Commerce Bursaries South Africa 2025

 
If you want to pursue a career in the “corporate world”, you should consider studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree. Some of the BCom qualifications you can pursue include: Accounting, Finance, Business Management, Economics, Auditing, Human Resources Management, Marketing, Information Systems, Taxation and many more.

For those who are interested in finding out how much you could earn once you are qualified and have entered the commerce sector, we have put together a (per annum) salary range for a few commerce related career paths. Please keep in mind that the salary differs according to your level of qualification, years of experience and city that you work in.
 

View all Bursaries and Scholarships OPEN for application

 

Economic Analyst: between R72 000 and R580 000
Accountant: between R120 000 and R500 000
Marketing Manager: between R122 000 and R605 000
Human Resources Manager: between R119 000 and R587 000
Internal Auditor: between R135 000 and R480 000
Financial Accountant: between R182 000 and R509 000
Business Development Manager: between R194 000 and R844 000
Auditing Manager: between R230 000 and R602 000
Tax Manager: between R248 000 and R925 000
Finance Manager: between R289 000 and R758 000
Information Systems Audit Manager: between R306 000 and R840 000
Financial Manager: between R324 000 and R824 000
 

There are many big name companies like Investec, Old Mutual, Coronation and Metropolitan who are offering bursary programmes to deserving students with strong academic potential. These companies are reaching out to current and future commerce students to help cover the costs of their studies and to help the youth, thereby helping the future of the organisation.
Bursaries and scholarships are usually awarding to students who fit the following criteria: South African citizen with a valid ID document, achieved good results in Matric (particularly in Mathematics, Accounting and English), proven that they require tertiary funding, able to lead as well as work within a team, analytical thinker and strong communicator.

SA Bursaries has compiled the biggest list of Commerce bursaries, scholarship and funding opportunities in South Africa for 2025 studies – scroll down to find your field of study:

  • Asset Management
  • Business-related (Business Admin, Business Management, Business Science)
  • Corporate Governance
  • Economics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Fiscal and Public Policy
  • General Commerce
  • Human Resources
  • Investment
  • Marketing
  • Purchasing and Buying
  • Risk Management
  • Sales and Retail
  • Transport Economics

 

ASSET MANAGEMENT BURSARIES FOR 2025

Asset managers are there to assist in all aspects of an assigned portfolio, from administrative aspects to capital, financial and operational aspects. Asset managers are generally known as those who work within the financial sector, managing investments on behalf of their clients.

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the Asset Management sector, here are some options for you:

 

BUSINESS RELATED BURSARIES (BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS SCIENCE) FOR 2025

Business relations refers to the connection of all entities engaging within a business. This includes relationships with stakeholders, employers, employees, partners, associates, vendors, customers, banks, stockbrokers, sales leads, service providers, and the media.

Business Administrator and Business Science: The responsibility of a Business Administrator is to make decisions on behalf of the business as well as oversee many aspects of its activities and operations. They are in charge of supervising staff, whilst also focusing on areas such as accounting, finance, and marketing.
Business Science and Business Administration are very similar. Business Administration is simply adopted whilst Business Science is the process of looking at the actual function (i.e. ways to help solve the business problems.) To obtain a qualification in Business Science/ as a Business Administrator, you will need to learn and complete a 2 year Associates Degree. With this Degree, you could find a career in Office Management or Project Coordination. Once you have completed your Degree you can then go on to obtain a 2 year MBA, whereby you can step into the role of a CEO or CFO.

Business Management: Business Managers are responsible for handling all aspects of a business (sometimes being a business owner.) The responsibilities of a Business Manager include directing companies strategies, goals, and activities to ensure the success of a business. A Business Manager oversees all departments such as marketing, sales, finance, operations, and human resources as well as managing supervisors, employees, and department managers. To become a Business Manager, you will need a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or a relevant field and years of experience. Other skills that are essential to a business manager are problem-solving, decision making, and leadership.

If this sounds like a career path you would be interested in pursuing, you should apply for these Business Related Bursaries (including Business Administration, Business Management, Business Science):

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE BURSARIES FOR 2025

Corporate governance is the systems of processes, practices and rules which a company is directed and controlled by. Corporate governance includes balancing the interests of customers, suppliers, shareholders, managers, financiers, community and government.
Unfortunately there are no bursaries available for Corporate Governance at the moment.
 

