Total South Africa Bursaries

Total aims to attract talented people with its Bursary Programme and considers themselves a learning organisation because it understands that it is people who will drive the company’s growth and strategy.

Total was established in South Africa in 1954, after a Frenchman came to visit and saw a large, well established agricultural industry. Total first entered the market by supplying farmers with lubricants for their machinery. It was in 1956 that Total embarked on the development of a service station network. Today Total has a strategically positioned network of service stations along with 530 service stations located throughout South Africa

What bursaries are offered

Total offers bursaries to learners who require financial assistance for full-time tuition at an FET college or a university in order for them to achieve a formal qualification e.g. a certificate, diploma or degree.

The aim of the bursary programme is to:

• Enhance youth development and employability
• Create a pool of talent to feed into the internship programme
• Create a skills pool for scarce and critical skills required by the company.

We offer bursaries in the following fields:

• Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, and Civil);
• Economics;
• Finance (Accounting or Tax);
• Marketing;
• Environmental Studies;
• Human Resources;
• Logistics/Supply Chain Management;
• Law and Governance;
• Health and Safety.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Priority consideration for bursaries is given to previously disadvantaged South African students who have successfully completed their Grade 12 with a university exemption;
• Bursaries are also provided to students in their third year of studies provided they have achieved an average of 65% or greater for years 1 and 2 and require funding to continue their studies.
• To be eligible learners should not be receiving any financial assistance from another institution or company.
• Applicants should be between the ages of 18 and 23.

What does the bursary cover?

• Tuition fees
• Books and stationery
• Accommodation (if necessary, subject to review).

Applications should include the following information to be considered:

• Application letter motivating why a bursary should be awarded in your favour
• Curriculum Vitae with contact details (more than one contact number or address)
• Certified copies of recent academic record/transcript
• Proof of registration/admission letter from tertiary institution
• Certified copy of identity document
• Proof of parents’/guardian’s income.

How to apply:

Visit the Total website for application forms.

Applications can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or sent via post to:

The closing date for bursary and internship applications is 30 October each year for the following year’s intake.