Santam Bursary 2027

## About the Provider Santam is a South African financial services group and the leading general insurer in the country. The company provides a diverse range of general insurance products and services in southern Africa and internationally, serving over one million policyholders. These include individuals, commercial clients, specialist business owners, and institutions. As the country's largest short-term insurer, Santam plays an important role in protecting people and businesses against risk and loss. The company operates through several business units. Santam Personal provides personal insurance options such as vehicle, contents, building, and other forms of cover. Santam Commercial offers business insurance for small to large companies across various sectors. Santam Specialist handles complex and niche market risks, including aviation, corporate property, crop, engineering, marine, and other specialised forms of insurance. The group also includes MiWay, which offers non-life insurance products directly to customers, and Santam Re, which provides reinsurance services. This wide range of operations means that Santam needs a broad set of skills to run its business successfully. Santam understands that its long-term success depends on having a steady supply of talented, skilled professionals. The insurance industry relies on specialised skills in areas such as actuarial science, risk management, underwriting, data science, and finance, as well as in fields like agriculture and engineering that relate to the risks it insures. To build this talent, Santam established a bursary programme as part of its Skills Development Academy. The aim of the programme is to build a stream of talented young individuals who are needed to grow the South African economy. Santam wants to produce a steady flow of skilled, capable, and high-calibre graduates who have not only strong technical skills but also behavioural and leadership competencies. This holistic approach reflects an understanding that successful professionals need both expertise and the ability to work well with others and lead. A special focus of the programme is agriculture. Through Santam Agriculture, the company aims to support agricultural students in order to help farmers create a sustainable future and to close the scarce skills gap in agricultural crop insurance. This shows how the bursary connects directly to the real needs of the business and the broader economy. For talented students who dream of a career in insurance, finance, agriculture, or related fields, the Santam Bursary represents an excellent opportunity. It offers comprehensive funding, valuable tools and allowances, and, for some students, mentorship and a clear pathway to employment. Through this programme, Santam invests in the next generation of skilled professionals who will help drive the insurance industry and the wider economy forward.

## About the Program The Santam Bursary Programme funds undergraduate and postgraduate studies for the 2027 academic year. It was established as part of the company's Skills Development Academy, with the aim of building a stream of talented young individuals needed to grow the South African economy. The programme seeks to produce a steady flow of skilled, capable, and high-calibre graduates with core technical skills as well as behavioural and leadership competencies. The bursary covers a wide range of fields connected to the insurance and financial services sector. These include Accounting, Actuarial Science, Agriculture, Civil Engineering, Data Analytics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Geomatics Engineering, Insurance, Mathematics, Reinsurance, Risk Management, Statistics, and Underwriting. This broad selection reflects the many specialised skills that a major insurer requires. The bursary is comprehensive, covering registration fees, tuition fees, learning material, accommodation, a laptop, a monthly allowance, and a travel allowance, all up to a capped amount. This level of support removes much of the financial pressure on students and provides the tools they need to succeed. A particular focus of the programme is agriculture. Santam Agriculture aims to provide funding to agricultural students in order to help farmers create a sustainable future, and to close the scarce skills gap in agricultural crop insurance. Agriculture students receive additional benefits, including an allocated mentor, the opportunity to participate in vacation work, automatic participation in the graduate programme, invitations to relevant business engagements and conferences, and the opportunity for graduates to be permanently retained as trainee area managers. The academic requirements are strong. Applicants must have completed Matric and be studying towards a postgraduate diploma, bachelor's degree, or honours degree in one of the listed fields. They must be entering their second, third, or final year of undergraduate studies or honours studies in 2027, and must have achieved a minimum result of 65% in their undergraduate studies and in their most recent examinations. They must also be interested in pursuing a career in the short-term insurance industry. Agriculture students have additional requirements, including pursuing relevant agricultural qualifications and demonstrating skills such as good communication, negotiation, and interpersonal abilities. Preference is given to employment equity candidates. The programme is administered by StudyTrust. By combining comprehensive funding with mentorship and work opportunities, the Santam Bursary helps to develop skilled, work-ready graduates for the insurance and financial services sector.