ECONOMICS BURSARIES FOR 2025

Economics is a social science study that consists of the distribution, production, and consumption of goods and services. It studies how society makes decisions about how to allocate resources whilst focusing on the actions of human beings. The building blocks of economics are trade and labour, with economics having the responsibility to determine methods that will achieve the best results.
Economics is one of the key principles in business and management, as it allows you to think of many approaches that will aid in solving problems.

A Degree in Economics will give you a high level of statistical and mathematical skills which you can apply in many sectors. Some students choose to study Economics at a Master’s level, however, it is not a necessity. Some possible jobs you could get with a Degree in Economics include: Economist; Data Analyst, Financial Risk Analyst; Accountant; Financial Planner; Financial Consultant; Econometric Researcher; Actuary or a role in the Public Sector.

If this sounds like a career path you would be interested in pursuing, you should apply for these Economics Bursaries:

 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP BURSARIES FOR 2025

If this sounds like a career path you would be interested in pursuing, you should apply for these Entrepreneurship Bursaries:

 

FISCAL AND PUBLIC POLICY BURSARIES FOR 2025

Fiscal analysts gather financial data, this data is then compiled into a spreadsheet, and thereafter the analysis of financial activity for top level management. They assist with preparing reports, developing and monitoring budgets and tracking market trends, as well as analyzing company budget and financial activities and estimating upcoming income and expenses.
The average annual salary for a entry-level financial analyst is around R315 000, while the average annual salary for a professional financial analyst is around R360 000.
Unfortunately there are no bursaries available for Fiscal and Public Policy at the moment.
 

GENERAL COMMERCE BURSARIES FOR 2025

Commerce refers to the exchanging of services or goods amongst different businesses (it is the action of trading amongst many economic agents.) Globally, commerce is responsible for increasing the well-being of people by providing essential goods, services, and many jobs. Commerce is important to society for a number of factors- it aids in industrial developments, it aims to satisfy the growing wants of consumers, it increases both the income and wealth of its country, it aids in increasing the standard of living, it creates a number of job opportunities, it aids in the expansion of aids to trade (i.e. banks, transport sectors, technology, etc.), it creates a relationship between producers and consumers, it enhances international trade, it helps developing countries increase their GDP, and it helps societies during emergencies (such as natural disasters.)

Qualifications related to general commerce are considered a qualification in Economic Management Science (EMS.) There are many EMS qualifications that relate to marketing, some are Higher Certificates in Banking, Marketing, and Tourist Management; Diplomas in Administrative Management, Marketing Management, and Local Government Finance, Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management; and Bachelor Degrees in Businesses Informatics, Financial Management, and Transport and Logistics.

Possible careers one could enter once they obtain their qualification are working in a Bank, Insurance, Investments, Capital Market, Company Secretary, Accounting and Taxation, Cost and Work Accountant, Actuaries, Cost, and Management Accountant, as well as a Certified Financial Planner.

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the General Commerce sector, here are some options for you:

 

HUMAN RESOURCES BURSARIES FOR 2025

As a human resources specialist, you are responsible for the recruitment of new employees, as well as screening, interviews and placement. HR specialists may also handle payroll and benefits, as well as employee relations and training.

HR officers must ensure that their company employs the correct balance of staff with regards to experience and skills and to ensure that training and development opportunities are available to employees to better their performance and therefore achieve company goals.

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the Human Resources sector, here are some options for you:

 

INVESTMENT BURSARIES FOR 2025

Investment fund managers are those who provide financial services and advice to both corporate and private clients regarding many investment matters, to help clients invest their money in the best way possible – this includes buying and selling investment share, trusts and bonds.
Investment analysts are those who provide financial advice, information and recommendations to
fund managers, stockbrokers and stock market traders, which has been derived from global investment data.
The average annual salary for a Portfolio Manager (entry level) is around R322 000.
The average annual salary for an Investment Analyst is around R303 000.

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the Investment sector, here are some options for you:

 

MARKETING BURSARIES FOR 2025

The main aim of all employees within the Marketing field is to maximise profits by developing and implementing sales strategies that match customer needs and promoting these ideas, goods or services to the public.

