Postgraduate Bursaries
Funding for Honours, Master's and PhD students at South African universities. Includes government-backed funding (NRF), foundation grants (Claude Leon, Canon Collins), and dedicated programmes for actuarial science and AI research.
26 postgraduate bursaries
- Postgraduate Deadline 20 Oct 2026 (8d)
Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK FCDO (South African candidates are nominated by the Department of Higher Education and Training)
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK funds Commonwealth citizens to study in the United Kingdom. South Africans are eligible for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, which fund a one-year taught Master's at a UK university, but not for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, which are limited to least developed and fragile countries. Funded by the UK FCDO, the Master's award covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, return airfare and other allowances for talented candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. South African applicants are nominated through the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Full scholarship (no fixed cash amount): full UK tuition + monthly stipend of GBP 1,712 (GBP 2,000 in the London area) at current rates, plus return airfare, a study travel grant and other allowancesView details → - Postgraduate Deadline 23 Oct 2026 (11d)
SARB CEJ Scholarship in Economics Journalism (Rhodes University)
South African Reserve Bank Centre for Economic Journalism (SARB CEJ), funded by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) (hosted at the Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies; applications administered by the Rhodes University Postgraduate Funding Office)
The SARB Centre for Economic Journalism (CEJ) offers full South African Reserve Bank scholarships for postgraduate journalism study at Rhodes University, aimed at building skills in economics and community journalism. Awards cover all course-related costs, residence accommodation and meals during term time, and a stipend for living costs, and can be held on the PG Diploma in Journalism, PG Diploma in Economics Journalism, BA Honours (Journalism) or MA (Journalism). Preference is given to female candidates from a previously disadvantaged background who originate from the Eastern Cape, though candidates from a Commerce background are also encouraged to apply. Applications for 2027 close on 23 October 2026.
Full South African Reserve Bank Scholarship covering all course-related costs, residence accommodation and meals during term time, and a stipend for living costs.View details → - Postgraduate Deadline 30 Oct 2026 (18d)
Discovery Foundation Awards
Discovery Foundation
The Discovery Foundation Awards are grants for doctors and institutions in the public healthcare sector, not an undergraduate bursary. The Foundation offers five awards each year: Academic Fellowship Awards (PhD research by medical specialists), Sub-specialist Awards (HPCSA-accredited sub-specialist training) and three Rural and Underserved Areas awards (Individual, Institutional and Distinguished Visitor). Individual applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents living in South Africa; undergraduate students cannot apply.
Varies by award (2024 guide figures): R800,000 for a PhD Academic Fellowship; R1.1 million a year for Sub-specialist Awards; up to R25,000 to R500,000 for the rural and underserved areas awardsView details → - Postgraduate Deadline 31 Oct 2026 (19d)
Meat Industry Trust (MIT) Bursary Scheme
Meat Industry Trust (MIT) (applications assessed by the MIT's Bursary Working Committee)
The Meat Industry Trust (MIT) Bursary Scheme funds South African Master's and Doctoral students whose research applies to red meat species — cattle, sheep and goats — across fields such as consumer insights, environmental sustainability, genetics, animal health, product safety, meat science and livestock nutrition. It awards R60,000 per annum and can continue for the duration of the degree, subject to progress and re-registration. Selection by the MIT's Bursary Working Committee is based on academic merit, the scientific quality of the project proposal and the contribution the project could make to the red meat industry.
R60,000 per annum. Master's degree: maximum R120,000 over 2 consecutive years. Doctorate: maximum R180,000 over 3 consecutive years.View details → - Postgraduate Deadline 23 Nov 2026
NRF Postgraduate Scholarship
National Research Foundation (NRF) / Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)
The DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship is South Africa's flagship public research funding for Honours, Master's and PhD students at South African public universities. Awards are made at Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) across science, engineering, technology, the social sciences and the humanities, with FCS reserved for South Africans who are financially needy, living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers. For the 2027 academic year, Honours applications close on 23 November 2026; first-time Master's and Doctoral applications closed on 3 July 2026.
