The Amazon Recruitment Bursary 2026 is an opportunity for eligible South African university students who are pursuing studies in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering and are interested in building a career in software development.
The programme is designed to support students academically while providing exposure to the professional technology industry. Successful candidates may also have the opportunity to complete a paid internship at Amazon and be considered for a full-time Software Development Engineer (SDE) position after completing their studies.
Applications are scheduled to run from 1 June to 30 September 2026.
If you are interested in software development, coding, artificial intelligence or machine learning, this bursary may be worth considering.
Amazon Bursary 2026 at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Amazon Recruitment Bursary 2026 |
| Field | Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering |
| Study level | University students |
| Institution | South African universities |
| Citizenship | South African citizens |
| Minimum average | 65% |
| Application period | 1 June – 30 September 2026 |
| Internship | Paid Amazon internship |
| Potential career path | Software Development Engineer |
What Is the Amazon Recruitment Bursary?
The Amazon Recruitment Bursary is intended to support students who are developing skills in software engineering and related areas.
The programme combines financial assistance with an opportunity for students to gain exposure to the technology industry.
For students interested in software development, this can provide an opportunity to connect their university studies with practical experience in a professional engineering environment.
The programme is facilitated through StudyTrust, with shortlisted candidates undergoing additional assessment as part of the recruitment process.
What Does the Amazon Bursary Cover?
The bursary provides full or partial funding, subject to applicable limits.
The listed areas of support include:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation, including residence or private accommodation
- Subsistence allowance
- Stationery and books
- Personal computer
- Transport costs
The exact funding available to an applicant can depend on the applicable bursary terms and funding limits.
Students should therefore review the official programme information carefully before applying.
Which Courses Are Covered?
The Amazon Recruitment Bursary focuses on specific technology and computing qualifications.
Eligible fields include:
Computer Science
Computer Science students develop knowledge in programming, algorithms, databases, software systems and computational problem-solving.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering combines computing and engineering concepts and can involve areas such as computer hardware, software and embedded systems.
Software Engineering
Software Engineering focuses on the design, development, testing and maintenance of software applications and systems.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Students specialising in Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) may also be considered where their studies fall within the eligible fields.
Who Can Apply for the Amazon Bursary?
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
To be considered, applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be studying at a South African university
- Be studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering
- Be in the final year of a three-year degree or third year of a four-year degree during 2026
- Plan to complete an Honours qualification at NQF Level 8 by 2027
- Have a minimum 65% academic average
- Demonstrate a strong interest in software development and coding
Applicants should carefully check their academic programme and year of study before submitting an application.
Academic Requirement
Applicants need a minimum academic average of 65%.
Your academic performance is an important part of the eligibility assessment, so make sure your latest results are available when preparing your application.
Meeting the minimum academic requirement does not necessarily guarantee selection. Applicants may still need to complete further assessment during the recruitment process.
What Happens After You Apply?
The application process does not necessarily end after submitting the StudyTrust application.
Candidates who are shortlisted may be required to complete additional assessments conducted as part of Amazon’s recruitment process.
This means applicants should be prepared to demonstrate more than academic performance.
Your understanding of programming, problem-solving ability, technical interests and previous coding experience may be relevant during the selection process.
Why Coding Experience Can Be Important
Students interested in applying should consider documenting the software projects they have completed.
These could include:
- University programming projects
- Websites
- Mobile applications
- Software applications
- GitHub projects
- Artificial intelligence projects
- Machine learning projects
- Automation tools
- Database applications
You do not necessarily need extensive professional experience to demonstrate an interest in software development.
A well-explained university or personal project can show how you approach problems, learn technologies and build solutions.
Amazon Software Development Engineer Opportunity
The bursary is connected to a potential career pathway in Software Development Engineering.
Software Development Engineers work on software systems and technology products that can operate at significant scale.
Depending on their role, engineers can work on areas involving:
- Software development
- Distributed systems
- Automation
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Cloud technologies
- Security
- Data and computing systems
Students interested in this career path should use their university studies to build strong programming and problem-solving foundations.
Amazon Internship Opportunity
One of the important aspects of the programme is the opportunity for selected students to complete a paid internship at Amazon during a university vacation.
During an internship, students can gain exposure to a professional software engineering environment and work alongside experienced technology professionals.
