phd funding south africa

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Doctoral Funding

About doctoral funding.

The Doctoral degree at UJ develops the intellectual, research and professional skills of the student. At UJ we provide doctoral programmes that are intense, challenging and stimulating within a heightened learning environment, thereby creating an intellectually rewarding experience. UJ Doctoral graduates are recognised experts who have made distinctive contributions in their fields.

The Postgraduate School (PGS) provides support to the University of Johannesburg’s Doctoral students. This is done through the Postgraduate Funding Management (PFM) area. PFM is responsible for communicating the various postgraduate funding options made available at UJ for Doctoral level of study.

Doctoral students are funded from internal and external funds in order for them to successfully complete their qualifications. Scholarships that are offered under internal funding are categorized as Global Excellence Stature with the research focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and URC funds. URC funds have various sub-categories and are listed as UJ-Commonwealth, URC International, Supervisor-Linked (SLB) bursaries and Special URC. SLB bursaries are available for both the part-time and full-time students.

PFM has embarked on reaching our success plan by increasing number of postgraduate students. Funding for doctoral students are crucial to the university’s goals, hence external funders are assisting the university in reaching these goals. External funders are National Research Foundation (NRF), Department of Science and Innovation and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (DSI-CSIR), Duke CE, Organisation for Women in Science (OWSD) and various Sector of Education and Training Authority (SETA) organisations. Students can only apply when the call for these scholarships is out.

Postgraduate Funding Opportunities brochure click here

Do you have what it takes to be a Rhodes Scholar?

We wish to draw to your attention a wonderful post-graduate opportunity available for postgraduate students at the University of Johannesburg who would like to further their studies at Oxford University. Online applications for the 2025 Rhodes Scholarships will open from 01 June 2024 and will close on 01 August 2024.

This is a prestigious scholarship, South African students who are interested in furthering their Masters and Doctoral studies at Oxford University are welcome to apply. High achievers who meet the requirements as indicated on the attached letter and encourage to apply.

Students need to obtain background and detailed information on the application process before the call opens for applications (01 June 2024). Therefore, a virtual information session will be held to reach a large number of attendees and details are as follow:

Date: Monday, 13 May 2024

Time: 13:00 pm – 14:00 pm

Platform: Zoom

Meeting link:   https://tinyurl.com/2nmz7ysm

Students are to RSVP by 12 May 2024 (17:00)

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Ph.D scholarships in South Africa for International students 2024-2025

Find Ph.D scholarships for international students to study in South Africa 2024-2025.

Stellenbosch University GEM Scholarships for PhD Students 2024 South Africa

The Graduate School of Economic and Management Sciences (GEM) is currently accepting applications for its full-time, funded doctoral programme. Applications will be considered for the following two scholarship opportunities:  GEM Elite Doctoral Scholarships: Full-time doctoral s

Published: 12 Aug 2024 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Value: R200 000 Deadline: 15 Aug 2024

University of Pretoria (UP) Doctoral Commonwealth Scholarship 2025

The University of Pretoria is a research-intensive university. Hence, it is seeking candidates for doctoral studies who will make significant contributions to its research endeavours. As part of South Africa's contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, the University of Pr

Published: 05 Jul 2024 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 11 Sep 2024

ICGEB Arturo Falaschi Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024

ICGEB offers competitive Postdoctoral Fellowships in Life Sciences to highly motivated scientists wishing to pursue postdoctoral research in a world-class scientific environment. The Fellowships comprise a very competitive package including stipend, health insurance and additional benefits. The most

Published: 10 Jan 2024 Type: PhD Study in: India , Italy , South Africa Deadline: 31 Mar 2024

Stellenbosch University 2023 GEM Scholarships for PhD Students (South Africa)

Published: 24 Jul 2023 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 15 Aug 2023

Stellenbosch University 2023-2024 Faculty Of Arts And Social Sciences Residential PhD Scholarships

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University is pleased to announce a limited number of full-time scholarships for PhD studies commencing in 2024 The Graduate School coordinates the partly-structured, full-time doctoral scholarship programme and administers the doctoral scho

Published: 13 Jul 2023 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 01 Aug 2023

African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) 2023 Scholarships for Doctoral Study (Public Mental Health)

The African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) is a mental health research capacity building programme. AMARI-II builds on the initial AMARI-I which ran from 2015 - 2022. AMARI-II is being implemented with funding support of the second phase of the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Trainin