2027 values per year: Honours R180,000 (FCS) or R140,000 (PCS); Master's R190,000 (FCS) or R145,000 (PCS); Doctoral R200,000 (FCS) or R150,000 (PCS). FCS holders also receive a once-off R10,000 electronic study device allowance, and students living with a disability can get up to R20,000 for assistive technology.View details → - Postgraduate Deadline 06 Dec 2026
Agbiz Centenary Bursary
Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) - administered directly by Agbiz
The Agbiz Centenary Bursary funds one academic year of postgraduate study (Master's or PhD) for South African students researching agribusiness management and related fields. Established to celebrate Agbiz member organisations that have reached 100 years, it supports high-level academic research and offers guidance from Agbiz in shaping the research topic. Typically one deserving student is funded per cycle.
R47,500 for the 2026 academic year (the 2027 terms and conditions do not state the 2027 amount)View details → - Postgraduate Deadline 08 Dec 2026
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust (University of Cambridge; established in 2000 with a gift from the Gates Foundation; applications via the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal)
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious, full-cost award that funds outstanding postgraduate students from outside the UK - including South Africans - to study a full-time PhD, MLitt or one-year Master's at the University of Cambridge. Established in 2000 with a gift from the Gates Foundation, it covers the full University Composition (tuition) Fee, a maintenance allowance, airfares, visa costs and more. Around 80 scholarships are awarded each year to applicants who combine intellectual excellence with leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
Full-cost scholarship: full University Composition (tuition) Fee plus a maintenance allowance of GBP 23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 single-student rate; pro rata for shorter courses; PhD awards run up to 4 years)View details → - Postgraduate Deadline 31 Jan 2027
Skye Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship
Skye Foundation (Skye Foundation Trust and Skye International Foundation Trust, founded 1997 by the Zylstra family; administered directly by the Skye Foundation Trust, with jointly-funded awards run alongside the Cambridge Trust and the Oxford Clarendon Fund)
The Skye Foundation funds outstanding young South Africans of exceptional merit to pursue postgraduate study and research under leaders in their field, at South African universities with strong research records or, at the trustees' discretion, at recognised institutions abroad. The scheme is nomination-only: candidates cannot apply directly and must be nominated by their faculty dean, with support from academic leaders in their discipline, by 31 January each year. Jointly-funded routes include the Skye Cambridge Scholarship (with the Cambridge Trust) and the Skye Foundation Oxford Clarendon Scholarship.
Generous, variable awards that may, depending on circumstances, cover tuition fees, living expenses and other costs; awards are generally for one academic year and may be renewed. The jointly-funded Skye Cambridge Scholarship covers the University composition fee, college fee and an annual stipend for up to 3 years.View details → - Postgraduate Deadline 28 Feb 2027
Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF) Bursary
Poliomyelitis Research Foundation
The Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF) funds postgraduate students conducting research into virology. Bursaries support BSc (Hons), MSc and PhD candidates who are already registered for the degree, for up to 2 years (MSc) or 3 years (PhD), and applications are submitted to the PRF at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). The PRF lists 28 February and 15 September as its annual bursary closing dates.
Value not published on the PRF website; bursaries fund postgraduate virology research at BSc (Hons), MSc and PhD levelView details → - Postgraduate 2027 dates TBA
AIMS Google DeepMind AI for Science Scholarship
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in partnership with Google DeepMind
The AIMS Google DeepMind Scholarship is a fully residential one-year Master's programme at AIMS South Africa in Cape Town, training African students in AI for Science - combining artificial intelligence and machine learning with real scientific research problems. Google DeepMind committed to funding 40 scholars a year for four years from September 2023.
