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Bursary Guide

Eswatini · Economics or Business

For a female Eswatini citizen who did Grade 12 (SA NSC) and now wants to study Economics or Business. Seven options ranked by fit. Use "Help Me Apply" for personalised emails.
Start here

Seven bursaries you can actually get as an Eswatini citizen studying Economics or Business. Red badge = apply first. Green badge = strong option. Want your personal chance of winning each one, plus an email draft with your details already in? Go to Help Me Apply.

Female applicant advantage

Because you are a young African woman, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program moves you up their priority queue. They actively weight applications from women, refugees and disabled students. Lean into this in your personal statement. Your realistic Mastercard chance is higher than the base number on the card.

Apply first

Eswatini Government Scholarship (PTET Loan)

Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Scholarship Secretariat
If you win
R60,000/year
Tuition covered at local or COMESA institution
Deadline
30 June (annual)
Rough base chance: 40% (fill in Help Me Apply for your personal estimate)
Top 3 tips
  1. Apply the moment the portal opens, not at the deadline. Priority goes to early complete applications.
  2. Pick a priority field. Data Science, Actuarial, Business Analytics, Investment Management and Insurance all get moved to the front of the queue.
  3. Get your admission letter first. You need one attached to the application. Work on UNESWA admission in parallel to PTET paperwork.
  4. You completed Grade 12 in SA (NSC), not Eswatini Form 5. PTET accepts equivalent qualifications but confirm this with the Scholarship Secretariat before submitting (phone +268 2404 3174).
Actions in order
  1. Download the PTET application form from www.slas.gov.sz
  2. Apply to UNESWA (or SADC university of choice) for admission
  3. Gather certified copies of ID, NSC certificate (SA matric), parent income proof
  4. Complete PTET form, attach documents, submit online before 30 June
  5. Follow up by phone after 3 weeks: +268 2404 3174
Apply here → Contact: info@slas.gov.sz
Apply first

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Mastercard Foundation, via UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP, UWC
If you win
R300,000/year
Fully funded: tuition, housing, food, laptop, flights, stipend
Deadline
March to May (varies by partner)
Rough base chance: 3% (fill in Help Me Apply for your personal estimate)
Top 3 tips
  1. Apply to all five partner universities, not just one. Each has its own portal and deadline. Five shots at the same money.
  2. Lead with your story of overcoming barriers. This scholarship is for students whose marks are good AND whose economic situation is difficult. Make both clear.
  3. You are a woman and an African applicant. That is two priority markers before you even open the form. Lead your personal statement with your story, not your marks.
Actions in order
  1. Apply to UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP and UWC for admission
  2. Register on mastercardfdn.org and start the Scholars Program application for each partner
  3. Write one strong 500-word personal statement, then adapt for each portal
  4. Line up three referees by July
  5. Submit every application before its partner deadline
Apply here → Contact: scholars@mastercardfdn.org
Apply first

Standard Bank Group Bursary

Standard Bank Group, operates in Eswatini
If you win
R120,000/year
Full tuition + guaranteed job after graduation (2-3 years service)
Deadline
1 May to 30 September annually
Rough base chance: 7% (fill in Help Me Apply for your personal estimate)
Top 3 tips
  1. Practice the video interview before the real one. Record yourself, watch it back, fix what sounds rehearsed.
  2. Pick Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Economics or IT. These are the priority queues.
  3. Apply in May or June, not September. Earlier applications get processed while reviewers still have bandwidth.
Actions in order
  1. Open the Standard Bank bursary portal from 1 May
  2. Complete the online application with transcripts and personal statement
  3. Pass the online reasoning test
  4. Prepare for video interview (practice 5 minute answer on 'why Standard Bank')
  5. Submit before 30 September
Apply here → Contact: bursaries@standardbank.com
Strong option

South African Government SADC Scholarship

SA Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
If you win
R90,000/year
Full tuition + accommodation at SA public university
Deadline
March to April annually
Rough base chance: 18% (fill in Help Me Apply for your personal estimate)
Top 3 tips
  1. This is underused. Fewer applicants than the big names, so your odds are better. Most students do not know this exists.
  2. Apply through the SA High Commission in Mbabane. They guide you through the paperwork and can fast-track.
  3. Pair it with admission at UJ, UP, or Wits for the best chance of both coming through together.
Actions in order
  1. Visit the SA High Commission in Mbabane to pick up paperwork
  2. Apply for admission at 2 or 3 SA public universities in parallel
  3. Get your NSC results certified by the Eswatini Ministry of Education
  4. Submit completed forms to DHET via the High Commission by April
  5. Follow up with a polite email after 4 weeks
Apply here → Contact: internationalscholarships@dhet.gov.za
Strong option

University of Johannesburg SADC Merit Bursary

University of Johannesburg
If you win
R45,000/year
Partial to full tuition at UJ
Deadline
October annually for following year
Rough base chance: 12% (fill in Help Me Apply for your personal estimate)
Top 3 tips
  1. Apply early for UJ admission. Bursary is processed automatically once you are admitted. No separate form.
  2. Marks matter more than family situation here. If your average is above 80%, this is a near-lock.
  3. Pick Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences as your first choice to match scholarship priorities.
Actions in order
  1. Apply for UJ undergraduate admission via the UJ online portal
  2. Check the SADC applicant box
  3. Upload NSC results and certified ID
  4. Wait for admission offer. Bursary decision comes with it.
  5. Email finaid@uj.ac.za if you do not hear back in 6 weeks
Apply here → Contact: finaid@uj.ac.za
Strong option

