Investec High School Bursary Programme 2027: Funded Education for Grade 10 to 12 Learners in South Africa
Investec High School Bursary Programme 2027: Funded Education for Grade 10 to 12 Learners in South Africa
For a bright learner from a township or rural school, one of the biggest obstacles to reaching their potential often has nothing to do with talent — it comes down to resources. The Investec High School Bursary Programme 2027 was created specifically to remove that barrier, giving academically promising South African teenagers the financial backing to stay in school and thrive, particularly in subjects like Mathematics, Science and Accounting.
Here’s what matters most before diving into the detail:
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026
- Location: South Africa (nationwide, with specific partner schools in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape)
- Salary/Funding: Not applicable — this is a bursary that funds high school education costs rather than a paid role
If you’re a Grade 9 learner heading into Grade 10, or already in Grade 10 or 11, and Maths, Science or Accounting happen to be your strong subjects, this is one of the more established bursary programmes worth applying for before the September deadline.
Programme Overview
Investec’s High School Bursary Programme has been running for years with a fairly consistent goal: identify learners with strong academic potential who are held back by financial circumstances, and give them the support to keep attending a school that can push them further. It’s not a scholarship that relocates learners to a new institution — instead, it’s built around helping them remain at their current school, provided that school meets certain academic performance benchmarks. In 2023 alone, 78 learners in Grades 10 to 12 were supported through the programme, with 48 matriculants that year producing an average of nearly six distinctions each.
What the Bursary Actually Supports
Unlike some funding programmes that only cover tuition, this one is structured around keeping a learner in a strong academic environment through to matric. Recipients are also paired with an Investec staff mentor and given the chance to attend exposure events connected to the bank, giving them a glimpse of the working world well before they finish school. It’s less about a one-off payment and more about sustained support that follows a learner right through to their final exams.
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying, it helps to check whether you or the learner you’re applying on behalf of actually meets the criteria, since a few conditions are non-negotiable:
- Must be entering Grade 10, 11, or 12
- Must be able to demonstrate financial need
- Must show strong academic potential, particularly in Pure Mathematics, Accounting, and Science
- Must have been enrolled at a qualifying school for at least one year at the time of application
- Must be a South African citizen — the programme does not fund non-citizens or international schooling
School Eligibility Criteria
One detail that catches a lot of applicants off guard is that the bursary isn’t just about the learner’s own marks — the school they attend also has to meet a set of performance standards. Qualifying schools generally need to show:
- At least 75% of learners taking Pure Mathematics as a subject
- A minimum matric pass rate of 90%, with at least 80% qualifying for university entrance
- At least 75% of learners achieving 50% or higher in Pure Mathematics
- A strong English pass rate, with a minimum of 80% of learners scoring above 50%
If your current school doesn’t meet these benchmarks, it’s worth knowing upfront that the bursary won’t cover a transfer to a school that does — Investec continues supporting learners at their existing school rather than facilitating a move.
Duties and Expectations of Bursary Recipients
Being awarded this bursary isn’t simply a one-time financial gift with no further involvement required. Recipients are expected to maintain the academic standards that got them selected in the first place, continue their studies in Pure Mathematics rather than switching to Maths Literacy, and take part in mentorship sessions and exposure events organised through the programme. Staying enrolled at the same school for the duration of the bursary is also a condition — changing schools after acceptance can result in the funding being withdrawn.
Skills and Qualities That Strengthen an Application
While the formal requirements are fairly specific, certain qualities tend to stand out in a strong application:
- A genuine track record of strong results in Mathematics, Science, Accounting, and English
- Consistency in academic performance rather than a single good year
- Evidence of financial need that’s clearly documented
- A demonstrated interest in subjects that lead toward finance, commerce, or STEM-related careers
- Motivation and discipline, since the bursary requires sustained performance rather than a single application effort
Partner Programmes Worth Knowing About
Investec’s high school funding isn’t limited to a single initiative. Through its Student Sponsorship Programme, scholarships are awarded to learners with strong academic potential and demonstrated financial need to attend top-performing South African high schools, with each student mentored by an Investec staff member. The Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund similarly supports underprivileged boys at Jeppe High School for Boys, including additional English and Maths lessons, while the SAILI Programme partners with Diocesan School for Girls and St Andrews in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, to give disadvantaged children with academic potential access to a stronger education. Beyond bursaries, Investec also runs Maths and Science extra-mural programmes for learners who may not qualify for full funding but still want extra academic support.
Frequently Overlooked Details
A few conditions catch applicants out more than others. Non-South African students cannot apply, regardless of academic merit. Learners doing Maths Literacy instead of Pure Mathematics are not eligible for funding. International schooling isn’t covered under this programme at all. And meeting the minimum criteria doesn’t guarantee a spot — the number of bursaries available each year is limited, so selection remains competitive even among qualifying applicants. Learners who were unsuccessful in a previous year are, however, welcome to reapply as long as they still meet the requirements.
About Investec
Investec is a specialist bank and international financial services group that began life in 1974 as a small finance company in Johannesburg. Since then, it has grown into an international organisation with a dual listing on both the London Stock Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, employing over 7,400 people across its core markets in South Africa and the United Kingdom, along with a presence in several other countries.
The group operates across private banking, business banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth management, serving individuals, businesses, corporates and institutions. Alongside its financial services, Investec has built a long-standing corporate social investment focus on education and entrepreneurship, viewing these as two of the most effective ways to drive employment, wealth creation and broader socio-economic growth across South Africa. The High School Bursary Programme forms part of that wider commitment to building opportunity for young South Africans who show potential but lack the resources to fully pursue it.
How to Apply
Applications for the Investec High School Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year opened earlier this year and close on 30 September 2026. Given the limited number of bursaries available annually, applicants are encouraged to prepare their supporting documentation early and apply well ahead of the deadline rather than waiting until the final weeks.
For learners who don’t quite meet the full bursary criteria, it’s worth exploring Investec’s other high school Maths and Science support programmes, which offer additional academic assistance outside of the core bursary route.
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