Sasol is welcoming applications from South African students for its Mainstream Bursary Programme targeting the 2027 academic year.
Application Period Opens: 1 April 2026
Application Period Closes: 17 May 2026
Institution Type: Accredited South African Universities
Sasol is a global integrated energy and chemicals company headquartered in South Africa, known for pioneering technologies that convert coal, natural gas, and other feedstocks into fuels and chemical products. The company plays a major role in both the South African economy and the international energy sector, supplying everything from liquid fuels to industrial chemicals used in manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer goods.
Sasol was founded in 1950 during a period when South Africa sought to reduce its dependence on imported oil. Its development was closely tied to advances in coal-to-liquids (CTL) technology, allowing the country to produce synthetic fuels from abundant coal reserves. Over time, Sasol expanded its operations beyond South Africa, establishing large-scale projects in countries such as the United States, where it invested heavily in gas-to-liquids (GTL) and chemical production facilities.
Today, Sasol operates across the full value chain, from resource extraction to refining and chemical manufacturing. It produces petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and a wide range of chemical products including plastics, solvents, and fertilizers. In recent years, the company has also begun shifting focus toward sustainability, exploring cleaner energy solutions and reducing its carbon footprint while maintaining its position as a key industrial player.
Programme Summary
Sasol has launched its prestigious Mainstream Bursary Programme for 2027, created to assist exceptional students entering engineering and scientific disciplines.
Beyond financial assistance, this programme offers career advancement through guidance, skills development, and potential job placement upon graduation.
Financial Support Includes:
– Complete coverage of tuition costs
– Housing and academic material expenses
– Organised mentoring and ongoing assistance
– Potential entry into Sasol’s Graduate Development Programme
Please Note: Recipients must fulfil a service commitment or repayment requirement following graduation.
Eligible Areas of Study
Bachelor’s Degrees (BEng / BSc)
Applicants may pursue:
– Chemical Engineering
– Civil Engineering
– Electrical Engineering
– Electronic Engineering
– Industrial Engineering
– Mechanical Engineering
– Mining Engineering
– Metallurgical Engineering
– Chemistry (to Honours level)
– Geology (to Honours level)
– Data Science (encompassing Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research)
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEng Tech)
– Mine Surveying _(Technikon/University of Technology route only)_
Advanced Degrees (MSc / MEng / PhD)
Research areas comprise:
– Chemical Engineering (Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Process Modelling)
– Chemistry (Catalysis, Polymer Science, Environmental Science, Analytical Chemistry)
– Cyber Security
– Data Science (Applied Mathematics, Statistics)
Entry Criteria
Candidates must satisfy these conditions:
– Hold South African citizenship
– Be below 30 years old
– Commit to full-time enrolment at an accredited university
– Demonstrate excellent academic achievement
Essential Academic Prerequisites:
– Mathematics (Mathematical Literacy is insufficient)
– Degree programmes exclusively (diploma courses excluded)
– Correspondence study (such as UNISA) is not permitted
Key Application Rules
– Submit only one application per person
– All submissions must be made exclusively via the online portal
– Partial or erroneous submissions will be rejected
– The selection process is extremely rigorous
– Awards depend on academic excellence and Sasol’s operational requirements
Documentation Needed
Ensure you have these items ready:
– Most recent academic records (Grade 11 or current results)
– Certified identity document copy
– Any supplementary documentation as specified
Submission Process
Access the official application portal here:
For questions or assistance:
– Email: [email protected]
– Telephone: 086 010 6235
Critical Reminders
– Submissions must go through the designated Sasol bursary website
– Email submissions will be disregarded
– Submissions received after the deadline will not be reviewed