Fully funded Master's (tuition + accommodation + living expenses + medical insurance + flights)View details → - Postgraduate 2027 dates TBA
FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship for International Postgraduate Study
FirstRand Foundation (administered in-house by the FirstRand postgraduate scholarship office; coordinator Giselle Ras)
The FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship funds exceptional young South Africans to pursue a Master's or PhD in any field at an international university of their choice. The flagship "any-field" award offers up to R1.5 million for a Master's and up to R2 million for a PhD, with personal interest and mentorship from Laurie Dippenaar himself. It is open to South African citizens (preference for those under 35) who commit to returning to and working in South Africa for at least five years after graduating.
Up to R1.5 million for a Master's degree and up to R2 million for a PhDView details → - Postgraduate 2027 dates TBA
HCI Foundation Bursary Programme
HCI Foundation (corporate social investment arm of Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd, administered by the HCI Foundation Bursary Department in partnership with university Financial Aid / Advancement offices)
The HCI Foundation Bursary Programme offers partial postgraduate funding to financially needy, academically strong South African students completing full-time Honours degrees or Postgraduate Diplomas at public universities and universities of technology. The bursary covers tuition fees up to R42,000 per year, with no repayment and no work-back obligation under normal circumstances. Applications are by invitation only through selected universities - the Foundation's online portal has been permanently discontinued.
Partial bursary covering tuition fees up to R42,000 per year, paid directly into the student's fee account at their institution (around July each year)View details → - Postgraduate 2027 dates TBA
NERSA External Bursary - Master's and PhD
National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) (regulatory authority established under the National Energy Regulator Act, 2004; regulates the electricity, piped-gas and petroleum pipelines industries; administered in-house by the NERSA Human Resources Department, Arcadia, Pretoria)
The NERSA External Bursary funds previously disadvantaged South African citizens studying towards a Master's or PhD degree at a South African university or university of technology in fields relevant to NERSA's regulatory mandate over the electricity, piped-gas and petroleum pipelines industries. There is no fixed bursary value: the amount is set by a financial means test within NERSA's maximum and minimum assistance figures, and can cover registration fees, tuition, accommodation and prescribed books or a laptop. No application form is used — applicants email or post the compulsory supporting documents to NERSA's Human Resources Department. The 2026 round closed on 12 February 2026, and NERSA had not published a 2027 advert by 12 October 2026.
No fixed value. The approved bursary amount is determined by a financial means test, within NERSA's set maximum and minimum assistance figures, based on the applicant's financial circumstances.View details → - Postgraduate Closed (06 Oct 2026)
Chevening Scholarship (South Africa)
Chevening (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, administered by the Chevening Secretariat)
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government's flagship, fully funded award for emerging leaders to complete a one-year taught master's degree at any UK university. South Africa has a dedicated country programme, and the scholarship is open to South African citizens in any field of study who plan to return home and contribute to their country. It covers full tuition, a living stipend, return flights and more.
Fully funded — full tuition + living stipend + return flights + allowances (no fixed cash figure published)View details → - Postgraduate Closed (06 Oct 2026)
SAMRC Research Capacity Development Scholarships and Funding
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
This is not an undergraduate or MBChB bursary. The SAMRC funds postgraduate health research only, through programmes such as the Postgraduate Research Associate Programme (Master's and PhD), the Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme, the Clinician Researcher Development Programme and the Researcher Development Award. It is for South African citizens and permanent residents studying full-time towards a Master's or PhD at a South African university who have a committed supervisor in an SAMRC research unit, centre or platform to host and mentor them for the full degree. The Postgraduate Research Associate call for 2027 enrolment closed on 6 October 2026.
Postgraduate Research Associate Programme (2027 call): PhD R250,000 a year and Master's R200,000 a year, covering tuition and stipend. Other SAMRC programmes include the Clinician Researcher Development Programme (up to R600,000 a year for full-time MBChB/BChD PhD candidates) and the Researcher Development Award (up to R250,000 once-off for a final-year PhD).View details → - Postgraduate Closed (30 Sept 2026)
SACTA NPC Trust Bursary
South African Cultivar & Technology Agency (SACTA) NPC (administered by Agri Manage Solutions (Pty) Ltd)
The SACTA NPC Trust Bursary funds South African postgraduate students whose research advances the country's grain and oilseed breeding and technology industry, covering Honours, Master's and Doctoral studies in fields such as plant breeding, agronomy and seed technology. Master's by dissertation students receive R99,750 per year for up to two years and Doctoral researchers R131,250 per year for up to three years. The bursary is funded from statutory breeding and technology levies on self-pollinated grain and oilseed crops and carries a work-back obligation in the South African grain and oilseed industry. Applications open on 1 September and close on 30 September each year.
