The BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme 2026 is an opportunity for South African students who want to pursue careers in software development, computer science, information technology and related fields.
The programme is aimed at students who are interested in technology and want to develop their skills while working towards a career in the software industry.
In addition to financial support, the programme focuses on helping students develop professionally through exposure to the technology sector.
If you are currently studying an IT-related degree at a South African university, this opportunity may be worth considering.
BBD Bursary 2026 at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme 2026 |
| Organisation | BBD |
| Study area | IT, software development and related fields |
| Citizenship | South African citizens |
| Institution | Recognised South African university |
| Qualification | BSc, BEng, BCom or BIS |
| Matric requirement | 70% average |
| Tertiary requirement | 65% average |
| Study fields | Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT, Game Design, Informatics and related fields |
What Is the BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme?
The BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme is designed for students who are interested in building careers in software development and technology.
BBD operates in the custom software development and technology space, with areas of work that include software engineering, cloud engineering, data science, product design and managed services.
For students, the programme can provide an opportunity to develop their technical knowledge while gaining greater exposure to the professional technology environment.
The focus is not only on studying towards a qualification but also on developing skills that can be useful when entering the technology industry.
Who Can Apply for the BBD Bursary?
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
To be considered, applicants should:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be studying or planning to study an IT-related qualification
- Be enrolled at a recognised South African university
- Be pursuing an eligible undergraduate degree
- Meet the required academic performance criteria
- Have an interest in software development and the technology industry
Students should check the latest official application information because requirements can vary between application cycles.
Which Courses Are Covered?
The BBD bursary focuses on technology-related fields.
Eligible areas include:
Computer Science
Computer Science students learn about programming, algorithms, software development, databases, computer systems and other areas of computing.
Software Engineering
Students interested in designing, developing, testing and maintaining software may find this programme particularly relevant.
Information Technology
IT students can develop skills across areas such as systems, networks, applications, databases and technology management.
Informatics
Informatics combines information, technology and organisational processes to help solve real-world problems using information systems.
Game Design
Students interested in developing games and interactive digital experiences may also be considered.
Related Technology Fields
Students studying related IT and technology disciplines may also be considered, depending on the requirements of the relevant application cycle.
Which Qualifications Are Accepted?
The programme information lists the following qualifications:
- BSc
- BEng
- BCom
- BIS
The qualification must be relevant to the programme’s eligible areas of study.
If your degree has a different title, it is advisable to check the official requirements before assuming that it qualifies.
BBD Bursary Academic Requirements
Academic performance is an important part of the eligibility criteria.
The stated requirements include:
Matric students: minimum 70% average
Tertiary students: minimum 65% average
Students should use their most recent official academic results when checking whether they meet the academic requirement.
Meeting the minimum average does not necessarily guarantee selection, as bursary programmes may receive applications from many eligible students.
Documents Needed to Apply
Applicants should prepare their supporting documents before starting the application.
The documents listed for the programme include:
- Updated CV
- Certified ID copy
- Certified Matric certificate
- University acceptance letter
- Latest academic transcripts
- GitHub profile or coding project links, where available
Why Your Coding Projects Can Help
Students interested in software development can consider including links to projects they have worked on.
For example, a student may have:
- A GitHub repository
- A university software project
- A mobile application
- A website
- A programming project
- A database project
- An academic technology project
Having a project does not replace the formal eligibility requirements, but it can demonstrate practical interest in software development.
Students should only submit links to projects that they can explain and that accurately represent their own work.
What Is BBD Looking For?
The programme is aimed at students who demonstrate an interest in technology and software development.
An ideal applicant may be someone who:
- Enjoys programming and problem-solving
- Is interested in software development
- Wants to build a career in technology
- Has worked on coding or technology projects
- Is willing to learn new technical skills
- Is interested in developing professionally
You do not necessarily need to have years of professional experience. University projects and personal coding projects can also demonstrate your interest in technology.
Beyond Financial Support
One of the notable aspects of the programme is its focus on development beyond the bursary itself.
Students interested in technology can benefit from opportunities that expose them to the professional environment and help them understand what a career in software development can involve.
This can be particularly useful for students who have mainly experienced technology through their university studies and want to gain a better understanding of the industry.
How to Prepare a Strong BBD Bursary Application
Before applying, take time to organise your documents.
1. Update your CV
Your CV should clearly show your:
- Education
- Technical skills
- University projects
- Coding experience
- Achievements
- Relevant activities
Keep the information accurate and easy to read.
2. Check your academic results
Confirm that your latest results meet the stated academic requirement.
If you are already at university, make sure your latest academic transcript is available.
3. Prepare your project links
If you have coding projects, make sure your GitHub repositories or other project links work correctly.
A simple README explaining what a project does, which technologies you used and what your role was can make the project easier to understand.
4. Check your supporting documents
Make sure your documents are complete and meet the certification requirements before submitting your application.
5. Read the application instructions carefully
Do not rely on information from older bursary advertisements. Always check the latest official BBD application information for the current intake.
How to Apply for the BBD Bursary 2026
Students interested in the BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme 2026 should follow the official application instructions provided by BBD.
The application process and available intake dates can change, so applicants should confirm the current application details before submitting their information.
Prepare your documents in advance and make sure all information supplied in the application is accurate.
BBD Bursary 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BBD Bursary?
The BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme supports eligible South African students pursuing relevant IT, software development and technology-related studies.
What marks do I need for the BBD bursary?
The stated academic requirements are a 70% Matric average or a 65% tertiary average, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Which degrees can I study with the BBD bursary?
The programme lists BSc, BEng, BCom and BIS qualifications in relevant fields.
Does BBD support Computer Science students?
Yes. Computer Science is one of the fields listed under the programme.
Can IT students apply?
Yes. Information Technology is among the listed areas of study.
Can Software Engineering students apply?
Yes. Software Engineering is one of the relevant fields listed for the programme.
Do I need a GitHub account?
A GitHub or coding-project link may be included as part of the application documents. Students who have coding projects should consider making their relevant work available for review.
Can first-year students apply?
Eligibility can depend on the specific intake and application requirements. Students should check the latest official BBD information before applying.
Final Advice for Students
If you are studying Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Informatics, Game Design or another related technology field, the BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme may be an opportunity worth exploring.
Start preparing your documents early rather than waiting until the application deadline. In particular, make sure your academic records, CV and supporting documents are ready.
Students with coding projects can also organise their GitHub repositories or other project portfolios so that their work is easy to review.
Most importantly, always check the latest official BBD application information before submitting an application because programme requirements and application periods may change.
BBD Bursary 2026 Summary
The BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme 2026 is aimed at South African students pursuing relevant technology qualifications at recognised South African universities.
Minimum Matric average: 70%
Minimum tertiary average: 65%
Key fields: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Informatics, Game Design and related fields.
Remember: Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee that an applicant will be selected. Applicants should follow the official application instructions and provide complete and accurate information.
Disclaimer: MojaMzansi provides educational information about bursaries and other opportunities. Programme requirements, application dates and selection criteria may change. Applicants should verify the latest information with BBD before applying.
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