The Absa Fellowship Programme 2026 is an opportunity for young South Africans who are preparing to begin their first year of undergraduate study at a public university in South Africa.
The programme goes beyond traditional financial support by focusing on leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability and community impact. Each year, Absa selects 50 fellows who demonstrate potential, passion and purpose.
If you are looking for a bursary or fellowship opportunity in South Africa, here is everything you need to know about the Absa Fellowship Programme 2026, including the eligibility requirements, fields of study, selection process and application deadline.
Quick Overview
| Opportunity | Details |
| Programme | Absa Fellowship Programme 2026 |
| Organisation | Absa |
| Opportunity Type | Fellowship |
| Number of Fellows | 50 |
| Age Requirement | 18–25 years |
| Academic Requirement | 65% or higher |
| Study Level | First-year undergraduate |
| Institution | Public university in South Africa |
| Fields of Study | Commerce, Humanities & Social Sciences, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Creative Arts, Digital/Data Design |
| Application Closing Date | 10 September 2025 |
| Application Method | Online application |
Important: The information supplied states that applications close on 10 September 2025. That deadline has already passed as of September 2026, so applicants should verify the current status with Absa before relying on this listing.
About the Absa Fellowship Programme
The Absa Fellowship Programme is designed to support young people with the potential to become future leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers.
The programme is aligned with Absa’s focus on financial inclusion and sustainability and aims to equip selected fellows with skills, knowledge and a mindset that can help them contribute to growth and innovation across Africa.
Rather than focusing solely on academic achievement, the fellowship looks for young people who demonstrate potential, passion and purpose.
The programme aims to develop fellows who can make a positive contribution to their communities and potentially pursue leadership roles in the private or public sectors or build their own businesses.
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Who Is Absa Looking For?
The fellowship is aimed at young, emerging leaders who meet the programme’s eligibility criteria.
Applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 25 years old.
- Have achieved a pass mark of 65% or higher.
- Be enrolling as a first-year undergraduate student at a public university in South Africa in 2026.
- Be pursuing a degree in one of the approved fields.
- Submit the application using their own personal details.
Applicants could submit either their June 2025 preliminary results or final matric results, according to the information provided.
Fields of Study
Students applying for the Absa Fellowship Programme should be enrolling in one of the following areas:
- Commerce
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Science, including health science, but excluding medical and veterinary studies
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Creative Arts
- Digital/Data Design
Applicants should carefully confirm that their specific degree falls within an eligible field before applying.
Application Process
The Absa Fellowship selection process consists of several stages.
Phase 1: Pre-screening
Applications are first reviewed to determine whether applicants meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
Only applicants who meet the requirements progress to the next stage.
Phase 2: Psychometric Assessment
Applicants who successfully pass the pre-screening stage receive a voucher code by email to access the psychometric assessment.
According to the information provided, the email is sent from Absafellowship@fundi.co.za.
Applicants should regularly check their inbox as well as their spam or junk folder.
Phase 3: Shortlisting
Applicants are shortlisted based on their performance in the psychometric assessment.
Phase 4: Interviews
Shortlisted applicants are invited to participate in an interview as part of the final selection process.
Important Application Guidelines
Applicants should take particular care when completing their application.
The application must be submitted using the prospective student’s own details, including:
- Full name
- Email address
- Cellphone number
- Other required personal information
Applications submitted using a parent or guardian’s details will not be accepted or considered.
The programme also states that parents and guardians should not correspond with Absa about an applicant’s application because of data privacy requirements.
Is the Fellowship Only for Children of Absa Employees?
No.
The information provided states that the programme is open to all prospective students who meet the eligibility requirements.
Applicants do not need to be children or relatives of Absa employees, and no preference is given to applicants based on their relationship with Absa staff.
No late applications were to be accepted.
Because this deadline has passed, prospective applicants should not assume that applications are currently open. Check the latest official Absa fellowship information for any new intake or updated programme.
Why Consider the Absa Fellowship Programme?
The fellowship could be valuable for young people who want more than academic financial support.
Its focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation and community impact can provide a broader development opportunity for students who aspire to become future leaders or entrepreneurs.
Being selected as one of the 50 fellows would also represent a competitive achievement for a young student beginning their university journey.
However, applicants should always confirm exactly what financial and developmental benefits are included in the current fellowship terms before applying.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Absa Fellowship Programme 2026 open for applications?
The supplied information states that applications closed on 10 September 2025. As of September 2026, that deadline has passed. Applicants should check Absa’s latest official information for a new or current intake.
Who can apply?
The stated criteria require applicants to be 18–25 years old, achieve a 65% or higher pass mark, and enrol as first-year undergraduate students at a public university in South Africa in 2026.
How many fellows are selected?
The programme selects 50 applicants each year, according to the information provided.
What marks are required?
Applicants need a pass mark of 65% or higher.
Which fields of study are eligible?
Eligible fields include Commerce; Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Technology; Engineering and Mathematics; Creative Arts; and Digital/Data Design. Medical and veterinary studies are excluded.
Can a parent apply on behalf of a student?
No. The application must be completed using the prospective student’s own personal and contact details.
What happens after applying?
Eligible applicants go through pre-screening, followed by a psychometric assessment, shortlisting and interviews.
Final Thoughts
The Absa Fellowship Programme 2026 was designed to support young South Africans with strong academic performance and the potential to become future leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers.
The programme’s focus extends beyond university studies, with an emphasis on leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability and positive community impact.
However, the stated 10 September 2025 closing date has already passed. Anyone interested in the opportunity should verify whether Absa has announced a subsequent fellowship intake before submitting personal information.
Always use the official application instructions and avoid paying anyone who claims they can secure a fellowship or guarantee selection.
Simphiwe Dube is the Founder and Managing Editor of sa-learnership.co.za, an independent South African platform dedicated to publishing accurate information about learnerships, bursaries, internships and skills development programmes.
He specialises in researching and verifying updates from official government departments, SETAs, TVET colleges and accredited institutions to ensure readers receive clear, reliable and up-to-date guidance.
Simphiwe is committed to simplifying complex education and career information so that South African students, graduates and job seekers can make informed decisions with confidence.