Published: 14 Jun 2023 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 31 Aug 2023

African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) 2023 PhD Scholarships for Africa

AERC wishes to announce the 2023/2024 Ph.D. scholarships for applicants from Francophone and Anglophone sub-Saharan African countries admitted into any of the following AERC Collaborative PhD Programme (CPP) in Economics degree-awarding universities:  University of Cape Town, South Afri

Published: 28 Apr 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Benin , Cameroon , Cote d'Ivoire , Kenya , Nigeria , South Africa , Tanzania Deadline: 31 Aug 2023

AfricaLics 2023 Ph.D. Academy on Innovation and Competence Building Systems

AfricaLics is part of the worldwide research network, The Global Network for the Economics of Learning, Innovation, and Competence Building Systems (Globelics). The purpose of the 7th AfricaLics Ph.D. Academy is to support the training of African Doctoral students engaged in research in the academic

Published: 17 Mar 2023 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 31 Mar 2023

University of Pretoria 2023 Doctoral Scholarship for African Students

The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa, is calling for applications for the degree in Sexual & Reproductive Rights in Africa (SRRA) for the Class of 2023. This scholarship is aimed at strengthening the Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa&nb

Published: 21 Feb 2023 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 15 Mar 2023

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation 2023 German Research Chair “Mathematics and its Applications” at AIMS South Africa

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is announcing a research chair, under the programme financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) entitled “German Research Chairs”, at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Muizenberg, South Africa. The res

Published: 13 Jan 2023 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 15 May 2023

AHRI/UCL 2023 PhD Studentship Awards for African Students

The AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship award covers tuition fees and living costs for two candidates to undertake a PhD at UCL. The award is funded by UCL’s Division of Infection and Immunity and is open to applicants who permanently reside in South Africa. The proposed PhD research must be

Published: 09 Jan 2023 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa , United Kingdom Deadline: 02 Jun 2023

African Doctoral Academy Summer School 2023 Early Doctoral Programme (EDP) Scholarships for African Students at Stellenbosch University

The African Doctoral Academy (ADA) at Stellenbosch University is privileged to offer a limited number of candidates, at the start of their Doctoral careers, the opportunity to attend research, publishing, scientific communication and career-related training courses at the ADA Sum

Published: 16 Dec 2022 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 18 Dec 2022

The Graduate School of Economics and Management Sciences (GEM) of the Stellenbosch University has opened applications for 2023. 

Published: 11 Jul 2022 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 01 Aug 2022

NRF-MINDS 2023 Doctoral Scholarship for African Students

The DSI and NRF are pleased to announce a call for new applications for DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the academic year 2023. All continuing students who are eligible for a second or third year of funding must submit a Progress Report and not a new application. The

Published: 05 May 2022 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 08 Jul 2022

Centre for Human Rights 2021 Christof Heyns Human Rights Scholarship for PhD Students

The Scholarship is established to continue the legacy of Prof. Heyns in expanding human rights scholarships and giving opportunities to deserving but economically disadvantaged African students to undertake human rights related postgraduate studies in human rights at UP. The Scholarship is esta

Published: 20 Sep 2021 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 04 Oct 2021

TWAS-NRF 2021 Doctoral Fellowship Programme for Developing Countries (South Africa)

South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with TWAS is pleased to announce the TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowship to advance science in developing countries. TWAS-NRF Doctoral Fellowships are tenable at research institutio

Published: 23 Apr 2021 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 20 Aug 2021

HEARD 2021 PhD Scholarship for African Students

As part of HEARD’s commitment to investing in the development of African scholars, we are offering PhD Scholarships for 2021. The scholarship is aimed producing expertly qualified graduates to advise or to be part of influential policy-making or programme implementing entities in Africa, and t

Published: 22 Mar 2021 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 15 Apr 2021

Centre for Human Rights 2021-2022 Doctoral Scholarship in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa

The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, calls for applications for full-time doctoral scholarships in the field of sexual and/or reproductive rights in the African region.  The doctoral scholarship is aimed at strengthening the Sexual and Reproductive Rights

