Arts and Humanities Bursaries in South Africa for 2027
Find arts and humanities bursaries in South Africa for 2026. Explore funding opportunities for languages, media, communication, history, psychology and related studies.
Fine Music Radio: FMR • Private Sector
Funding is available for students in South Africa studying music. The Fine Music Radio Trust is accepting online applications for 2026 until 12 June.
National Research Foundation with Department of Innovation and Science • Private Sector
Get funding for Masters and PhD studies in South Africa with the DSI-NRF Human Development Bursary 2027.
ACT: Arts & Culture Trust • Private Sector
Apply for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship 2026. Funding up to R300,000 for performing, visual, and digital arts students in South Africa.
Browse by Study Field
Arts and Humanities bursaries are often overlooked because they don't receive the same attention as Engineering, Medicine or Accounting. However, there are still many funding opportunities available for students studying subjects such as Languages, Journalism, Media Studies, Communication, History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Creative Writing, Fine Arts, Performing Arts and related humanities qualifications.
One thing that makes this category unique is that bursary providers are often looking for specific skills rather than a broad field of study. For example, media organisations may fund Journalism students, while arts foundations may support Fine Arts or Performing Arts students. Some bursaries focus on preserving South African languages, promoting cultural development, supporting creative industries, or strengthening research in the humanities.
Students should also understand that Arts and Humanities funding often comes from different sources compared to STEM fields. Foundations, trusts, universities, cultural organisations, media companies, NGOs, and government departments play a major role in supporting students in these disciplines. This means opportunities may not always appear under traditional bursary searches and sometimes require a bit more research.
At postgraduate level, funding becomes more common, especially for students conducting research in history, language studies, literature, social development, heritage, culture and communication-related fields.
Many scholarships and grants are specifically designed to support research projects that contribute to South African society, education and cultural preservation.
The biggest mistake students make is assuming there are no bursaries for humanities qualifications. While there may be fewer opportunities than some professional fields, students who search within their specific discipline often discover funding opportunities that many others miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are questions South Africans who are students, graduates, undergraduates and scholars are asking everyday.
Yes. Various arts councils, foundations, cultural organisations and educational institutions offer funding for students studying Fine Arts, Music, Drama, Dance and other creative disciplines.
Many humanities careers are spread across different industries rather than concentrated within one sector. As a result, funding tends to come from a wider range of organisations and is often targeted at specific disciplines rather than the entire humanities field.
Universities, government departments, cultural foundations, media organisations, trusts, NGOs and arts councils are among the most common funders within this category.
Yes. Communication, Public Relations, Media Studies and related qualifications often qualify for bursaries offered by media companies, communication agencies and corporate organisations with communication-focused programmes.