## Bursary Benefits The Santam Bursary is a comprehensive award that covers a wide range of study-related costs and provides valuable tools and support. This makes it a generous and well-rounded opportunity for talented students. The bursary covers the following, up to a capped amount: - **Registration fees** - **Tuition fees** - **Learning material** - **Accommodation** - A **laptop** - A **monthly allowance** - A **travel allowance** Agriculture students receive additional benefits, including: - An **allocated mentor** - The opportunity to participate in **vacation work** - **Automatic participation in the graduate programme** - Invitations to relevant **business engagements and conferences** - The opportunity for graduates to be **permanently retained as trainee area managers** The inclusion of a laptop, allowances, and learning material makes this a particularly well-rounded bursary, ensuring that students have both the funding and the tools they need. For agriculture students in particular, the additional mentorship and work opportunities provide a clear pathway towards employment. By covering so many costs and offering practical support, the Santam Bursary helps recipients focus on their studies and prepare for successful careers in the insurance and financial services sector.

## Eligibility Criteria Applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Failing to satisfy every criterion will result in an application not being considered. - You must be a **South African citizen** - You must have **completed Matric** - You must be studying towards a **postgraduate diploma, bachelor's degree, or honours degree** in one of the listed fields - You must be entering your **second, third, or final year of undergraduate studies or honours studies in 2027** - You must have achieved a minimum result of **65%** in your undergraduate studies and in your most recent examinations - You must be studying at a **recognised and accredited tertiary institution** in South Africa - You must be interested in pursuing a career within the **short-term insurance industry** Agriculture students must also meet additional requirements, including pursuing a relevant agricultural qualification focused on crop or plant production, having Microsoft Excel skills, and demonstrating good communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Preference is given to employment equity candidates.

## Required Documents Submit clear, certified copies of the following supporting documents with your online application. Missing documents may lead to disqualification, so prepare them carefully before you begin. - A certified copy of your **South African ID document** - Your **Matric certificate** (certified copy) - Your **full academic record or transcripts** (certified copy) - Parents' or guardians' **proof of income** (latest payslips or letter from employer if employed, latest financial statements if self-employed, or an affidavit if unemployed), certified - Parents' or guardians' **death certificates**, if deceased (certified copy) - Parents' or guardians' **divorce certificate**, if divorced (certified copy) - Parents' or guardians' **sworn statement**, if separated (certified copy) - A **profile picture** - **Proof of address** (certified copy) Make sure all copies are clear, legible, and properly certified. Having a complete set ready will make the online application process faster and smoother.

## How to Apply Applications for the Santam Bursary must be submitted online through the administrator's website. Follow these steps to apply successfully: 1. Gather all your required documents and save clear, certified copies so you can upload them easily. 2. Read the bursary administrator's instructions page carefully before you begin, as it explains the process in detail. 3. Visit the online application portal for the Santam Bursary. 4. Complete the online application form accurately, providing all requested personal and academic details. 5. When asked how you heard about the bursary, enter the referral information as requested on the form. 6. Upload all your supporting documents, making sure each file is clear and complete. 7. Review your entire application to confirm there are no errors or missing information. 8. Submit your application before the closing date. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted, so it is wise to apply well in advance. If you are applying for the agriculture stream, make sure you meet the additional requirements and highlight the relevant skills. Keep a copy of your confirmation for your records.

## Tips for Success A strong bursary application is well prepared, complete, and honest. The following tips can help you give yourself the best chance with the Santam Bursary. - **Confirm your year of study and average.** You must be entering your second, third, or final year in 2027 and have a 65% average in your undergraduate studies and recent exams. Check that you meet these before applying. - **Show your interest in insurance.** The bursary is for students interested in the short-term insurance industry, so let this interest come through clearly in your application. - **Highlight agriculture skills if relevant.** If you are applying for the agriculture stream, make sure you meet the additional requirements and highlight skills such as communication, negotiation, and Microsoft Excel. - **Present your academic record clearly.** Make sure your transcripts are complete, certified, and clearly reflect your strong results. - **Prepare proof of income carefully.** Make sure your family's income documents are recent, certified, and appropriate to their situation. - **Apply early.** Online systems can become busy near the deadline. Submitting early helps you avoid last-minute technical problems. - **Get documents certified in advance.** Certified copies take time to arrange, so plan a visit to a police station, post office, or Commissioner of Oaths ahead of time. - **Read the administrator's instructions.** The administrator provides a guide that explains the process. Reading it carefully helps you avoid common mistakes. - **Proofread your application.** Errors and missing fields create a poor impression. Review everything before submitting, or ask someone to check it for you. - **Be truthful.** Provide only accurate information. Dishonesty can lead to disqualification and damage your reputation. Taking the time to prepare a complete and accurate application that clearly shows your results and interest in the industry will give you the best chance of success.

