The scarcity of talent in South Africa and globally makes it essential for Sasol to ensure continuous availability of skills.  To date Sasol has various programmes that enable the development of scholars and graduates.

STEM bursaries

The Sasol Foundation offers a comprehensive bursary to talented individuals who are planning to study full-time towards an undergraduate degree to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers. Priority will be given to degree studies that are in line with future capabilities (Green Economy and Digitalisation), which include disciplines such as Engineering, Information Technology, Data Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences and Construction & Manufacturing among others.   STEM – bursaries are reserved only for qualifying children of Sasol employees, Khanyisa/Inzalo shareholders or candidates from Sasol fence-line communities.  Please note that postgraduate bursaries will not be available for the forthcoming academic year.

Non-STEM bursaries

These bursaries are reserved only for qualifying students from Sasol’s fence line communities (municipalities / districts around Sasol plants / operations); children of Sasol Khanyisa shareholders; and children of Sasol employees, wishing to study towards non-STEM qualifications.  Please note that postgraduate bursaries will not be available for the forthcoming academic year.

These bursary opportunities are limited to South African citizens (by birth only), who are / will be pursuing full-time degree studies at an approved public South African University or University of Technology.

All applicants will undergo screening based on the following criteria: 

1. Must be South African citizenship (by birth only).
2. Household income verifications.
3. STEM / Non-STEM bursaries are reserved only for qualifying children of Sasol employees, Khanyisa/Inzalo shareholders or candidates from Sasol fence-line communities.
4. Academic performance of the applicants.
5. Combined household income must not exceed R800,000.00 per annum. The final selection will prioritise financially needy and academically competitive candidates.
6. Student must be doing their first undergraduate degree.
7. University students applying for 2nd / 3rd / 4th year of studies must have an average of 60% for all modules.
8. Must not be older than 25 years of age, at the time of the bursary application.
9. Must have completed matric within a year from the time of submitting an application or currently completing matric this year if applying for 1st year of degree studies.

Sasol Mining Bursary Opportunities

(Application open from 24 August to 13 September 2026)

Bursary Opportunities: Sasol Mining Fence-line (Mainstream) Programme

Sasol Mainstream bursaries is a performance-based programme with a work-back / pay-back obligation. This is a comprehensive bursary offered to talented individuals who are planning to study full-time towards an undergraduate in selected Engineering, Science and Technology qualification.

The Sasol Mining Fence-line Bursary Programme seeks to attract exceptional young talent to join the organization.

These bursaries support full-time studies leading towards a Bachelor’s Engineering/Engineering in Technology degree at a recognized South African University.

Eligibility is limited to South African Citizens exclusively.

Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme

(Application are currently closed)

The Sasol Bursary programme comprises of a comprehensive package that includes both financial as well as developmental support throughout the study period. Bursaries are awarded for full-time university studies in engineering and science. Upon successful completion of the study period, students may be employed within the Sasol Group through our Graduate Development Programmes.  Note must be taken that Sasol Mainstream bursaries have a workback and/or payback obligation.  Please note that this bursary programme does not accept Technical Maths/Math’s literacy.

The Sasol Bursary Programme comprises:

Applications may be submitted for degrees (no diplomas) in one of the following fields of study:

Undergraduate Studies (B.Eng. / B.Sc.) – Please note that this bursary program does not accept Technical Maths/Math’s literacy.

1. Chemical Engineering
2. Chemistry (Studies to Hons. level will be required)
3. Civil Engineering
4. Data Science – Computer Science
5. Data Science – Mathematics
6. Data Science – Operations Research
7. Data Science – Statistics
8. Electrical Engineering
9. Electronic Engineering
10. Geology  (Studies to Hons. level will be required)
11. Industrial Engineering
12. Mechanical Engineering
13. Metallurgy (Studies to Hons. level will be required) / Metallurgical Engineering
14. Mining Engineering

Undergraduate Studies (B. Eng. Tech.) – University of Technology 

1. Mine Surveying

Postgraduate (M.Sc. / M.Eng. / PhD.)

In order to meet the economic growth needs in South Africa and fulfill our internal demand for highly skilled postgraduates in science and engineering fields, Sasol grants postgraduate bursaries for M.Sc., M.Eng., and Ph.D. studies in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.  Please note that this bursary program does not accept technical Maths/math’s literacy.