Master's by Dissertation: R99,750 per annum for up to 2 years | Doctoral Research: R131,250 per annum for up to 3 yearsView details → - Postgraduate Closed (30 Sept 2026)
SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
The SANSA Postgraduate Bursary Programme funds Honours, Master's and Doctoral students pursuing STEM qualifications linked to South Africa's space sector, including Earth observation, remote sensing, GIS, space science, physics, mathematics and engineering. It targets students with at least a 65% average who can show financial need, and pays R150,000 to R170,000 a year depending on the level of study. The call for 2027 bursaries closed on 30 September 2026.
Honours: R150,000 p.a. | Master's: R160,000 p.a. | Doctoral: R170,000 p.a.View details → - Postgraduate Closed (24 Sept 2026)
DAAD Scholarships for Study and Research in Germany
DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg, hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand, responsible for South Africa and Southern Africa)
The DAAD Scholarships are funded through the German Academic Exchange Service to support South African and Sub-Saharan African graduates to complete a Master's or PhD, or a research stay, in Germany. The portfolio includes the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master's in Public Policy and Good Governance), Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), and DAAD doctoral programmes and Research Grants. Awards pay a monthly stipend plus health insurance and travel allowances, with a German language course, tuition-fee exemption or rent and family allowances depending on the programme. The DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg offers free information sessions and consultations.
Monthly stipend of EUR 992 for Master's students (EPOS and Helmut-Schmidt-Programme) and EUR 1,400 for doctoral candidates and Research Grant holders, plus health insurance, travel allowance and, depending on the programme, a language course, tuition-fee exemption and rent or family allowancesView details → - Postgraduate Closed (24 Sept 2026)
Patrick & Margaret Flanagan Scholarship for Overseas Study
Rhodes University (administered by the Rhodes University Postgraduate Funding Office on behalf of the Patrick & Margaret Flanagan Trust, established under the will of the late Margaret Ellen Flanagan)
The Patrick & Margaret Flanagan Scholarship funds women for full-time postgraduate (Master's or PhD) study at an international university, in any field of study. It is administered by Rhodes University's Postgraduate Funding Office under the bequest of the late Margaret Ellen Flanagan, and the 2027 call advertised it as full-cost funding for international Master's and doctoral study. Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Trinity College Dublin are the preferred host institutions, but the award is not restricted to them. Candidates must be English-speaking (proficiency in English for tertiary study is enough), and preference goes to applicants of South African descent. The award is distinct from the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford.
Advertised for 2027 as full-cost funding for international Master's or doctoral study. Rhodes University's General Conditions put the value at up to R750,000 per year for a maximum of two years, towards tuition, residence fees, book and clothing allowances and pocket money. Under the 2027 call, travel, relocation and visa costs are the scholar's own responsibility, nothing is paid before registration, and allowances are paid quarterly once the scholar has registered.View details → - Postgraduate Closed (15 Sept 2026)
SASAS Post-Graduate Bursary
South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) (administered in-house by the SASAS Secretariat; applications submitted to The Secretary by email)
The SASAS Post-Graduate Bursary supports SASAS student members pursuing Honours or Master's degrees in Animal Science or Animal Production at South African universities. The value is set each year by the SASAS Council and paid in two annual instalments directly to the recipient, conditional on their SASAS membership remaining valid. It targets exceptional (cum laude) graduates committed to completing their studies within set time limits.
