Postgraduate Bursaries Still Open for 2027
Find Open postgraduate bursaries & scholarships in South Africa for 2027. Funding for Honours, Masters, PhD and postgraduate diploma studies.
Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) – Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (FPE) • Private Sector UPDATED
Pharmacy bursary for postgraudate students in South Africa. The bursary covers Masters and PhD studies. Apply today.
South African Medical Research Council • Government UPDATED
Apply for the SAMRC Medical Research Bursary 2026. Funding for postgraduate medical and health science studies in South Africa. Closing date: 30 April 20
Google • Private Sector UPDATED
Apply for the Google PhD Fellowship 2026 for computer science. Fully funded with stipend, tuition support, and more.
University of the Western Cape (UWC) • Government UPDATED
Funding for female Social Work postgraduate students now open for the Erika Theron Trust Scholarship 2026 at UWC. Apply before 30 April 2026.
University of the Western Cape (UWC) • Government UPDATED
UWC Financial Aid Assistance 2026 applications are now open. Check eligibility, requirements, documents, and how to apply at UWC.
Australia Awards • Government UPDATED
Apply for the Australia Awards Scholarship 2026. Fully funded postgraduate study in Australia for South African students.
World Maritime University • Government
Apply for the TETA WMU Scholarship 2026. Fully funded MSc in Maritime Affairs in Sweden for South African students.
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.
Mandela Rhodes Foundation: MRF • Private Sector
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2027 offers full funding for Honours or Master’s studies in South Africa, including leadership training for high-potential
Fulbright South Africa • Bursary
Apply for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2027–2028. Fully funded Master’s, PhD and research scholarships for South African students to study in th
University of the Western Cape (UWC) • Government
Apply for the Levenstein Masters Bursary 2026 at UWC. Funding for Science, IT and Health postgraduate students. Closing date: 31 March 2026.
Department of Tourism • Government
Apply for the Department of Tourism Bursary in South Africa. Funding available for tourism, hospitality and related studies for eligible students in 2026
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Postgraduate Bursaries in South Africa for 2027
Postgraduate bursaries in South Africa help students continue their studies after completing a bachelor’s degree. If you are planning to study further in 2026, there are many funding options available for Honours, Masters, PhD and postgraduate diploma qualifications.
Bursaries for post graduates are offered by universities, government departments, SETA organisations, and private companies. Some focus on academic performance, while others support students based on financial need or field of study.
Below is a clear breakdown of postgraduate funding options available in South Africa.
Honours Bursaries
An Honours degree is usually the first level of postgraduate study in South Africa. It is registered at NQF Level 8 and is completed after a bachelor’s degree. Most Honours programmes take one year full-time.
Honours bursaries are available for students who meet academic requirements set by universities and funding providers. Some bursaries focus on specific fields like education, science, engineering, or commerce. If you are applying for honours bursaries, check your final-year marks and make sure you meet the minimum entry criteria.
Many postgraduate scholarships also cover Honours studies, especially for students who plan to continue to Masters level.
Masters Bursaries
A Masters degree is registered at NQF Level 9 and usually requires an Honours qualification for admission. Masters programmes may be coursework-based, research-based, or a combination of both.
Masters bursaries are commonly available through universities, research councils, government departments, and private institutions. Funding may cover tuition fees, research costs, and sometimes a monthly allowance.
Students searching for postgraduate bursaries for education, engineering, health sciences, or business can find specialised masters bursaries in those fields. Always check application deadlines carefully, as many Masters funding opportunities close early.
PhD Bursaries
A PhD, also known as a doctoral degree, is registered at NQF Level 10. This qualification is research-based and requires a completed Masters degree.
PhD bursaries are often funded through research grants, universities, and national funding bodies. These bursaries usually focus on research areas that support development in South Africa. Funding may include tuition, research support, and a stipend.
If you are applying for PhD bursaries, you will typically need a research proposal and supervisor approval before submitting your funding application.
Other Postgraduate Funding Options
In addition to Honours, Masters and PhD bursaries, there are also postgraduate diploma bursaries available in selected fields. SETA postgraduate bursaries may support studies linked to scarce skills and industry demand.
Postgraduate scholarships may be merit-based, while bursaries can be merit-based, need-based, or work-back funded.
On this page, you can find a list of open postgraduate bursaries in South Africa for 2026. Each listing includes key details, eligibility criteria, and closing dates to help you apply on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are questions South Africans who are students, graduates, undergraduates and scholars are asking everyday.
Postgraduate bursaries are funding opportunities for students who want to continue their studies after completing an undergraduate degree. These bursaries support studies such as Honours, Masters, Postgraduate Diplomas, and PhD programmes. Many government departments, universities, and private companies offer bursaries for post graduates to help cover tuition fees and research costs.
Who qualifies for bursaries for post graduates?
Most bursaries for post graduates require applicants to:
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Have completed an undergraduate qualification
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Be accepted or registered for postgraduate studies
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Meet academic performance requirements
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Submit required supporting documents
Some funding providers also consider financial need and the chosen field of study.
Yes. Many institutions and organisations offer masters bursaries to students pursuing research-based or coursework master’s degrees.
These bursaries often cover tuition fees and sometimes provide funding for research projects and study materials.
Honours bursaries are funding opportunities for students enrolling in an Honours degree after completing a bachelor’s degree.
Since Honours is classified as postgraduate study in South Africa, many funding providers include it under postgraduate bursaries.
Postgraduate scholarships are usually awarded based on academic excellence or research potential, while postgraduate bursaries may focus on financial need or specific study fields.
Both provide funding for Honours, Masters, PhD, and postgraduate diploma studies.
Yes. SETA postgraduate bursaries are offered by Sector Education and Training Authorities to support studies aligned with industry skills needs.
These bursaries often focus on specific sectors such as engineering, finance, education, IT, and other technical fields.
PhD bursaries provide financial support for doctoral research students.
These bursaries usually cover tuition fees and may include research funding or stipends. PhD funding is often competitive and may require research proposals and academic recommendations.