These awards will be made for postgraduate research supporting Sasol and South Africa’s energy and circular economy transition, through application in the following core disciplines: 

1. Chemical Engineering – Fluid Dynamics 
2. Chemical Engineering – Mathematical and Statistical Modelling 
3. Chemical Engineering – Process Modelling 
4. Chemical Engineering – Reactor Technology 
5. Chemical Engineering – Separation Technology 
6. Chemical Engineering – Thermodynamics 
7. Chemistry – Advance analytical Chemistry in the areas of Vibrational Spectroscopy or Gas Chromatography 
8. Chemistry – Catalysis or Polymer Science 
9. Chemistry – Environmental Science in the areas of Water, Waste or Air, or in Air with focus on dispersion modelling
10. Cyber Security 
11. Data Science – Applied Mathematics 
12. Data Science – Statistics  

 Applicants are not required to have a formal project proposal ready but should know in which area of chemistry or chemical engineering they would like to study and must be able to discuss possible topics which will support the current sustainability imperatives. 

Successful candidates will engage with Sasol technical experts and academic supervisors to finalise a project proposal. 

Fields for Study

Applicants may submit their applications for degree programs (excluding diplomas) in the designated fields of study if they are presently enrolled as 1st to 4th-year students pursuing Bachelors degree at a South African University. The eligible disciplines are as follows:

1. Electrical Engineering
2. Electronic Engineering
3. Geology (Please be aware that obtaining an Honours degree is mandatory for pursuing this field of study)
4. Industrial Engineering
5. Mechanical Engineering
6. Mining Engineering
7. Mine Surveying at the University of Johannesburg only

• These bursary opportunities are exclusively available to South African citizens (by birth only) from Sasol Mining Fenceline communities, who are or will be undertaking degree studies at a public South African University or University of Technology.

Application Criteria – Minimum Criteria

Bursaries are available to individuals in their first to fourth academic year of studies in 2024, pursuing the relevant qualifications or degrees.

First-year applicants should provide their Grade 11 / Grade 12 results, second-year students must submit their first-year results, third-year students are required to submit their second-year results, and fourth-year students must submit their third-year results, all meeting the specified minimum requirements:

1.  B.Eng. and B.Sc.Eng

• Level 6:  70 -79% for Mathematics (not Maths Literacy)
• Level 6:  70 -79% for Physical Science
• Level 5:  60 – 69% for English First Additional language or
• Level 5:  60 – 69% for English home language or
• Level 4:  50 – 59% for English Second Additional language

2.  B.Eng. Tech.

• Level 5:  60 – 69% for Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) and
• Level 5:  60 – 69% for Physical Science and
• Level 5:  60 – 69% for English First Additional language or
• Level 5:  60 – 69% for English home language or
• Level 4:  50 – 59% for English Second Additional language

Students currently in the second, third and fourth academic year of studies must apply with the academic results of the previous study year, with the following minimum requirements

1. The student must be registered for full-time study this year towards the applicable degree qualification.
2. Applications must be registered for full time studies towards an academic degree at an accredited and approved South African University. NB. Studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA) will not be considered/allowed.
3. No bursaries will be awarded for studies at a University of Technology, except for studies in Mine Surveying.

Notes for all applicants

1. Applicants must be South African citizens with a valid ID document/card.
2. Shortlisted applicants must be willing and able to avail themselves for online psychometric testing as part of the selection process. These assessments will take place before the interview phase.
3. A full academic record (from start date of studies to end) and proof of registration is required when students apply.
4. Proof of permanent home residence –municipality and district (the address you will return to during holidays) will be required when students apply.
5. Note that the bursary offer will be withdrawn/terminated should it be determined that the student has not physically permanently resided in one of the municipalities specified during the date of application/awarding of the bursary.
6. All bursaries awarded are subject to the condition that applicant should be able to complete studies within a maximum period of 5 years (from start date to completion date for the specific degree course).  The minimum criteria will still be valid though.
7. Bursaries is will not be availed to students enrolled for so-called dual/combined/hybrid degree program.
8. Students should be discouraged to apply for a bursary, well knowing that they are not complying with the requirements of this bursary programme/applying with false intensions as it may lead to termination of the contact.
9. Please note that all notifications regarding the status of student applications (whether successful or unsuccessful) will be provided by the end of November.

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