Published: 13 Oct 2020 Type: PhD Study in: South Africa Deadline: 15 Nov 2020

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Doctoral Scholarships

The NIHSS collaborates annually with the South African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA) to extend 150 scholarships per annum to full-time PhD students based at South African universities. The main objective of this programme is to promote scholarship and address inequities in the humanities and social sciences. To ensure that successful applicants are provided with structured intellectual and mentorship support, the NIHSS-SAHUDA cooperation has created an ambitious national doctoral programme for the humanities and social sciences. The NIHSS Strategic Plan for 2015 - 2020 sets a target of 900 South African students partaking in Doctoral Schools by 2020. The NIHSS Doctoral Programme thus serves to advance postgraduate scholarship through a variety of innovations, including:

• Providing scholarships for postgraduate students studying in the humanities and social sciences;
• Strengthening a student-centred culture in the higher education system and helping to create an environment where the critical, analytical and normative capacities of students are enhanced;
• Ensuring collaborative supervision of doctoral students by two or more universities, which could include South African universities collaborating with universities outside the borders of South Africa; and
• Addressing inequities with regard to the demographic composition of PhD holders.

• PhD Study in South Africa – A Guide for 2024

Written by Alice Clubbs Coldron

South Africa is hard to beat when it comes to year-round sunshine, excellent wine and exhilarating landscapes. What’s more, South African universities are growing in quality and many are now internationally recognised as world class research centres.

These low cost, but high quality research facilities and the wealth of things to do in a country that offers everything from lush winelands, forests and lagoons, to the ‘Big Five’ safari animals, mean it comes as no surprise that this country is a welcome choice to study abroad.

If you’re considering a PhD in South Africa, this page provides all the information you need to know about the PhD in general, and how applications, funding and visas work.

PhD opportunities in South Africa – what’s on offer for 2024?

South Africa is growing into the continent’s hub for PhDs, meaning that opportunities for students have never been better. The students in South Africa are spoilt by the diverse terrain, warm climate and magnificent wildlife. All of South Africa’s universities boast campuses in some of the most stunning locations on earth, with top class facilities to match.

South Africa certainly ticks a lot of boxes, and here are some more things to consider:

• The Rainbow Nation – Full of diverse cultures and boasts 9 official languages.
• Affordability – The cost of living in South Africa is low, which is good news for PhD students on a tight budget!
• Unique PhD opportunities – Study anything from African Climate and Development, Conservation and Conflict to Marine Research, with access to not one, not two, but three oceans!
• Home to the best universities in Africa – The University of Cape Town is ranked number one in Africa, with another seven universities rated in the top 10.
• No viva – Not keen on defending your thesis for hours upon hours? PhD in South Africa is not traditionally assessed via an oral exam (phew).

Coronavirus updates for international students at South African universities

For the latest information on the impact of coronavirus on studying a PhD in South Africa, please check with your university for updates.

PhD life in South Africa

Want to know more about life for international PhD students in South Africa? Our detailed guide covers everything from accommodation and living costs to culture and entertainment.

South African universities

There are 26 public universities in South Africa. These comprise of 12 traditional universities, eight ‘technikons’ offering technical and vocational courses, and six comprehensive universities, offering a combination of the above. These are all distributed within all nine provinces of South Africa, each of which has at least one university.

The main student hubs are the big cities such as Cape Town , Johannesburg and Durban , with the University of Cape Town being recognised as the highest rated institution in both South Africa and on the continent.

University Groups

South Africa’s government is actively developing university research facilities across the country in a bid to attract more PhD students. This will increase the quality of research output and academic professionals in the industry. Many of the universities in South Africa are associated with these institutions and ‘mission groups’ as they share similar aims and objectives.

These groups include the follwoing:

• The National Research Foundation (NRF) is aimed at establishing leading-edge research platforms across the country. NRF-rated researchers work across the country’s universities, enabling South Africa to benchmark the quality of its research against the best in the world.
• South Africa has 14 Centres of Excellence . These CoEs are dedicated to different research areas, and enable researchers to collaborate across institutions on long-term projects that are internationally competitive.
• The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) has been established to strengthen research and innovation capacity of public universities for producing high quality postgraduate students.

A doctorate from a university associated with any of these government initiatives is impressive. As a PhD student, you require a research facility with the necessary expertise in the specialism you want to study.

South African university cities

The University of Cape Town and the University of Witwatersrand are in the top 250 universities in the world. Whether it’s Biotechnology, African Development or Engineering, South Africa’s universities certainly have many specialist focus areas that attract PhD candidates to undertake their research there.

Carrying out a PhD in South Africa will most likely be a highly collaborative experience. You will go where your research takes you, and there are many exciting cities to explore whilst you are there. .

