Bursary Programme 2027 at Mercedes-Benz South Africa

Mercedes-Benz South Africa invites ambitious, high-performing students and current Grade 12 learners to apply for its prestigious Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic intake. As a global leader in automotive excellence and advanced manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz South Africa is dedicated to nurturing technical and operational talent to sustain industrial innovation. This comprehensive funding and development initiative is geared towards cultivating South Africa\'s next generation of engineers, IT specialists, supply chain professionals, and corporate leaders.

Successful candidates receive holistic financial support alongside direct practical industry exposure at the manufacturing plant in East London. The bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation, meals, stationery, and a monthly stipend to ensure recipients can focus entirely on their academic achievements. By bridging academic learning with corporate immersion, the programme creates a clear pathway from university education to long-term career success within the global automotive sector.

Key Responsibilities & Core Duties

• Maintain an exceptional standard of academic performance throughout each semester at an accredited South African university.
• Participate actively in mandatory vacation work practical programmes hosted at the Mercedes-Benz production facilities in East London.
• Complete industrial assignments, cross-departmental rotations, and automotive technical projects under the guidance of senior mentors.
• Submit comprehensive academic progress reports, examination transcripts, and module updates following each university evaluation cycle.
• Adhere to corporate safety policies, automotive quality standards, and high professional conduct expectations during workplace training.

Ideal Candidate Profile & Core Attributes

• Demonstrates disciplined academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and an innate aptitude for analytical problem-solving.
• Displays high accountability, self-motivation, and effective time-management skills to balance rigorous university study schedules.
• Possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling smooth integration into multicultural engineering and operational teams.
• Shows a clear passion for the automotive manufacturing industry, advanced robotics, digital transformation, and sustainable mobility.

Learning, Mentorship & Career Progression

Bursary holders gain invaluable, direct workplace exposure at the world-class Mercedes-Benz East London manufacturing plant during university vacation breaks. Under the direct mentorship of seasoned technical leaders and engineers, bursars work on live production lines and enterprise support systems. This structured experiential learning provides a seamless transition toward the company\'s flagship graduate development programmes, offering pathways toward permanent technical and management careers across Mercedes-Benz.

How to Apply & Submission Guidelines

Applications must be submitted online through the official Mercedes-Benz careers portal before the closing date of 12 November 2026. Applicants must upload a comprehensive CV in PDF format, certified copies of their ID, and official academic records (latest third-term Grade 12 results or full tertiary transcripts). Candidates must complete the required online screening questionnaire thoroughly. Please note that the provided contact email is exclusively for administrative queries; emailed applications will be automatically disqualified.

• South African-born citizenship with preference given to Eastern Cape residents and dependents of MBSA employees.
• Current Grade 12 learners achieving an overall minimum average of 70%, with at least 65% in Mathematics and/or Physical Science.
• Current full-time undergraduate students maintaining a minimum average of 65% across recent semester results.
• Studying or intending to study toward degrees in Engineering (Industrial, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Chemical), IT, Software Development, Metrology, Metallurgy, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Supply Chain, or Human Kinetics.
• Certified copy of South African Identity Document and up-to-date academic transcripts or Grade 12 term reports.