- BBD is a South African (and international) software-development company working across many sectors (financial services, telecoms, insurance, education, etc.). ITWeb+2ZA CAREERS+2
- Their “Bursary & Beyond Programme” supports students studying IT-related degrees (or intending to) and aims to nurture future software-development talent, bridging the gap between academic study and real-world industry experience. BBD+2EduStudent+2
- BBD views the bursary as more than just funding — there is mentorship, exposure to real software projects/teams, and a direct pathway into their “Graduate Programme” upon graduation. ITWeb+2BBD+2
✅ Who Can Apply & What Are the Eligibility Requirements
If you want to apply for BBD’s bursary, you need to meet the following (or similar) criteria: BBD+2Bursary Forms+2
- You must be a South African citizen. BBD+1
- You must be studying (or planning to study) one of the eligible fields:
- Computer Science
- Software or Computer Engineering
- Information Technology
- Informatics / Information Systems
- Game Design (in some cycles) Bursaries Portal+2BBD+2
- Degree level accepted: Bachelor’s, Honours, Master’s, or Doctorate — as long as you are studying an eligible IT field. EduStudent+1
- Academic performance:
- If applying from Matric: typically need ≥ 70% average. MyBroadband Companies+1
- If already at tertiary level: ≥ 65% average required. BBD+1
- Passion for software development / coding — a personal portfolio or GitHub (or similar) of side projects is encouraged and helps your application stand out. BBD+1
📦 What the Bursary Covers / What You Get
If selected for the BBD Bursary, you get more than just a fee waiver. Here’s what’s typically included: ITWeb+2BBD+2
- Coverage of university tuition fees. Bursaries Portal+1
- A monthly allowance to help cover living expenses, incidentals, or study-related costs. uni1.co.za+1
- Mentorship and support from BBD’s in-house tech/ development teams — guiding bursars through study and bridging into industry. ITWeb+1
- “Vac Week” workshop (once per year) — a week-long immersive workshop where bursars meet other bursars, work on group projects using latest tech, and experience BBD’s culture & work environment. StudentRoom.co.za+1
- After successful completion of studies: the possibility to join BBD’s Graduate Programme — giving full-time employment and “day-one client-project work,” with further training and upskilling. BBD+2BBD+2
In short — the bursary aims to support you through school plus ease the transition into a professional software-development career under BBD.
📝 How to Apply — Process & What You Need to Submit
If you want to apply for the 2026 BBD Bursary, here’s how you do it: BBD+2Bursaries Africa+2
✅ Documents & Information You’ll Need
- Updated CV / résumé
- Certified copy of SA ID
- Certified copy of Matric certificate or latest Matric results (if you are applying from Matric)
- University acceptance letter or proof of registration (if already accepted at a SA university)
- Latest academic transcripts (if you are already studying)
- If you have them: links to any personal coding projects / GitHub portfolio / side-projects — even simple ones help show interest/initiative in software development. BBD+1
✅ Application Timing & Submission
- Applications for the bursary are typically open from May to November. BBD+2EduStudent+2
- You apply online through BBD’s “Bursary & Beyond Programme” portal (on their website). BBD+1
- Because there is no fixed short deadline usually, it’s recommended to apply as early as possible within the window. Forms24+1
✅ What Happens After You Apply
- Shortlisting based on academic results, field of study and submitted documents/portfolio
- Interviews or assessment (especially for candidates with projects / coding portfolios)
- If selected — bursary award, mentorship assignment, and inclusion in Vac-Week + ongoing support
- On graduation — possible transition into BBD’s Graduate Programme for employment as junior software engineer / developer. BBD+2BBD+2
🎯 Who the BBD Bursary Is Best For — Ideal Candidate Profiles
The BBD Bursary & Beyond Programme is ideal if you:
- Are passionate about software development, coding, and building real-world applications
- Are studying (or planning to study) Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT, Informatics or related fields
- Need financial support to complete your university studies (tuition + living costs)
- Want more than just funding — you want mentorship, exposure to industry work, and a pathway into a software-development career
- Are willing to commit to studies, maintain good academic performance (≥ 65–70%), and possibly contribute projects/portfolio work
For many South African students — especially those committed to IT/software development but with limited resources — this bursary offers both a lifeline and a launchpad into the tech industry.
✅ My Assessment: Is the BBD Bursary Worth It — Yes, Strong Option for IT Students
I believe BBD’s bursary is one of the best privately-sponsored bursary schemes in South Africa for aspiring software developers.
Why it stands out:
- It covers full tuition + living allowance — significant in reducing financial barrier to tertiary education.
- It offers real industry exposure, mentorship, and a pathway into paid, meaningful work after graduation.
- It supports a broad range of IT-related fields (not just narrow engineering), giving flexibility.
- The “Vac Week + Graduate Programme” structure shows that BBD is serious about building talent for the long term — not just giving one-year funding.
What to watch out for:
- Competition can be high, so good academics + strong application + (if possible) a portfolio helps.
- You commit to studies + possibly a work-back or placement upon graduation (as bursars feed into their grad programme) — so ensure you are ready for that.
- You must apply within the designated window (May–November) — earlier is better.
Bottom line: If you meet the eligibility and are serious about software development, you should apply. This bursary offers both financial support and a very real bridge into a professional IT career.
