies
For Foundation: proof of household residence
Affidavit explaining any missing documents

Step by step

Confirm which stream fits you

Mainstream is the career-pipeline bursary — no income cap, but year-for-year work-back at Sasol. Foundation is means-tested (household income under R600,000) and has no formal work-back, but is currently closed pending re-opening as of mid-2026.
Open the Sasol Bursaries portal

Go to sasolbursaries.com and click Log In → Register. Verify your email and create a password.

Tip: Email and hard-copy applications are rejected outright. The portal is the only legitimate channel.
Choose your application track

Select South African Bursary Application, then Mainstream (or Foundation when reopened), then Undergraduate or Postgraduate.
Complete every section

Blue ticks appear on the nav bar when each section is complete. Save and continue lets you return — use it. The application takes 1–2 hours to do properly.
Upload supporting documents

Certified ID, Matric/transcripts, and (for Foundation) the full means-test pack. Documents must be clearly readable and certified within the last 3 months.
Submit before 17 May 2026 at 16:00

Accept the disclaimer and submit. A confirmation email is sent. Save the reference number — you'll need it if you call to query status.

Tip: Late submissions are auto-rejected. Don't leave it to the last day — the portal slows down significantly in the final 48 hours.
Pass the psychometric assessment and interview

Shortlisted candidates complete online psychometric testing followed by a structured panel interview. Initial outcomes by end September 2026; final outcomes by end November 2026.

Mainstream vs Foundation — at a glance

Feature	Mainstream	Foundation
Funder	Sasol Limited (corporate)	Sasol Foundation (NPC)
Focus	Career pipeline into Sasol	Broad STEM upliftment + fence-line communities
Means test	No income cap	Household income < R600,000/year
Work-back	Year-for-year service	No formal work-back
Age cap	< 30 at application	< 25 at application
2027 status	OPEN (1 Apr – 17 May 2026)	Currently closed pending re-opening

What each stream covers

Mainstream Undergraduate: Tuition + registration, books and pocket money, meal allowance, accommodation allowance, once-off computer and calculator allowance, vacation work after 2nd/3rd year, psychosocial support.
Mainstream B.Eng.Tech (Mine Surveying): Tuition, registration, exam fees, books, pocket money, accommodation and meals, plus practical training at Sasol sites.
Mainstream Postgraduate: Monthly stipend covering tuition, registration, research costs, accommodation and study-related expenses; access to Sasol technical mentors.
Foundation: Registration, tuition (no payment for repeat modules), book allowance, monthly stipend, meal and accommodation allowance, once-off computer/calculator allowance, plus psychosocial support and graduate development assistance.

Fields funded — undergraduate

Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Industrial and Mining Engineering; Chemistry (to Honours); Geology (to Honours); Metallurgical Engineering; Data Science (Computer Science, Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics); and B.Eng.Tech in Mine Surveying (University of Johannesburg only).

Postgraduate fields

M.Sc / M.Eng / PhD in:

Chemical Engineering — Fluid Dynamics, Process Modelling, Reactor Technology, Thermodynamics
Chemistry — Analytical, Catalysis, Polymer Science, Environmental
Cyber Security
Data Science

All with a sustainability research focus.

The bursary-to-permanent pathway

Bursary funds your 4-year B.Eng / B.Sc.Eng (or 3-year B.Sc + Honours)
Vacation work at Sasol sites (Secunda, Sasolburg, Natref, mining operations) typically in years 2 and 3, during the December–January university recess. Carries a stipend, requires medical and security clearance, and counts toward university experiential learning credits
On graduating, bursars enter Sasol's Graduate Development Programme (GDP) — a mandatory 36-month structured rotation (70% on-the-job, 20% mentoring/coaching, 10% formal training) as an Engineer- or Scientist-in-Training
Successful GDP completion converts to a permanent role. Since 2020, Sasol has awarded 500+ Mainstream bursaries and permanently placed 300+ engineers and scientists via the GDP.

Work-back obligation

Mainstream carries a service contract with a work-back and/or pay-back obligation. Sasol's guidance describes it as year-for-year at a Sasol Group operation (Secunda, Sasolburg, Natref, Sasol Mining, or corporate offices) after graduation.

If Sasol cannot place a graduate, the work-back may be waived. If the graduate declines placement, the bursary value becomes repayable.

Foundation has no formal work-back — it's a developmental bursary.

Common reasons applications are rejected

Maths Literacy or Technical Maths instead of Core Maths
Below the 70% (Mainstream) / 60% (B.Eng.Tech) Maths or Science threshold
Studying via UNISA, distance, or part-time
Diploma, dual-degree, or already in an extended/repeat year
Application submitted by email or after 16:00 on 17 May 2026
Missing certified ID, transcripts, or (Foundation) household income proof
More than one application per applicant
Not an SA citizen by birth
Over the age cap (30 Mainstream / 25 Foundation)
Household income above R600,000 (Foundation only)

Contact

Helpline: 0860 106 235 (administered by Adcorp on Sasol's behalf)
Email: berlyne.rasool@adcorpgroup.com (Berlyne Rasool)
Portal: sasolbursaries.com/portal/register

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sasol Bursary fully funded?

Yes — Mainstream covers tuition, accommodation, meals, books, a once-off laptop/calculator allowance, and a monthly stipend. Foundation covers the same plus psychosocial support and graduate development assistance.

Can I apply with Maths Literacy?

No. Core Mathematics is mandatory. Technical Maths is also rejected. Mathematical Literacy disqualifies you immediately.

Does Sasol fund UNISA students?

No — UNISA and other distance learning programmes are explicitly excluded. Full-time, contact-based study at an approved SA public university only.

Does Sasol fund diplomas?

No, only B.Eng, B.Sc, B.Eng.Tech (Mine Surveying) and postgraduate M.Sc / M.Eng / PhD.

Is there a household income cap?

Only for the Foundation bursary — less than R600,000 combined per year. Mainstream has no income cap.

Do I have to work back at Sasol?

Mainstream — yes, year-for-year via the Graduate Development Programme. Foundation — no formal work-back.

When will I hear if I was successful?

Initial outcomes by end of September 2026; final outcomes (successful or unsuccessful) by end of November 2026.

Can I apply to both Mainstream and Foundation?

No. Only one application per student is permitted.

Can postgrads study Cyber Security on the Sasol bursary?

Yes — Cyber Security is one of the postgraduate fields, alongside Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Data Science. All postgraduate research must have a sustainability focus.

What if I have no internet access?

Call the Adcorp-administered helpline on 0860 106 235 for assistance. You can also visit a Sasol-supported community computer centre in fence-line communities.

Related guides

How to apply for Sasol jobs

Once your bursary is done and you've completed the GDP, you become a permanent Sasol employee — full career path.

How to apply for NSFAS 2026

If you don't get Sasol, NSFAS is the next option — household income under R350,000.

SAICA Thuthuka Bursary

Alternative full-cost bursary for B.Com Accounting (CA stream).

Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.