Value determined by the SASAS Council; paid in two instalments (one per year) directly to the successful recipient, conditional on the recipient's SASAS membership remaining valid.View details → - Postgraduate Closed (09 Sept 2026)
Schwarzman Scholars (South Africa)
Schwarzman Scholars Foundation (hosted at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, Beijing)
Schwarzman Scholars is a prestigious, fully funded one-year master's programme that brings outstanding young leaders from around the world to study at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing. South African nationals apply through the U.S./Global application for the Master of Management Science in Global Affairs, which welcomes graduates from any undergraduate field. The award covers tuition, accommodation, travel, health insurance and a personal stipend, alongside an immersive leadership-development experience in China.
Fully funded for one year: tuition and fees, room and board, travel to and from Beijing, an in-country study tour, required course books and supplies, a laptop, health insurance and a personal stipendView details → - Postgraduate Closed (02 Sept 2026)
Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship
Canon Collins Trust
The Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship funds postgraduate study at South African universities in Justice, Education and Humanities - open to nationals of 10 southern African countries pursuing Master's or PhD research with a focus on social change.
Between R20,000 and R100,000 per year (depending on circumstances)View details → - Postgraduate Closed (31 Aug 2026)
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Postgraduate Scholarship
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT)
The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust funds Master's, Doctoral and Postdoctoral study for academically excellent scholars intending to pursue careers in academia, research and development in South Africa. Awards are discretionary and partial (co-funding), based on a budget submitted by each applicant, and are made twice a year. Funding is tenable mainly at South African universities, and in exceptional cases internationally for highly specialised disciplines not available locally.
Value is not fixed - awarded at the Trustees' discretion and never on a full-cost basis, against a budget covering tuition, living costs, travel and books. The award is reduced by the value of any other funding you secure.View details → - Postgraduate Closed (03 Aug 2026)
Rhodes Scholarship for Southern Africa
Rhodes Trust (administered by the Southern Africa Regional Secretariat, Johannesburg)
The Rhodes Scholarship for Southern Africa is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious postgraduate awards, fully funding outstanding young leaders to study at the University of Oxford. It covers all Oxford course fees plus a living stipend for up to two years (three for a DPhil), and the constituency's ten scholarships a year are open to citizens and long-term residents of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and eSwatini. It is distinct from the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, which is run by a separate foundation for study within South Africa.
Full Oxford course fees + annual stipend of GBP 21,060 for 2026-27 (GBP 1,755 a month), the latest published figureView details → - Postgraduate Closed (14 Apr 2026)
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is one of Africa's most prestigious postgraduate awards. It funds African citizens to complete a one-year Honours or two-year Master's degree at a recognised South African university, alongside an immersive Leadership Development Programme that runs throughout the scholarship.
Full tuition + accommodation + living stipend + leadership programmeView details → - Postgraduate Closed (08 Apr 2026)
Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship (South Africa)
U.S. Department of State (administered by the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in South Africa, Fulbright Office)
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a U.S. government scholarship that sends South Africans to universities in the United States for postgraduate study. It funds Master's or PhD study (awarded for two years for one degree) and one-year Visiting Student Researcher placements for South African PhD students, in almost any field, with support that includes visa processing, health insurance and pre-departure orientation. It targets high-achieving South African graduates with strong academic records and leadership potential.
Full grant: tuition + monthly living stipend + airfare + visa + health insuranceView details →
Postgraduate funding in South Africa - what to know
Honours vs Master's vs PhD funding
Honours funding is generally the most competitive - fewer bursaries cover the Honours year, and many funders prefer to start funding at Master's. The NRF covers all three levels, while bursaries like Claude Leon and Canon Collins focus on Master's and PhD research.
The work-back question
Unlike most undergraduate corporate bursaries, postgraduate funding typically does NOT come with a work-back obligation. The expectation is that you complete and publish your research, not that you join the funder as an employee.
Apply broadly
Postgraduate bursaries are awarded on academic merit and research proposal strength. Strong candidates routinely apply to 3–5 funders - there's no penalty for accepting one offer and declining others.