Absa Fellowship
Absa Fellowship
Who we are
Absa is ready to shape a new crop of change architects by way of the opportunity of a lifetime: a fully-funded Fellowship that encompasses an exclusive Leadership Development Programme.
The Absa Fellowship Programme is open to candidates between the ages of 18 and 25 years, and is geared towards students who possess unique leadership qualities, and also have a final year school mark of at least 65%. Candidates should be entering their first year of undergraduate studies in 2024. They must also have provisional or full acceptance from a public university in South Africa.
Requirements and eligibility
The Absa Fellowship Programme is open to learners who are citizens of the following African countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
A potential Absa Fellow must be:
- A leader
- A catalyst for change
- Humble and passionate
- Brave and ready to embrace possibility
- Ethical and socially conscious
- Between the ages of 18 and 25 years
- A strong student with a Grade 12/Matric (or equivalent) average of 65% or more
- Entering the first year of tertiary studies, with provisional or full acceptance from a public university in South Africa
Potential Fellows must be studying towards an undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Creative Arts, Mathematics, Humanities (Social Sciences), Entrepreneurship, or Digital/Data Design.
What we offer
The Absa Fellowship Programme goes beyond traditional scholarships. Absa Fellows not only receive financial support covering university tuition fees, but they are also afforded exclusive access to a Leadership Development Programme that nurtures their leadership skills, offers academic tutoring, emotional wellness support, and so much more.
Here’s a list of the benefits covered by the programme
Academic Costs:
- Full tuition
- Accommodation (University and private landlord agreement)
- Laptop
- Textbooks and educational equipment
- Meal allowance
- Monthly stipend
- Student medical aid cover
Leadership Programme:
- Travel, if required
- Learner modules and guides
- Online lectures and assessments
- Emotional wellness check-in sessions, academic tutoring, and mentoring
Apply now
If you embody the qualities of leadership, passion, and humility, and you are committed to positive change, click the button below and apply now!
Related Articles
How to Apply for NSFAS 2027
NSFAS 2027 applications are expected to open in mid-September 2026. The students who do best are the ones who prepare before the portal opens. Here's everything you need to know about who qualifies, what to gather, and how to apply.
Bachelor of Science Degree: What Jobs Can You Get?
A BSc can lead almost anywhere, but where it leads depends entirely on what you studied. Here's a practical breakdown of every major BSc stream, the jobs that come with each one, and what you can realistically expect to earn in South Africa in 2026.
Iwisa No.1 turns 70 – and hands the canvas to South Africa's boldest young designers
It's bolder. It's bigger. It's dripping with culture. As Iwisa No.1 marks 70 years of filling South African homes, its Fills Bold Designer Search returns for 2026 – bigger and better than ever – asking the country's boldest young creatives to help fill the brand's next 70 years. The winning designer is set to dress the brand itself, and every prize puts real tools in young creatives' hands.