## Career Prospects The fields funded by the Santam Bursary lead to careers across the insurance, financial services, and agricultural sectors, all of which offer strong prospects for skilled professionals. Because the programme also includes mentorship and work opportunities, recipients are well prepared to enter the job market. Graduates in **Actuarial Science, Statistics, Mathematics, and Data Science** can become actuaries, statisticians, data scientists, and analysts. These professionals are essential to the insurance industry, where they assess risk, analyse data, and help companies make sound financial decisions. Actuaries and data specialists are in particularly high demand and enjoy excellent earning potential. Those who study **Accounting, Finance, and Economics** can pursue careers as accountants, financial analysts, economists, and financial managers. These skills are central to the financial services sector and to every organisation, offering stable and rewarding work. Graduates in **Insurance, Reinsurance, Risk Management, and Underwriting** can build careers directly within the insurance industry, where Santam operates. These professionals assess and manage risk, design insurance products, and help protect individuals and businesses against loss. As specialised skills, they offer strong career prospects within a stable and important industry. Those who study **Civil Engineering and Geomatics Engineering** can pursue careers in engineering, construction, and surveying, building and measuring the infrastructure that society depends on. These skills are also valuable to insurers who need to understand and assess physical risks. Graduates in **Agriculture** have a particularly clear pathway through the programme. Santam Agriculture offers mentorship, vacation work, automatic participation in the graduate programme, and the opportunity to be retained as trainee area managers. This means agriculture students can move smoothly from study into employment, building careers in agricultural crop insurance and related fields. As agriculture is essential to food security and the economy, these skills are in real demand. Because the bursary is run by a leading insurer as part of its Skills Development Academy, recipients gain a valuable connection to the company and the broader industry. The focus on both technical and leadership competencies means that graduates are prepared not only to do their jobs well but also to grow into leaders over time. For talented students from financially constrained backgrounds, the Santam Bursary offers funding, tools, mentorship, and work experience, all of which help recipients launch successful careers in the insurance, financial, and agricultural sectors.

## Frequently Asked Questions ## Who can apply for the Santam Bursary? South African citizens who have completed Matric and are studying towards a postgraduate diploma, bachelor's, or honours degree in one of the listed fields, entering their second, third, or final year in 2027, with a 65% average and an interest in short-term insurance, may apply. ## What fields of study does the bursary cover? The bursary covers Accounting, Actuarial Science, Agriculture, Civil Engineering, Data Analytics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Geomatics Engineering, Insurance, Mathematics, Reinsurance, Risk Management, Statistics, and Underwriting. ## What expenses does the bursary cover? Up to a capped amount, the bursary covers registration fees, tuition fees, learning material, accommodation, a laptop, a monthly allowance, and a travel allowance. ## What additional benefits do agriculture students receive? Agriculture students receive a mentor, vacation work, automatic participation in the graduate programme, invitations to business engagements, and the opportunity to be retained as trainee area managers. ## What marks do I need? You need a minimum result of 65% in your undergraduate studies and in your most recent examinations. ## When is the closing date? Applications close on **30 September 2026**. Late applications will not be accepted. ## Is this for first-year students? No. The bursary is for students entering their second, third, or final year of undergraduate or honours studies in 2027. ## How do I apply? Applications are submitted online through the administrator's website. You will need to complete the form and upload your supporting documents. ## Who is given preference? Preference is given to employment equity candidates.

## Applications Closing Applications close on **30 September 2026**. Late submissions will not be accepted, so apply early to make sure your application is considered.

## About the Organization StudyTrust (bursary administrator) Tel: 011 403 1632 Email: apply@StudyTrust.org.za