Bursary programme for future software engineers

Bursar Programme

Unleash your potential.

Why choose BBD’s Bursary Programme

BBD’s Bursary Programme strives to support and grow talented students working towards their degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, BSc, BCom informatics and game design

The Programme is designed around creating opportunities for you to have access to the financial means necessary to compete your studies alongside hands-on exposure to real-world software development, and full access to our Research and Development team (ATC).

Our ultimate goal is to help you meet inspiring, like-minded individuals, build your network, share knowledge and ease your transition from student to working professional.

At the end of your studies, BBD Bursars have the opportunity to join our exciting Grad Programme where you’ll dive into your career, working on real project teams and quickly upskill within BBD’s unique company culture.

Breakdown

Programme breakdown

Beyond providing essential financial support, BBD’s Bursary Programme is a holistic approach to nurturing talent and facilitating a smooth transition from your studies into a career in software engineering in BBD’s dynamic working environment. This is done through:

Vac week

Vac week is your opportunity to step into BBD’s world, meeting fellow bursars, experiencing our culture firsthand, and taking part in an immersive week-long build week. You’ll collaborate on meaningful, tech-driven projects in small groups, learning new tools, solving real problems, and building confidence as you go.

Vac work experience

Built as an incubator-style environment, our vacation work experience gives you the hands-on workplace experience required by many universities while exposing you to real product thinking at BBD. We open a limited number of public applications slots each year, with all BBD Bursars automatically accepted.

Across six weeks in December and January, you’ll work in a team to design, build and deliver a functional product. These aren’t throwaway exercises, but early-stage concepts BBD is genuinely exploring for the year ahead, ranging from internal tools to community-impact platforms.

The result: a fast-paced space to experiment, problem-solve and contribute to something with real practical value, all while getting a feel for how real engineering teams think, collaborate and build.

Experience

The bursary gives you more than financial support. It gives you a direct pathway into a career in software development with BBD. Throughout the programme you’ll gain hands-on, real-world experience that builds your technical confidence and exposes you to how modern software is actually built. You’ll learn from seasoned engineers, work with the latest tools, and start developing the mindset of a professional developer. And when your studies are complete, you’ll have the opportunity to join our Graduate Programme and continue growing your career with a team that’s invested in your success.

Tech

Expect deep exposure to the technologies shaping today’s engineering landscape. Whether it’s AI and machine learning, cloud-native architectures, containerisation, microservices, modern front-end frameworks or full-stack development, you’ll work with the tools real teams use every day. It’s practical, future-focused experience designed to grow your confidence and help you explore where your strengths and interests lie.

And because tech shouldn’t feel boxed in, you’ll also get to stretch your imagination beyond traditional enterprise work, experimenting with everything from gaming concepts to IoT tinkering and the kind of “what if?” ideas that remind you why engineering is fun in the first place.

Mentorship and Support

You’re never doing this alone. With dedicated mentors, guidance from those in the know, and a bursary group full of like-minded people who get what you’re aiming for, you’ll have the support network you need to stay motivated, grow your strengths, and build your path into software engineering.