The internship can help students understand how software engineering concepts learned at university are applied to real-world projects.
Students may also be assessed for potential full-time employment after graduation.
Is Full-Time Employment Guaranteed?
Applicants should understand the difference between an opportunity for consideration and a guaranteed job offer.
The programme provides a potential pathway towards a full-time Software Development Engineer position, but students should not assume that completing the bursary automatically guarantees permanent employment.
Any employment opportunity would be subject to the applicable recruitment and selection process.
Bursary Obligations
Students selected for the programme may have obligations attached to the funding.
These include:
- Completing a paid Amazon internship during a university vacation
- Participating in training and development activities
- Being willing to accept a full-time role after graduation if one is offered
- Working for Amazon for a period equivalent to the number of years funded by the bursary
Applicants should read the official terms carefully before accepting the bursary.
Understanding the obligations is just as important as understanding the financial benefits.
How to Apply for the Amazon Bursary 2026
Applications are submitted through the StudyTrust online platform.
The application period is:
1 June – 30 September 2026
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Before applying, confirm that you:
- Are a South African citizen
- Study at a South African university
- Are in the required year of study
- Are pursuing an eligible qualification
- Have at least a 65% academic average
- Plan to complete Honours at NQF Level 8 by 2027
Step 2: Prepare your information
Have your academic and personal information available before starting the application.
It is also useful to prepare information about your coding experience and software projects.
Step 3: Complete the StudyTrust application
Submit your application through the official StudyTrust application process.
Step 4: Prepare for further assessment
Shortlisted applicants may undergo additional assessment as part of the Amazon recruitment process.
Students should therefore be ready to demonstrate their technical interest and problem-solving abilities.
Personal Statement Tips
A strong personal statement should explain why you are interested in software development and why the opportunity fits your career goals.
Rather than simply saying that you enjoy computers, provide specific examples.
For example, you could discuss:
- A programming project you completed
- Why you chose Computer Science or Software Engineering
- A technical problem you solved
- Programming languages you have learned
- Your GitHub or personal projects
- Your interest in AI or machine learning
- The type of software engineering career you want to build
Keep your statement honest and make sure the examples describe your actual experience.
Application Checklist
Before submitting your application, review the following:
- South African citizenship requirement
- Eligible degree programme
- Correct year of study
- Minimum 65% academic average
- South African university
- Honours NQF Level 8 plan
- Academic information
- Coding experience and projects
- Personal statement
- StudyTrust application completed correctly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amazon Recruitment Bursary 2026?
It is a bursary opportunity for eligible South African university students studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering, with a potential pathway to an Amazon internship and future Software Development Engineer opportunities.
What average is required for the Amazon bursary?
Applicants need a minimum 65% academic average according to the stated eligibility criteria.
Which students can apply?
The programme is aimed at students studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering who meet the required year-of-study, academic and citizenship criteria.
Can AI and Machine Learning students apply?
Students specialising in AI or Machine Learning may be considered where their studies fall within the eligible fields.
Does the Amazon bursary cover tuition?
The programme provides full or partial funding, subject to applicable limits, including tuition and other listed study-related expenses.
Does the bursary include a laptop?
A personal computer is listed among the areas that may be covered by the bursary, subject to the programme’s applicable funding conditions.
Is there an Amazon internship?
Selected students may complete a paid internship at Amazon during a university vacation.
Will the internship lead to a permanent job?
There is a potential pathway to a full-time Software Development Engineer position, but employment is not automatically guaranteed. Candidates remain subject to the relevant recruitment and selection process.
Where do I apply?
Applications are made through the StudyTrust online platform using the official Amazon Recruitment Bursary application information.
Final Advice for Applicants
The Amazon Recruitment Bursary is particularly relevant to students who are serious about building a career in software engineering and technology.
If you meet the academic and study requirements, start preparing your application early. Make sure your academic information is accurate and take time to explain your interest in software development.
If you have completed coding projects, organise them so that you can clearly explain what you built, which technologies you used and what you learned from the experience.
Most importantly, read the official application requirements carefully and submit your application before the 30 September 2026 closing date.
Application period: 1 June – 30 September 2026
Disclaimer: MojaMzansi provides educational information about bursaries and opportunities. Programme requirements, funding conditions, application dates and selection processes may change. Applicants should verify the latest information through the official application channels before applying.
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