The following are the main university cities in South Africa:

• Johannesburg

PhD structure

PhDs in South Africa generally follow a similar pattern to European and American programmes, but with the added bonus of becoming a wine connoisseur. They focus on the candidate completing a supervised thesis that adds original research and knowledge to a field of study.

The PhD will consist mainly of pure research and you will spend most of your time working towards an independent doctoral thesis, which will most likely begin with a lot of reading and writing a literature review, summarising and evaluating existing research related to your topic. Some South African PhDs also require coursework to be completed in addition to the main thesis, but this is less common.

Depending on your project, you will accumulate data by analysing source materials, producing experimental results or collecting survey data as appropriate. Throughout this process, you will liaise with your supervisor. You will most likely have at least one other supervisor, and they will both be a big part of your PhD experience.

Programme length

South African PhDs generally take between two to three years to complete if you are in full-time study, with a minimum of 4 years if you are studying part-time . The course length does vary however, and this generally depends on time of registration and funding arrangements.

Assessment and examination

PhD opportunities in South Africa require you to submit a written thesis at the end of your PhD. This is normally between 80,000-100,000 words. It is normal in South Africa for PhD candidates to give a written notice to their faculty at least two or three months before submitting their thesis for examination. This generally includes giving the title and a short overview of the thesis.

Once this notice is given, three examiners (internal and external) are appointed to examine your thesis. These examiners, or at least one of them, are also experts in your field.

For a South African PhD, it is not common to have a viva . This is an additional, oral examination, done in the UK and Europe, where the PhD candidate ‘defends’ their thesis in response to the examiners asking questions.

This is not the case in South Africa, and instead a written report is submitted outlining the examiners conclusions (and any changes or corrections that need to be done) and your PhD result.

Fees and funding

International students studying in South Africa benefit from relatively cheap doctorate programmes compared to Europe and North America.

South African tuition fees vary widely between institutions and courses. International students are required to pay an international service fee of around of R4,200 (USD $270) and/ or a registration fee of about R6,970 (USD $440).

PhD programme fees can vary from depending on the type of PhD programme (thesis only or coursework and thesis), the university and the subject area. For example, at Wits University, PhD programmes in Engineering are on average R31,450 (USD $1,835) per year and PhD programmes in Sciences are on average R23,900 (USD $1,395). PhD fees at the University of Cape Town are generally the same for all subjects, averaging at around R23,370 (USD $1,360) per year.

International students are not eligible for support from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) – the South African student loan and bursary scheme. Bursaries and scholarships are available to international PhD students and are offered by universities and external organisations.

These include:

• Studentships and funded PhD places from the universities themselves. Some institutions also have specific funding opportunities for international students. These PhD places are competitive. You can check with universities or browse opportunities here on FindAPhD.
• Student loans from major banks to non-South Africans with valid study permits.
• Postgraduate scholarships from the National Research Foundation (NRF) to a limited number of international students.

Applying for a PhD in South Africa

The first step for your South African PhD application should be to contact a prospective supervisor (universities will not normally consider applications from international students who haven’t done this).

The person you choose should normally be the lead researcher for a project or research group you wish to join, or an academic with research interests related to the topic you would like to propose.

Once you’ve found a potential supervisor, you should contact them via email . Try to provide a clear and concise description of your project or interests – and make the relationship to their research obvious.

Once you have an expression of interest from a potential supervisor, you can begin your formal application to the university.

Admission requirements

To apply for a PhD in South Africa, you will require an existing Bachelors and usually a Masters degree in a related subject. In special circumstances, a candidate without a Masters may be accepted. There will usually be an application fee of around R300 ($17.50).

Individual universities will set their own requirements, but in general, you can expect to be asked for some or all of the following:

• CV and evidence of previous qualifications (some may even want to see a copy of your Masters dissertation
• Personal statement/motivation letter
• A research proposal (if you’re putting forward your own PhD topic)

Once your PhD application has been reviewed, the university may wish to interview you. This is a good sign, as your prospective supervisor thinks you have potential, and it’s also a great way to show yourself off!

Don’t worry though – they will not expect you to travel all the way to South Africa for just an interview. As an international student, this will most likely be done via a video-conferencing platform.

Application deadlines

Deadlines for PhD applications vary in South Africa. While some deadlines are in August or September, some universities have PhD programmes that are open to apply all year round. It is also important to take into account any deadlines that you may have if you are applying to funding.