UNESWA Foundation Scholarships

University of Eswatini Foundation (alumni pool)
If you win
R35,000/year
Partial to full tuition at UNESWA
Deadline
Aligns with UNESWA admission cycle
Rough base chance: 25% (fill in Help Me Apply for your personal estimate)
Top 3 tips
  1. You must be admitted to UNESWA first. Get the admission letter, then apply.
  2. Write directly to the Foundation Office. A personal letter makes a real difference here.
  3. Mention specific donors if you can find their names in the UNESWA annual report. Personalised asks get better response rates.
  4. UNESWA Foundation usually expects Eswatini school-leaving certificate. Your SA NSC is internationally recognised but mention your Eswatini citizenship up front in the letter.
Actions in order
  1. Apply to UNESWA and secure admission letter
  2. Visit or email the UNESWA Foundation Office
  3. Write a 300-word letter explaining your financial need and academic goals
  4. Include your admission letter, NSC results and a reference from a teacher
  5. Follow up after 2 weeks if no response
Apply here → Contact: foundation@uneswa.ac.sz
Strong option

Taiwan ICDF Scholarship

Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund
If you win
R250,000/year
Full: tuition, flights, monthly stipend (around R250k/year)
Deadline
January to March annually
Rough base chance: 15% (fill in Help Me Apply for your personal estimate)
Top 3 tips
  1. Fewer applicants from Eswatini apply here than to SA scholarships. Your odds are much better than the 15% suggests.
  2. Pick International Business or International Trade programme. Both are English-taught and fit Economics students.
  3. The Taiwan Embassy in Mbabane actively helps applicants. Walk in early in the year for guidance.
Actions in order
  1. Visit the Taiwan Embassy in Mbabane for paperwork and guidance
  2. Pick a Taiwan partner university with an English-medium business programme
  3. Apply for university admission in Taiwan directly
  4. Complete the ICDF scholarship application on icdf.org.tw
  5. Submit by the March deadline with all supporting documents
Apply here → Contact: project@icdf.org.tw
Personalise your plan

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How to actually win one

Seven moves that increase your chance across the board. Document checklist at the bottom. Timeline for a January 2027 start.

1. Apply to everything in the Apply First and Strong tiers.

Scholarship outcomes are a lottery with weighted odds. The biggest variance in who gets funded is who actually submitted applications. Plan two weekends to complete all 7. No self-selection.

2. Secure the Eswatini Gov scholarship first.

The PTET Loan is a near-default for Eswatini citizens. Get that foundation before chasing competitive ones. Many scholarships stack on top of it. Some require disclosure.

3. Match marks to scholarship tier.

matric distinction marks unlock Mastercard and SA merit bursaries. Mid-tier marks still work for PTET and Standard Bank. Below that, focus on the financial-need angle. Mastercard is specifically for students whose marks are good but whose barriers are extreme.

4. Apply to the university first, scholarship second.

Most scholarships require an admission letter before they process. Apply to 4-5 institutions early so letters are in hand before bursary deadlines.

5. One strong personal statement, then localise.

Draft a 500-word core statement. Personal background, why Economics or Business, career vision, local impact. For each scholarship, adapt 100 words to match the funder priorities. Do not start from scratch each time.

6. Three referees lined up by July.

An academic referee (head of school or maths teacher), a mentor or employer, and a community leader (pastor, chief, community project lead). Give them the personal statement so their references align.

7. Budget for the gap.

Even a fully-funded scholarship has gaps. First-month expenses, books, visa fees. Plan for R5-10k of bridge money from family, church or community donors. Have this lined up before scholarships process.

Documents to gather before you start

  1. Certified copy of Eswatini ID or passport
  2. NSC certificate and results statement (SA Department of Basic Education certified)
  3. University admission letter (from each institution)
  4. Personal statement (500-1000 words)
  5. CV (2 pages, academic format)
  6. Two or three reference letters
  7. Proof of financial need (parent income statement, where applicable)
  8. Passport-sized photograph (colour, plain background)
  9. Family composition form (for need-based applications)

Timeline for January 2027 start

May to Jul 2026University applications open. Apply to UNESWA and 3-4 SA institutions
Jun to Sep 2026Scholarship applications (PTET deadline late June, Standard Bank closes 30 Sep)
Oct 2026Admission letters arrive. Chase universities if delayed
Nov to Dec 2026Scholarship interviews (Mastercard, Standard Bank). Prepare with mock video sessions
Jan 2027University term starts. Funding confirmed or bridge plan activated
Do not waste time on these

Scholarships that come up in lists online but do not accept Eswatini applicants, or only accept postgraduates. Save them for later (postgrad ones) or skip entirely.

Beit Trust
Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi only. Eswatini not eligible.
NSFAS
South African citizens only. Skip.
Chevening (undergrad)
Postgrad only. Come back after your first degree.
Fulbright (undergrad)
Postgrad only. Come back after your first degree.
Rhodes Scholarship
Postgrad only. Eswatini has one slot per year. Aim here after Honours.
Caveats. Your percentage chance is a rough estimate based on typical competition and your inputs. Real rates are not published. Every scholarship changes rules each year, so check the official website before submitting. Generated emails are drafts. Add anything specific to your situation (a line about your family, a community story, a teacher who backed you), then send. The more personal, the better your chance.