SARB offers Data Science Master's scholarship for 2027
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is inviting prospective Master's degree students in Data Science and Machine Learning to apply for a full scholarship for the 2027 academic year. This initiative aims to address the severe shortage of skills in South Africa.
Investing in future financial analytics
The South African Reserve Bank, in collaboration with the Data Science Academic Committee of the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (NGA(MaSS)), is offering competitive bursaries.
These scholarships target Master's degree students in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, with a specific emphasis on financial analytics.
The SARB provides these scholarships as part of its corporate social initiatives and External Bursary Scheme, supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds in relevant fields of study.
The bank's core mandate includes maintaining price and financial stability, regulating the financial sector, and managing interest rates, all of which increasingly rely on advanced data analytics capabilities.
This scholarship directly supports the development of critical skills needed for these functions within the South African economy.
Eligibility and application details
To qualify for the SARB scholarship, applicants must have provisional acceptance into an identified Master's programme, with selected modules including financial analytics topics.
Candidates need a relevant Honours degree with an average of at least a 65% overall pass mark, must be full-time South African citizens, and be younger than 35 years of age.
Successful applicants will be expected to attend specific workshops and sign an agreement with the SARB.
The closing date for applications is Saturday, 31 October 2026, with examination results and proof of acceptance required upon submission.
Bursary holders must submit their examination results by Thursday, 31 December 2026.