You can check for specific dates with your chosen institute and if you are in touch with your prospective supervisor, you can always ask them.

Remember that, even if there isn't a deadline, your application will still take time. As a general rule, you should apply at least four months before you hope to start your PhD.

Student visas

South African study permits are issued for a programme of study at a specific institution. Once accepted by a South African university, international students are required to obtain a study visa .

Visa requirements

In order to qualify for a visa to study a PhD in South Africa you’ll normally need the following documents:

• Proof of financial means to cover envisaged living expenses for the duration of study
• An official letter from the university confirming enrolment
• A valid passport that expires no less than 30 days before the end of your course
• Proof of medical cover

You can check out South African Department of Home Affairs for more information on student visas.

Language requirements

South African PhDs are organised and delivered in English, so you will need to have sufficient language skills and be able to comprehend complex information and communicate ideas for your PhD.

For international students for whom English is a second language, an English language test must be taken. The most recognised English language tests will be accepted. The score you need will depend on the test you take and the minimum requirements set by your specific university.

Health insurance

The South African government states that in order to obtain a student visa, the student must have adequate medical cover with a registered South African medical scheme and provide evidence for this when applying for the visa. A letter confirming that this health insurance will be renewed every year during the duration of your stay is also required. You can see the list of registered medical aid schemes in South Africa to check if your medical cover is recognised by the South African Department of Home Affairs.

Work during your PhD

You can carry out paid work for up to 20 hours per week whilst researching for your PhD in South Africa. However, you should check that any work you undertake fits with the requirements of your PhD (and the expectations of your supervisor).

Fees and processing times

To apply for a student visa, you will need to complete the BI-1738 form , which costs around R1,800 (USD $120) to process. It normally takes six to eight weeks for applications to be processed and is valid for the duration of your course.

With internationally recognised universities and research capabilities, a South African PhD can translate into career opportunities all over the world.

Can I work in South Africa after my PhD?

International students who are awarded their PhD from a South African university can apply for a critical skills work visa (a five-year temporary residence visa) which includes a 12-month period to secure a job. After the end of the five years, they can apply for permanent residence.

Find a PhD in South Africa

Decided that South Africa is the right destination for your PhD? Why not get started browsing some South African PhDs ? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to PhD study abroad .

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

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What's it like to live in South Africa during a PhD? Our guide covers accommodation, student living costs, working and other key information.

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Closing date for applications for 2024 funding closes 31 October 2023

Introduction.

South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP) outlines the need for strategic approaches to drive the country towards a competitive knowledge society and develop the required human capacity in key areas. Central to a highly productive, globally connected economy are high-level skills and extensive participation in research scholarship. The Nelson Mandela University Vision 2030 Strategy highlights the institution's aspiration to invest in the attraction, development and retention of socially diverse, research active postgraduate students to promote talent continuity, research productivity and academic excellence. Nelson Mandela University will be implementing a new postgraduate funding policy in 2023 which seeks to advance social justice, equality and inclusion by providing postgraduate funding as a lever to address the challenges of inequity of access, success and throughput, in an ongoing effort to represent excellence. Citizenship, gender and disability are considered in the allocation of funding, with transformation of the postgraduate cohort as the core objective. Financial need is included as a criterion for determining the level of funding.

In order to develop a future cohort of researchers and scholars, it is vital that postgraduate students complete their studies without delay and that they continue through to completion of their doctoral studies. To advance these priorities, financially needy students, students living with a disability, and outstanding academic achievers who gain admission into postgraduate programmes will be funded without interruption from the honours to the doctoral degree level, subject to satisfactory performance at each consecutive postgraduate level. To attract and retain a diverse range of students, funding levels cover the full cost of study for students who meet the required criteria. This approach is aligned with the national postgraduate funding landscape and will enhance synergy between undergraduate and postgraduate funding. This framework document outlines the context and operational procedures for the Postgraduate Research Scholarships (PGRS) and should be read in conjunction with the policy on masters and doctoral degrees (IRC 403.01).

Eligibility Criteria

PGRS funding is open to South African citizens, permanent residents and international candidates who intend to undertake full-time honours, masters and doctoral studies at Nelson Mandela University in the 2023 academic year. Additional eligibility criteria applicable to first-time applicants for honours, masters and doctoral funding and extension support applicants for masters and doctoral studies are listed in section 3 of the attached Call framework document .

