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.
OMT - Oppenheimer Memorial Trust • Private Sector
Apply for the OMT Postgraduate Bursary 2026. Funding is available for Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral studies in South Africa and abroad. Learn eligibili
NSFAS: National Student Financial Aid Scheme • Government
Apply for the NSFAS Bursary 2026. Get full funding for university or TVET studies including tuition, accommodation, and allowances and fulfil your dreams
AfriSam (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd • Private Sector
Glencore • Private Sector
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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.