Amazon Undergraduate Bursaries 2027: A Practical Guide for South African Tech Students

The Amazon Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 is now open for applications, offering South African undergraduate students in technology-related fields a major opportunity to receive financial support, workplace exposure, mentorship, and a possible route into a full-time software engineering career.

Applications for the programme are open from 01 June to 30 September 2026, with the bursary aimed at students who will be entering their final academic years in 2027. Administered by StudyTrust on behalf of Amazon, the bursary is designed for high-performing students with a strong interest in software development, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, and related technical disciplines.

More than a funding opportunity, the programme connects academic study with real-world industry experience through a mandatory paid Amazon internship and possible consideration for a full-time Software Development Engineer role from January 2028.

A Bursary Built Around the Future of Software Engineering

For many students, university funding is the most immediate concern. Tuition, accommodation, books, transport, and technology costs can create serious barriers to completing a degree. The Amazon Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 addresses that challenge by offering broad financial support while also linking students to one of the most competitive fields in the global technology economy.

The programme is particularly relevant for students who already see themselves building software products, solving technical problems, designing systems, working with algorithms, or contributing to emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

At its core, the bursary is not simply about helping students finish university. It is structured as a talent-development pathway, identifying promising South African students and preparing them for possible careers as Software Development Engineers.

Key Details Applicants Should Know

The programme is officially listed as the Amazon Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 and is administered by StudyTrust on behalf of Amazon.

Applications run from 01 June to 30 September 2026, and the opportunity is open only to South African citizens studying at South African universities.

Applicants must have a minimum academic average of 65% or higher and must be entering either the final year of a three-year degree in 2027 or the third year of a four-year degree in 2027. Candidates should also intend to continue with Honours-level studies after completing their undergraduate programme.

Successful recipients must complete a mandatory paid Amazon internship, which may lead to consideration for a full-time Software Development Engineer role from January 2028.

Fields of Study Covered

The bursary is aimed at students pursuing technology-related qualifications. Eligible fields include:

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and related Science and Engineering programmes with strong coding skills.

Students from other science or engineering disciplines may also be considered, provided they can demonstrate strong coding ability and technical aptitude. This is important because modern software engineering increasingly draws talent from multiple academic backgrounds, especially where students have built practical programming experience alongside their formal studies.

What the Amazon Bursary May Cover

The Amazon Undergraduate Bursary Programme provides comprehensive financial support to reduce the cost of university education.

The bursary may cover tuition fees, accommodation, subsistence allowance, books and stationery, personal computer, transport.

For students in demanding technical fields, this kind of support can be significant. A personal computer, for example, is not only a study tool but often a core requirement for programming assignments, software projects, online collaboration, coding practice, and technical interviews.

Why the Paid Internship Matters

One of the most valuable parts of the programme is the mandatory paid Amazon internship. For students studying software-related disciplines, practical experience can be a major advantage when entering the job market.

During the internship, students may gain exposure to real-world software development environments. They may write production-level code, work on engineering projects, participate in software design discussions, collaborate with technical teams, and learn Amazon development practices.

The internship also gives Amazon an opportunity to assess future engineering talent. For students, it provides a chance to test classroom knowledge in a professional environment and build experience that can strengthen long-term career prospects.

The Software Development Engineer Pathway

A central feature of the bursary is its link to Amazon’s Software Development Engineer career pathway.

Software Development Engineers at Amazon work on large-scale technology platforms, build software solutions, solve technical problems, and develop customer-focused systems. This makes the programme especially suitable for students who enjoy coding, algorithms, mathematics, systems design, problem-solving, and innovation.

Successful interns may be considered for full-time Software Development Engineer roles after completing their studies. Candidates receiving funding should therefore be open to accepting a permanent role if offered after successful internship performance.

Who Can Apply?

The bursary is open to applicants who meet specific academic, citizenship, and study-location requirements.

Applicants must be South African citizens, currently studying at a South African university, and entering the required academic year in 2027. They must also maintain an academic average of at least 65%.

Eligible students must be entering the final year of a three-year degree in 2027 or the third year of a four-year degree in 2027. They should also intend to continue with Honours-level studies after completing their undergraduate degree.

Who Cannot Apply?

The programme is not open to all students. The following applicants are not eligible:

Master’s degree students, students studying outside South Africa, non-South African citizens, and students who do not meet the minimum academic requirements.

These restrictions make the bursary specifically targeted at South African undergraduate students studying locally and preparing for advanced academic and professional development in technology-related fields.

Documents Applicants Should Prepare

Applicants should prepare the required documents before starting the online process. These include a South African ID, academic transcripts, proof of registration, Curriculum Vitae, and any additional documents requested during the online application process.

A complete and accurate document set is essential. Missing transcripts, unclear uploads, or incomplete personal details can weaken an otherwise strong application.

How to Apply Through StudyTrust

Applications must be submitted through the StudyTrust online application platform.

The process allows applicants to provide their personal, academic, and supporting information in one online profile. Before submitting, applicants should carefully review all details to ensure the application is complete.

The application steps are:

Create or log into your StudyTrust profile. Complete all required personal and academic information. Upload all supporting documents. Review your application carefully before submitting. Submit your application before the closing date.

The closing date is 30 September 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and ensure that all required documents are uploaded correctly.

Click here to apply for Amazon Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027

How to Strengthen an Application

Because this bursary is focused on technology and software engineering potential, applicants should not rely on academic marks alone.

A strong personal statement should highlight coding experience, programming languages, GitHub projects, hackathons, mobile apps, web apps, or open-source contributions. Applicants should also explain their passion for technology, software engineering, and long-term career goals.

Evidence of technical projects can be especially useful. A student who has built a working web application, contributed to open-source software, developed a mobile app, solved algorithmic problems, or participated in hackathons can show practical ability beyond classroom performance.

Strong academic results, problem-solving ability, and clear technical motivation can all improve an applicant’s chances.

Why This Bursary Matters for South Africa’s Tech Talent Pipeline

The Amazon Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 arrives at a time when software development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning continue to shape the future of business and employment.

For South African students, access to funding and industry experience can help close the gap between academic training and workplace readiness. A bursary connected to a paid internship and possible full-time employment gives students more than financial relief; it gives them a structured pathway into the technology sector.

For employers, programmes like this help identify and develop future engineering talent. For universities, they reinforce the importance of technical disciplines that prepare graduates for high-demand digital roles. For students, the programme can transform a degree into a direct career opportunity.

Final Thoughts

The Amazon Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 is a valuable opportunity for South African students who are serious about technology, coding, and software development.

With support that may cover tuition, accommodation, subsistence, books, stationery, a personal computer, and transport, the bursary can ease the financial burden of university study. Its added focus on mentorship, practical work experience, a mandatory paid internship, and possible full-time employment makes it particularly attractive for students pursuing software engineering careers.

Students studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or related fields should apply before 30 September 2026.