South African students seeking financial assistance with university fees should be aware that Sasol offers bursary programmes to assist with study costs.
The company operates a variety of funds, meaning that students must research the requirements of a specific bursary before assuming that any Sasol funding opportunity will have identical conditions.
Students must understand the requirements of the programme that they are applying for.
What is a Sasol bursary?
Sasol offers bursaries to eligible students who meet the requirements of a particular funding programme.
Programmes support students with their higher-education costs and can include a range of financial benefits.
Sasol bursary opportunities target students at different stages of their studies.
Some, for example, have a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while others can support students on selected non-STEM courses.
A student’s preferred field of qualification will determine which bursary funding opportunities they can apply for.
What expenses can the funding cover?
The financial benefits of a Sasol bursary can vary depending on the funding programme.
Applicants can include expenses such as:
- University tuition and registration fees
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Books and study materials
- Laptop or other study-related support, if specified
- Other relevant allowances
Students should consider the financial benefits that they need before assuming that the support that is available through one funding programme will also apply to another.
Which students does Sasol support?
Sasol’s bursary programmes support students at different stages of their studies.
Undergraduate studies can be supported, along with selected postgraduate qualifications.
The fields of study that are eligible can include engineering, science and technology, while selected Foundation programmes can also support students on non-STEM courses.
The availability of a particular qualification will depend on the conditions of the programme that a student wishes to apply for.
What is the Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme?
The Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme is one of the company’s funding opportunities.
It is available to eligible students who are currently studying selected engineering, science and technology qualifications at undergraduate level.
Selected postgraduate studies can also be eligible, including master’s and doctorate degrees.
Students should always check the requirements of this programme before applying.
What is the Sasol Foundation Programme?
The Sasol Foundation has additional funding opportunities for eligible students.
The company considers a range of personal circumstances depending on the requirements of the programme, which can include the student’s household income and social connections.
Some Foundation bursaries target students from lower-income or missing-middle households, while others can include students who are connected to Sasol shareholders, employees or the communities in which Sasol operates.
These are only general examples – students should always check the requirements of a particular programme.
What are the general eligibility requirements?
Eligibility requirements will depend on the bursary programme, but applicants must meet a variety of conditions.
These can include:
- South African citizenship
- Academic requirements, which will depend on the qualification and institution
- The field of qualification or course of study
- Eligible institution
- Household income
- School subjects
- Full-time study
- Other programme-specific requirements
Science and engineering students who apply for Sasol bursary opportunities must ensure that they have met the academic requirements, which relate to school subjects and marks.
The Sasol entry requirements can vary from year to year, and students should always check the current criteria.
Does Sasol only fund STEM qualifications?
While Sasol has a strong focus on fields such as engineering, science and technology, the company also funds certain non-STEM qualifications through selected Foundation bursary programmes.
Students who wish to apply for Sasol support must always check the list of eligible qualifications before applying.
Can postgraduate students apply?
Sasol funding programmes can be open to postgraduate students.
Depending on the programme, students who are studying for a MSc, MEng or PhD can apply for support.
Postgraduate students should always check the eligibility requirements of a particular programme, which may differ from those that apply to undergraduate applicants.
Which institutions are eligible?
Sasol bursaries can support students who study at approved South African public universities and universities of technology.
Applicants should always check whether their preferred institution and qualification is eligible before applying.
Does a Sasol bursary come with employment?
Students who are offered a Sasol bursary do not automatically receive an offer of employment with the company.
Graduate opportunities, mentoring, academic support and other non-employment related opportunities can be offered to bursary students.
Students should always apply for a Sasol bursary with the assumption that it is a separate application to a graduate vacancy.
Graduate opportunities will also have their own specific requirements and selection processes.
How should students prepare to apply?
A student who wishes to apply for a Sasol bursary should begin by researching the requirements of the particular programme that they are interested in.
Before submitting an application, they should ensure that they will meet the following criteria:
- Citizenship: Check whether you are eligible to apply for the bursary based on your nationality.
- Eligible qualification: Ensure that the Sasol bursary that you are applying for will cover the cost of the degree or course of study that you wish to pursue.
- Eligible institution: Check whether the Sasol bursary covers the cost of your preferred university.
- Academic results: Ensure that your school marks meet the Sasol entry requirements for the programme that you wish to apply for.
- Household income: You may need to provide evidence of your household income to confirm that you meet the Sasol bursary income requirements.
- Full-time study: Confirm whether your intended programme of study will require you to study full-time.
- Supporting documents: Prepare the documents that you will need to submit as part of your application.
- Closing date: Check the application closing date before submitting your application.
Why students should not rely on old bursary information
One of the most important considerations when applying for a bursary is that the requirements of the funding programmes may change from year to year.
Students should never assume that a qualification that was eligible for a Sasol bursary in previous years will automatically be covered in the current funding year.
The same principle applies to income requirements, minimum school results, closing dates and other criteria.
Students should always use the most up-to-date information when applying for a Sasol bursary.
What can students expect from Sasol funding?
Students who successfully apply for a Sasol bursary can have significant support with their higher-education costs.
The financial benefits that are available depend on the particular programme that a student has applied for, but they can include support with tuition, accommodation, meals and other expenses in addition to university fees.
Sasol bursary programmes can also provide additional support to students, such as guidance and other developmental opportunities during their studies.
The financial and developmental benefits that are available will depend on the particular Sasol bursary.
The key takeaway for students
While Sasol does have bursary and student-funding opportunities, students should not assume that they are all the same.
The company has various funding streams that support different students with different requirements.
Some programmes target particular fields of study (such as STEM), while others have a broader remit.
Students should always check whether the qualification that they wish to study is eligible, and whether they meet the requirements of the applicable Sasol bursary programme.
Above all, students should always use the most up-to-date information when researching eligibility requirements, application dates and the financial benefits of a Sasol bursary.
Editorial and fact-checking information
Editorial approach: This guide is written as evergreen educational content and does not feature a particular application cycle, closing date or intake. Any statements about a Sasol bursary that use a particular date or specify an intake should not be considered permanent information.
Fact-checking: This article presents general information about Sasol bursaries without allocating the requirements of one programme to another. Students should research and verify programme-specific information with the most up-to-date Sasol bursary documentation before applying.
Corrections: If Sasol changes its funding structure, eligibility requirements, eligible qualifications or application process, the information should be reviewed and updated accordingly.
