South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP) has opened its 2026 bursary program and is inviting all interested applicants to apply now. In order to apply to this Bursary program, read carefully through the details below.

Application closing date: 31 August 2026

The bursary is awarded each year for studies towards an Actuarial Science qualification (Bachelor of Science Degree & Bachelor of Economic Science Degree), only at one of the SAADP partner universities: UCT, UP or WITS.
 

Bursaries are renewable each year based on academic performance and availability of funds.

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, textbooks allowance, accommodation in residence, meal allowance, and a living allowance.

Over and above the monetary coverage, students will also receive mentorship; additional tutorials; academic and social support from full-time programme Managers located at the partner universities.

All candidates will receive acknowledgment of their application via email or SMS, once their application has been received.

• Step 1: applications will be screened to ensure they meet the basic requirements (the application was submitted before the deadline, in full, with all the required supporting documents and you met the university requirements),
• Step 2: the Selection Committee screens applications (this is external to the SAADP) and submit a list of shortlisted candidates to the SAADP (students who have been rejected at this stage will be notified via email or SMS),
• Step 3: Matric students will be required to submit their final matric results – the final screening will be based on your matric results and candidates who have not been successful wil be notified,
• Step 4:
  • – Matric students who have been approved will be invited to a selection interview, held by the Selection Committee (this is external to the SAADP), at WITS,
  • – University students who have been approved will be assessed by the Selection Committee (this is external to the SAADP), in a special meeting in December, after the final exam results are released,
• Step 5: successful candidates will be notified.

Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
Matric/ Grade 12 students:

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be currently in Matric
• You must achieve a minimum result of 80% for Mathematics in Matric
• You must achieve a minimum result of 80% for Physical Science in Matric
• You must achieve a minimum result of 80% for English in Matric
• You must intend on studying towards an Actuarial Science qualification (entering your 1st year of study in 2026)
• You must have applied to study at one of the SAADP partner universities: University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria or University of the Witwatersrand (to increase your chances of university acceptance, students are encouraged to apply to all 3 universities) (studies at any other university will NOT be accepted)
• Students from commercial streams: you must apply to study Actuarial Science at UCT (UCT accepts students without Physical Science)

University students:

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be from a previously disadvantaged background
• You must be currently studying towards an Actuarial Science qualification
• You must have achieved excellent academic results for your 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of study
• You must achieve a minimum result of 70% in all major subjects
• You must be studying at one of the SAADP partner universities: University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria or University of the Witwatersrand
• Students pursuing studies at other universities: you may apply if you also applied to and were accepted to one of the SAADP partner universities, towards an Actuarial Science qualification (but you turned down the offer and selected another university)

How to apply

Download and complete the application form in either of the following formats:
SAADP Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf)
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
Matric/ Grade 12 students:

• ID document (certified copy)
• 1 x recent photograph (passport sized)
• Grade 11 end of year results (certified copy)
• Grade 12 June results (certified copy)
• National Benchmark Tests results (to be submitted by 31 August at the latest, via the fax number below)

University students:

• ID document (certified copy)
• 1 x recent photograph (passport sized)
• Full academic transcripts, including most recent results (on institutions letterhead)

Applications must be submitted in one of the following ways:
1) Email: applications@saadp.co.za
(Insert the words “SAADP Bursary Application – Your Full Name” in the email subject line).

2) Post or courier:
PO Box 2460
Houghton
2041

3) Hand delivery:
60 Riviera Road
Office 115 Killarney Mall Office Towers
Houghton
Johannesburg
2041