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South Africa Undergraduate Fully Funded

Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme 2027 Intake (East London)

The Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme 2027 provides comprehensive financial support including tuition, accommodation, meals, stationery and a stipend, plus vacation work experience at the East London manufacturing plant. Open to Grade 12 learners and current tertiary students, with preference for Eastern Cape residents and children of MBSA employees.

October 21, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Nov 12, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountrySouth Africa
Degree LevelUndergraduate
Funding TypeFully Funded
Fields of StudyComputer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, Software Development
DeadlineNovember 12, 2026

Scholarship Overview

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Overview

The Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme 2027 Intake offers one of the most comprehensive corporate bursary packages available to South African students. Based at the company’s manufacturing facility in East London, Eastern Cape, this programme combines full financial support with structured vacation work experience, creating a direct pathway into employment with a leading global automotive manufacturer.

For applicants from Zimbabwe and the broader SADC region, this bursary presents a significant opportunity to study at South African universities while gaining practical experience. However, strict citizenship requirements apply—only South African-born citizens are eligible.

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What the Bursary Covers

The Mercedes-Benz South Africa bursary is a fully funded package that addresses all major study expenses:

  • Tuition fees – full coverage for your chosen qualification
  • Accommodation – residence costs while studying
  • Meals – daily sustenance allowance
  • Stationery and study materials
  • Monthly stipend – for personal expenses
  • Vacation work experience – paid practical training at Mercedes-Benz East London during university breaks

Conditions apply to the vacation work component, which serves as both income supplementation during breaks and critical industry experience.

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Eligible Fields of Study

Applications are accepted only in these specific disciplines:

Engineering & Technical

  • Computer Engineering, Information Technology or Software Development
  • Industrial, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronics
  • Metallurgy
  • Metrology
  • Analytical Chemistry or Chemical Engineering (BSc)
  • Human Kinetics & Ergonomics

Business & Operations

  • Finance, Accounting or Economics
  • Supply Chain or Logistics

Who Can Apply

The bursary has tiered eligibility with clear preference structures:

  • Grade 12 learners currently completing their final year
  • Current tertiary students enrolled in full-time studies—first-year students receive preference
  • South African-born citizens only (naturalised citizens are excluded)

Preference order:

  1. Applicants residing in the Eastern Cape
  2. Children of Mercedes-Benz South Africa employees

For Zimbabwean and SADC applicants: This bursary is not directly accessible unless you hold South African birth citizenship. Consider alternative funding pathways such as the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship or CyprusAid Scholarship which accept international applicants.

Academic Requirements

Mercedes-Benz maintains rigorous academic standards:

Applicant Type Requirement
Grade 12 learners 70% overall average; 65% in Mathematics and/or Physical Science where required for chosen field
Current tertiary students 65% average based on latest semester results

Current Grade 12 applicants must submit their latest third-term results. All shortlisted candidates are assessed using their most recent available academic results.

Required Documents

Incomplete applications are automatically rejected. Prepare these certified documents:

  • CV/resume in PDF format (ensure reasonable file size for uploading)
  • Certified copy of Grade 12 third-term results (current learners) OR most recent full tertiary academic record plus matric certificate (current students)
  • Certified copy of ID document
  • Completed application questionnaire (mandatory—failure to complete disqualifies your application)

How to Apply

Follow this process carefully:

  1. Visit the official Mercedes-Benz South Africa careers portal
  2. Locate the bursary posting (Reference: MER00049EO, published 15 October 2026)
  3. Complete the online application form in full
  4. Upload all required documents in specified formats
  5. Submit the mandatory questionnaire
  6. Submit before the deadline—late applications are not considered

Critical warning: The email address mbsaelTalentPipelines@mercedes-benz.com is for queries only. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Use only the official online portal.

Selection Timeline

Mercedes-Benz South Africa commits to Employment Equity principles, including recruitment of persons with disabilities. If you do not receive communication within 6 weeks of the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.

Contact Information

Queries: mbsaelTalentPipelines@mercedes-benz.com (email only—no applications)

Physical address:
Mercedes-Benz South Africa Ltd
7 Settlers Way, Gately Industrial Township
East London 5200

Contact person: Sheneera Rehana Chantal Renga
Email: sheneera.renga@mercedes-benz.com

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Official scholarship page: https://jobs.mercedes-benz.com/the-mercedes-benz-south-africa-bursary-programme-2027-intake-east-london–242569-MER00049EO

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Tuition fees, accommodation, meals, stationery, monthly stipend, and vacation work experience at Mercedes-Benz East London

Eligibility Criteria

South African-born citizens who are Grade 12 learners or full-time tertiary students; first-year students preferred; Eastern Cape residents and children of MBSA employees receive preference

Required Documents

CV/resume (PDF), certified Grade 12 third-term results or latest tertiary academic record with matric certificate, certified ID copy, completed questionnaire

Application Process

Apply online through Mercedes-Benz South Africa careers portal; submit all documents and mandatory questionnaire; email applications not accepted
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The bursary is restricted to South African-born citizens only. Naturalised citizens are not eligible. Zimbabwean and SADC applicants should explore alternatives like the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme or University of Nicosia CyprusAid Scholarship.
Your application will be disqualified. The questionnaire is mandatory, and failure to complete it results in automatic rejection regardless of your academic qualifications.
No. The email address mbsaelTalentPipelines@mercedes-benz.com is for queries only. Applications sent by email will not be considered. You must apply through the official online portal.
The 65% Mathematics and/or Physical Science requirement applies only where required for your chosen field. For IT and Software Development, check whether your specific university programme requires Physical Science—if not, the Mathematics requirement may suffice.
Very competitive. Preference is given to first-year students, Eastern Cape residents, and children of MBSA employees. Achieving well above the minimum 70% (Grade 12) or 65% (tertiary) averages significantly improves your prospects, as does completing all documentation perfectly.
Vacation work experience is marked with 'conditions apply' in the official documentation. This typically means availability depends on business needs, your academic performance, and satisfactory conduct. It is not automatically guaranteed.

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