South African Reserve Bank Bursary (SARB) is the central bank of South Africa that strives to achieve and maintain the country’s price stability of balanced and sustainable economic growth.

On 30 June 2026 SARB celebrates its 100 years of service to the citizens of South Africa and continues to be committed to its constitutional mandate.

They are mandated to protect the value of the Rand by keeping inflation low and steady through interest rates. They are responsible for Monetary Policy, Financial Stability, Prudential Regulation, Financial Markets, Financial Surveillance, Payments and Settlements, Statistics, Research, and Banknotes and Coin.

They identify and mitigate risks that may disrupt the financial system, prevent abuse of the financial system, regulate cross-border transactions, financial institutions, and market infrastructures, and support financial stability.

SARB has the sole mandate to create and destroy banknotes and coins in South Africa and they manage South Africa’s gold and forex reserves. They focus on economics, financial stability, banking, and financial emerging trends.  

They are responsible to ensure the banking, money, and financial systems and meet the community requirements and are consistent with international developments. They assist South Africa with data on the macroeconomic policy and provide the South African community and stakeholders regular feedback regarding the country’s monetary and economic status. 

Closing date of the bursary

The application deadline is 31 October 2026 

If you have not received feedback within one month of the closing date, consider your application has been unsuccessful. 

About This Bursary

South African Reserve Bank Bursary (SARB) has identified a shortage of skills in South Africa and will provide bursaries to those who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and want to study in the desired fields where there is a shortage of skills.

The Bank fully supports corporate social initiatives and through its External Bursary Scheme, it offers many annual Bursary options for Matriculants who need financial aid to attend university for full-time studies. 

All bursaries granted from the first academic year, including costs incurred, will be reviewed annually and the student does not need to re-apply for a bursary. Students must submit their final examination results to SARB before 31 December each year.

To be eligible for further funding the student must complete the academic year. Successful applicants will need to sign a contractual agreement with SARB where the applicant will need to work for the Bank for the duration of the study time that the bursary was awarded.

Students awarded with bursaries will be provided work vacation opportunities funded by SARB. 

What Does the Bursary Cover?

• University Accommodation
• Full Tuition
• Once-off payment for textbooks

Who Can Apply?

Students who are currently studying Matric or have passed Matric and need financial help for full-time studies. Bursaries may be awarded to those who are interested in the following academic fields:

• Economics
• Actuarial Science
• Mathematical Statistics
• Information Technology
• Finance
• Law 
• Accounting
• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Social Work

Minimum Criteria Requirements: 

• South African Citizen
• Proof of acceptance from an accredited South African University
• Matric / Grade 11 Examination Results to be a minimum average of 70%
• Proof of Financial Circumstances
• Younger than 30 years of age

Application Requirements:

Submit the following documents with the application form:

• Certified copy of ID Document 
• Certified copy of Matric certificate  
• Motivational letter of 250 words
• If current – Certified copy of Matric June results or certified copy of final Matric results

How to Apply?

To apply for the bursary, please ensure that you have completed the application form with all the required information. The application form needs to be sent to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) before the closing date on 31 October 2026.

You can apply for the bursary online, post, fax, or email.

Once you have downloaded and completed the application form, you can forward it to Mr. John Legoete.

P.O. Box 30632

Braamfontein

Fax: 086 609 7183

Email: applications@careerwise.co.za

To apply online, you need to do so via the Career Wise website using promotional code: SARB2026

You can find further information on the SARB website: www.resbank.co.za

Contact information

CareerWise administers the bursary on behalf of SARB and for further information or any queries they can be contacted directly.

Tel.No. 086 100 7787 / 011 258 4464

Email: info@careerwise.co.za