Application Process

Students must first identify the honours, masters or doctoral programme they want to be enrolled in for their postgraduate degree and apply for admission before applying for PGRS funding. Applications for funding in 2024 must be submitted on the PGRS Online Submission System by accessing the link https://apps.mandela.ac.za/pgrs . The closing date for 2023 scholarship applications is Tuesday, 31 October 2023 . The supporting documents to be attached to the application are listed in the attached Call framework document .

Funding Principles

This scholarship programme aims to attract, nurture and retain outstanding academic achievers in the system to pursue postgraduate studies up to the doctoral level. PGRS funding will be allocated in line with the following transformation targets:

• 90% South African citizens and permanent residents
• 10% students from SADC countries and beyond

The South African Citizens and permanent residents’ targets are further disaggregated in terms of race and disability as follows:

• 75% Black (African, Coloured, and Indian)
• 1% students living with a disability

Scholarship Values

The scholarship categories and values for Full Cost of Study (FCS) and Partial Cost of Study (PCS) are presented in the table below.

Maximum Funding Period

The maximum period of support for each postgraduate level of study is indicated in the table below.

Contact Details

For technical enquiries related to the PGRS Online Submission System, please contact the ICT Helpdesk (Mondays to Fridays from 08h00 to16h30) on: Tel: +27 (0) 41 504 3000 or E-mail: [email protected]

For any other programme related enquiries, refer to the relevant contact people below:

• Ms Tozama Mnonopi / Mr Jolindon Petersen

Masters and Extension Support

• Ms Tariro Phiri

Doctoral and Extension Support

• Mrs Delene Gerber

Closing Date for 2024 Funding : 31 October 2023  

The PGRS FAQs section covers topics including:

• documentation to be uploaded with the application
• value of the award
• expenses covered
• eligibility

Enquiries : Honours

• Ms T Mnonopi / Mr J Petersen
• Mrs D Gerber

Technical Enquiries

• [email protected]

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Africa Health Research Institute

• Adrie Steyn
• Alison Grant
• Collins Iwuji
• Frank Tanser
• Guy Harling
• Henrik Kløverpris
• Ingrid Bassett
• Janet Seeley
• Kobus Herbst
• Limakatso Lebina
• Mark Siedner
• Maryam Shahmanesh
• Moherndran Archary
• Mohlopheni Marakalala
• Natsayi Chimbindi
• Nceba Gqaleni
• Nigel Klein
• Nothando Ngwenya
• Nuala McGrath
• Philip Goulder
• Refiloe Masekela
• Thumbi Ndung’u
• Till Bärnighausen
• Xanthe Hunt
• Zaza Ndhlovu

Applications are open for the 2024-2025 AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship

This is an exciting opportunity for up to three potential candidates to register for PhD at UCL while undertaking their research project at Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI).

The award is funded by UCL’s   Division of Infection and Immunity   and is open to applicants who permanently reside in South Africa. The AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship award covers tuition fees and living costs for candidates to undertake a PhD at UCL.

The proposed PhD research must be in the field of  medical sciences  and/or  population health . This covers everything from single molecules through to cells and tissues, to whole organisms and animal and human populations for improved human health and wellbeing worldwide.

Students will be expected to spend most of their time in South Africa, conducting their research at AHRI. Students will also spend time at UCL and while there they will be expected to attend seminars, postgraduate club meetings, and other UCL doctoral student events.

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

• Be domiciled in South Africa at the time of application
• Have completed, or be about to complete, a Masters degree or equivalent
• Hold a letter of recommendation from a proposed supervisor at UCL*
• Be working with AHRI already or hold an approved letter of support to complete a PhD at AHRI*
• Be willing to stay in London for up to one year during their PhD studies. This time can be split into two periods of six months if required
• Must hold a valid passport at the time of application

Applications to the PhD studentship are competitive. The selection panel will look at academic achievements of the applicants, their research experience, the quality of the supervisory team and strengths of the proposed project.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a formal interview with the selection panel.

Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Conditions:

• If awarded, applicants must be able to take up the award immediately
• MPhil/PhD students registered at UCL cannot be registered to any other course, undergraduate or postgraduate
• Applicants are required to apply to both AHRI and UCL

The PhD studentships will fund:

• All fees for a three-year doctorate at UCL
• Two round-trip economy air fares to and from SA to UK (per award)
• Support for reasonable London living costs for up to one year
• UCL bench fees
• Support for Durban living costs for two years

How to apply:

1. Please complete the AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship Application form in detail and upload the following documents:

• Letter of recommendation from your proposed supervisor at AHRI
• Letter of recommendation from your proposed supervisor at UCL
• A copy of your academic CV
• Certified copies of your academic transcripts and original certificates

2. Please also complete the UCL application form and upload all relevant documents.

Closing date is 12 April 2024

*For further information or assistance with identifying an AHRI supervisor and letter of recommendation from UCL, please contact Kamini Gounder via [email protected] or Aruna Sevakram via [email protected] with ‘AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship’ in the subject header.

Call for Applications: CARTA PhD Fellowships 2025

The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) invites applications for its prestigious PhD Fellowships for the year 2025. CARTA is a collaborative initiative involving eight African universities, four African research institutes, and eight non-African partners. Our mission is to bolster the capacity of African institutions to conduct globally competitive research, with a particular focus on addressing health and development challenges in the region.

CARTA PhD Fellowship

As part of its innovations, CARTA offers a collaborative doctoral training program in public and population health. This program has been developed in response to the great challenges faced by Africa’s institutions of higher education in addressing the training and retention of the next generation of academics in the region. Specifically, CARTA seeks to fund candidates who will be future leaders in their institutions. That is, young, capable, and committed individuals who, in time, will ensure that their universities will be the institutions of choice for future generations of academics and university administrators wishing to make a positive impact on public and population health in Africa.

The multi-disciplinary CARTA PhD fellowship is open to staff members of participating institutions who are interested in conducting their PhD research on topics relevant to the broad fields of public and population health. We welcome applications from any discipline, such as public health, demography, anthropology, communication, and economics, among others, as long as the research question aims to contribute to public and population health issues in Africa. CARTA is committed to gender equity in access to the training programs and governance structure and implements a series of interventions to support the progress of women in academia (see CARTA’s gender position ). Women are therefore particularly encouraged to apply. 

Successful applicants will attend CARTA’s innovative series of Joint Advanced Seminars (JASES) for cohorts of doctoral students admitted and registered in the participating African universities. Both the development and delivery of these courses are jointly led by regional and international experts. The seminars include didactic sessions, discussions, demonstrations, and practice labs. These activities collectively serve to: 

• Expose students to key theories and concepts, seminal readings, and research methods of disciplines relevant to public and population health; 
• Train students in critical research skills; and 
• Build and maintain a network of researchers for scientific collaborations, professional support, and mutually beneficial exchange of scientific resources.

JASes are offered once annually for four years to each cohort and build skills and conceptual depth from year to year. Each JAS runs for 3 to 4 weeks. Specific topics covered in each JAS include the following: 

• JAS-1 (March 2025) builds critical thinking, technical skills, and other core research competencies, and introduces  students to the essential concepts and seminal articles of the disciplines brought together under CARTA 
• JAS-2   (November 2025)  focuses on data management and analysis. Fellows learn to use software packages for qualitative and quantitative data management and analyses. Practice sessions use real research data and current software packages for hands-on training 
• JAS-3   (August 2027)  focuses on data presentation, the doctoral dissertation, and scientific writing and communication skills to facilitate results dissemination and policy engagement 
• JAS-4   (March 2028)  addresses professional development including skills necessary to manage and teach large class sizes, raise and manage research funds, grant writing, and research management.

In 2025, the CARTA program plans to offer up to 15 PhD fellowships and two additional fellowships reserved for staff members of the Somali National University (SNU), Somalia, who will be mentored by one of the CARTA partners, Makerere University, Uganda. The fellowships, which are tenable at the CARTA African universities, include the following benefits:

• The cost of the fellow’s participation in the advanced seminars; 
• A modest monthly stipend; moderate support for research activities; 
• A laptop loaded with relevant software;
• Funds to attend one international conference; and 
• Support to participate in training programs of choice. 

Note : The CARTA fellowships run for a maximum of four years. Fellowships will only cover tuition fees, medical insurance, and travel support for fellows registered at a partner institution different from their own.

Respective African partner institutions need to commit to continue paying fellows’ salaries (or equivalent) as faculty members and to modify their workloads for the fellows, to enable them to fully participate in CARTA-organized activities pertaining to their PhD program and also to concentrate on their PhD studies. The partner institutions will also need to commit to waive the fellows’ fees if they are registered at the institution where they are employed. Fellows are encouraged to seek supplemental funding to cover additional costs of their doctoral program.