Marketing is an activity that incorporates many processes for communication, creativity, delivery, as well as the exchanging of offerings that are valuable to a company’s customers, partners, clients, and society. Marketing research is responsible for creating the link between the marketer and their audience by using information to identify and create marketing opportunities, actions, performance, and processes. Marketing research collects information and data from society/clients and analyses this data to find the best possible solutions. Marketing is essential to society as it informs and educates consumers, allowing them to learn about what is the best product/ service they may need to fulfill their needs. Marketing also helps society as a whole by being the driving force within the marketing, production, and finance industry.

Qualifications one could obtain in Marketing are a Bachelors/ Honours/ Masters of Philosophy in Marketing, Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management, Bachelors of Commerce in Marketing Management Science, Bachelors of Business Administration/ Diploma/ Higher Certificate in Marketing Management. Possible careers in Marketing are a Market Research Analyst, Digital Marketing Analyst, Social Media Marketing Manager, Product Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, and more.
Here are the average annual salaries for positions within the Marketing sector:
Marketing Assistant: R124 000
Marketing Executive: R132 000
Marketing Coordinator: R173 000
Digital Marketing Manager: R300 000
Marketing Manager: R323 000
Online Marketing Manager: R330 000
Online Marketing Specialist: R540 000
Marketing Director: R790 000

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the Marketing sector, here are some options for you:

 

PURCHASING & BUYING BURSARIES FOR 2025

Purchasing agents (also known as “buyers” or “purchasers”) are responsible for buying supplies for their company to use or resell to customers. Buyers or purchasers use their negotiation and persuasion skills to find the best deals.

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the Purchasing and Buying sector, here are some options for you:

 

RISK MANAGEMENT BURSARIES FOR 2025

Risk managers are responsible for advising companies of any potential risks to the existence or profitability of the company. Risk managers identify and assess risks, create plans to implement should things go wrong and find ways to reduce, transfer or avoid risks for companies.

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the Risk Management sector, here are some options for you:

 

SALES & RETAIL BURSARIES FOR 2025

Sales and retail refer to finished goods/ services being purchased by consumers and businesses to fulfill their needs and wants. All these goods and services are at the end of the supply chain, where the goods are sold by the retailer. The supply chain works as follows: the beginning consists of raw materials and commodities, manufacturers then create the product that is sold/ used in the service, it then goes to wholesale sales where the goods and services are later distributed to the retailers, and the retailers then sell them to the consumers, thus ending the supply chain.

Sales and Retail are vital for society as it is an economic indicator. There are many companies involved in sales and retail (as seen in the supply chain) and thus, retail and sales are needed to not only run society and guarantee a smooth flow of goods and services but also guarantee job opportunities.

Possible qualifications relating to the Sales and Retail sector is a Higher Certificate in Retailing (generally the retail sector will not require many qualifications if you are starting at most entry-level jobs.) Some possible jobs in the retail industry are a Beauty Consultant, Buyer, Butcher, Cashier, Customer Service Representative, First-Line Supervisor, District Manager, Information Technology Co-ordinator, Human Resources Specialist, Branch Manager, Loan Officer, and more.

The average annual salaries for employees within the Sales/ Retail industry are:
Retail Sales Assistant: R54 000
Sales Associate: R82 000
Sales Consultant: R100 000
Retail Store Manager: R130 000

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the Sales and Retail sector, here are some options for you:

 

TRANSPORT ECONOMICS BURSARIES FOR 2025

Transport Economics play a major factor in our economy, we may not see it right away, but every single product or person needed to be transported somewhere at least once in their life- whether this is for home, recreation, or work. The transport sector links directly with economics as it has to find financial solutions to various obstacles, such as congestion, pollution, infrastructure shortages, and more. As such, Transport Economics is responsible for successfully and accurately allocating resources that are scarce within the transport sector as well as to other economic sectors.

Possible qualifications and study fields one could embark on in Transport Economics is an Undergraduate Degree in Air Transport, Sea Transport, Retail Transport and Pipelines, Road Transport, Logistics Systems, Logistics Activities, and more. As for job opportunities, transport economists may serve government institutions, the private sector, and private transport companies as consultants.

The role of a transport economist is to use their skills to predict the demand (e.g. number of trips and favoured mode of transport) and supply (the maximum capacity the vehicle can handle) and look at ways to not only manage the finances relating to transport but also how to improve and expand the network and ultimately solve the challenges faced in the sector.

If you are looking for bursaries or funding for the Transport Economics sector, here are some options for you: