The Competition Commission of South Africa invites applications for its 2026 six-month Internship Programme, offering final-year students an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience in their chosen fields.
The programme is aimed at high-achieving learners who are in their final year of study, have no prior work experience in their field and require practical workplace experience to complete their qualification.
The internship provides an opportunity to gain exposure to the work of South Africa’s competition authority while developing practical skills that can support future career opportunities.
Position Details
Position: The Competition Commission Internship Programme – 6 Months
Job Reference Number: I1000001
Department: Internship
Industry: Public Policy
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
Job Type: Six-month fixed-term contract
Positions Available: 12
Salary: Market-related monthly stipend
Closing Date: 21 August 2026 at 17:00
The internship programme is scheduled to run from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. The advertisement states a six-month contract period, although the dates provided in the original advert contain a typographical inconsistency where the end date is shown as 31 March 2026. Applicants should rely on the intended six-month period beginning in October 2026 and verify the final dates during the application process.
About the Internship Programme
The Competition Commission is offering the internship to learners who are in the final year of their studies and need workplace experience to complete the practical or experiential learning component of their qualification.
The programme is intended for students who have no prior work experience in their field of study. It is therefore particularly suitable for final-year students who have completed most of their theoretical studies but still need practical exposure before obtaining their qualification.
Successful interns will have an opportunity to work in an organisation responsible for promoting and maintaining competition in South Africa. The experience may provide valuable insight into competition law, economics, finance, human resources, information technology, communications, supply chain management and other corporate functions.
Upon successful completion of the programme, interns will receive a certificate of completion. A letter of recommendation from the assigned coach will also be provided.
Fields of Study
Applications are open to final-year learners who require workplace experience in one of the following fields:
- Human Capital
- Information Technology
- Law
- Economics
- Finance
- Supply Chain Management
- Communications
Applicants should ensure that the qualification being studied matches one of the fields listed in the internship advertisement.
The internship must form part of the applicant’s academic requirements. Students who have already completed their qualification or who do not require workplace experience as part of their studies may not meet the target-group requirements.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the basic requirements before submitting an application.
The Competition Commission requires applicants to be South African citizens.
Applicants must also have no previous work experience in the same field of study. The programme is specifically aimed at learners who need their first practical workplace exposure related to their qualification.
Applicants must be in the final year of theoretical study and must require practical workplace experience to complete their qualification.
A strong academic record is expected. An average of 70% or higher will be an added advantage. Students should therefore ensure that the latest academic transcript submitted with the application accurately reflects their academic performance.
Applicants should also be able to provide evidence of academic achievements or meaningful extracurricular activities. Participation in community service, student organisations, projects, leadership activities or other initiatives may strengthen an application where relevant.
Strong communication skills are also important. Applicants should have good written and verbal communication abilities, as well as the ability to work effectively with other people.
The Commission is also looking for candidates with sound analytical, research and investigative skills. These abilities are particularly relevant to an organisation involved in analysing markets, investigating competition-related matters and supporting economic and legal decision-making.
Computer literacy is another requirement.
What the Internship Offers
The six-month programme is intended to provide more than theoretical exposure. Interns will have the opportunity to gain practical experience within a professional working environment.
A monthly stipend will be provided to successful interns.
The programme also offers a supportive and stimulating workplace where interns can learn from experienced professionals and develop their skills.
Depending on the area of placement, interns may gain practical exposure to areas such as competition law, economics, finance and corporate services.
The programme also includes structured learning, coaching and professional development opportunities. Each intern will be assigned a coach who can provide guidance throughout the internship.
This type of workplace exposure can help final-year students understand how concepts learned at university or college are applied in a professional environment.
Skills and Personal Attributes
Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in developing their careers and gaining practical experience.
Important attributes include:
- Good written communication
- Strong verbal communication
- Analytical thinking
- Research skills
- Investigative ability
- Computer literacy
- Commitment to learning
- Professional conduct
- Ability to work with others
- Strong academic performance
- Community involvement
- Proactive participation in activities outside academic coursework
Candidates who can demonstrate how their academic achievements and extracurricular activities have contributed to their development may have an advantage during the selection process.
Documents Required
Applicants must prepare the required supporting documents before completing the online application.
The following documents are required:
Latest Academic Transcript:
The transcript should be current and clearly show the applicant’s academic results.
Experiential Learning Requirement Letter:
A letter from the applicant’s academic institution must confirm that practical workplace experience is required to complete the qualification.
Curriculum Vitae:
The CV should provide accurate information about academic qualifications, achievements, skills, extracurricular activities, community involvement and other relevant information.
Applicants with qualifications obtained outside South Africa must also provide a SAQA evaluation certificate.
It is advisable to ensure that all documents are clear, up to date and correctly named before uploading them.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed against the requirements of the internship programme.
Shortlisted applicants may be required to complete assessments as part of the selection process. Candidates should therefore be prepared to demonstrate their analytical, communication, research and problem-solving abilities.
Successful candidates will also be required to undergo the Commission’s security screening and vetting processes.
Submitting an application does not guarantee selection. Only shortlisted candidates will receive feedback.
The Commission also reserves the right not to make an appointment or to withdraw the recruitment process where circumstances such as budgetary constraints, organisational priorities or other relevant considerations affect the recruitment process.
Employment Equity and Inclusion
Employment Equity considerations will form part of the appointment process in addition to operational requirements.
The Competition Commission is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should provide accurate information where required during the application process.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is particularly suitable for a student who is currently in their final year and needs workplace experience before completing a qualification.
Students studying Law, Economics, Finance, Human Capital, Information Technology, Supply Chain Management or Communications should carefully review the requirements and consider applying if they meet all the criteria.
The programme may provide valuable practical exposure for students preparing to enter the employment market. Gaining experience in a professional organisation can help graduates understand workplace expectations and develop practical skills alongside their academic knowledge.
However, applicants should pay close attention to the requirement concerning no prior work experience in the same field. The programme is targeted at learners who still require experiential learning as part of their qualification.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online.
Before applying, candidates should prepare the following:
- Updated CV
- Latest academic transcript
- Experiential learning requirement letter from the academic institution
- SAQA evaluation certificate, where applicable
Applicants should carefully check that all information entered on the application is correct and that the required documents have been uploaded.
Only online applications will be accepted.
The closing date is 21 August 2026 at 17:00. Applications should be submitted before the deadline to avoid missing the opportunity.
Important Information
The Competition Commission Internship Programme is a six-month fixed-term opportunity intended for final-year students who need workplace experience to complete their studies.
The programme offers practical exposure, coaching, professional development and a monthly stipend. Successful interns will also receive a certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation from their assigned coach after successfully completing the programme.
Candidates should not wait until the closing day to prepare their documents. Academic transcripts and experiential learning letters may take time to obtain from an institution, so applicants should begin preparing the required documentation as soon as possible.
The opportunity is based in Pretoria, Gauteng, and applicants should take the location into consideration before submitting an application.
Closing Date
Applications close on 21 August 2026 at 17:00.
Interested and suitably qualified final-year learners are encouraged to apply before the closing date.
Only online applications will be accepted. Feedback will be provided to shortlisted candidates only.