Eligible African Institutions

• Makerere University, Uganda
• Moi University, Kenya
• Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
• University of Ibadan, Nigeria
• Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi and Associates (through Kamuzu)
• University of Nairobi, Kenya
• University of Rwanda, Rwanda
• University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa (Wits can only nominate staff members who are citizens of an African LMIC outside of South Africa)
• Somali National University, Somalia (through collaboration with Makerere University)
• African Population and Health Research Center, Kenya
• Agincourt Health and Population Unit, South Africa
• Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania

Eligibility

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Prior admission into a PhD program is not required for application but awards are contingent on such admission being obtained at one of the participating African universities.
• Applicants for this program  must be full-time teaching or research staff at one of the participating African institutions  and should be committed to contributing towards building capacity at their institutions.
• Applicant’s PhD research proposal must be related to public and population health.
• Fellowships are only open to individuals who have not yet registered for a PhD or are in the very early stages (first year) of the PhD program and are yet to define their research proposal. Fellows seeking support to complete a PhD or secure an additional PhD are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must commit to participation in all four annual residential Joint Advanced Seminars (JASes), and to engage in inter-seminar activities designed to keep fellows actively engaged and in continual communication with peers and mentors.
• Male applicants must be under the age of 40 years and female applicants under the age 45 years.

Application Procedure

• Contact the CARTA focal person at your institution to discuss your interest and obtain application materials. Application forms may also be downloaded below .
• At this point, applicants are expected to submit their application forms and reference letters by April 15, 2024, to the Focal Persons at partner institutions WITH A COPY TO THE SECRETARIAT ( [email protected] ) . You can access the application here.  
• CARTA partner institutions will nominate candidates who will be invited for the full application process. The institutional selection will take place between April 15 and May 15, 2024 . Institutions must submit a completed University CARTA PhD Fellowships Applications Screening Form by May 15, 2024 .
• Only those who are nominated by their institutions will be invited to submit a full application between June 1 and July 15, 2024 . 

a. The full application includes:

• A full research proposal
• Letter of support from their institution committing to modify the workloads for the fellows, to enable them to fully participate in CARTA-organized activities pertaining to their PhD program and to waive the fellows’ fees if they are registered at the institution where they are employed. 
• Critical review of a scientific article
• Numeracy task 
• Critical thinking task 
• Understanding plagiarism course 
• Basic Health Research Ethics course 

b. Applications will be accepted ONLY through the official portal. Nominated candidates need to make sure to receive an official ID to log in and submit within the time stipulated by the system. No late or incomplete application will be considered under any circumstance.

5. Final fellowship decision, which is independent of the university nomination, will be communicated by the CARTA Secretariat by  November 1, 2024 .

Important Dates

• April 15, 2024: Deadline for submission of initial application materials
• June 1 – July 15, 2024: Full application submission period
• November 1, 2024: Announcement of final fellowship decisions
• March 1, 2025: Commencement of fellowship and in-person JAS1 (3 – 4 weeks)

For more information, contact us at [email protected]

• Our Funders
• Our Partners
• Board of Management
• Secretariat
• Fellows Publications
• Newsletters and Factsheets
• Publications about CARTA
• Reports about CARTA

P.O. Box 10787 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya [email protected] +254 (20) 400 1000, 266 2244, 266 2255

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Funding your studies

Before registering as a student, you need to determine whether or not you will have sufficient funds to finance your studies, and if not, from which alternative sources you will be able to receive funding. On the right you will find a downloadable list of postgraduate bursary opportunities.

Academic fees and living expenses are perceived as the two main costs in study. Securing sufficient funding may be difficult, but the various sources of funding may be considered:

What kind of financial support exists?

University funding, sport bursaries, national funding and research councils, corporate bursaries and donor funds.

• International funding

Postdoctoral funding

Employer funding.

• Study loans

The University has a number of bursaries and scholarships available for academically deserving students. We also administer funds from corporate donors and national funding schemes such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Briefly, University financial support in the form of scholarships and bursaries includes the following:

For full-time undergraduate studies:

The University offers three types of financial assistance for full-time students, namely:

• Bursaries administered by Nelson Mandela University using funds provided by donors and trustees.
• Bursaries and study loans administered by other organisations, to which applications must be directed.
• NSFAS loans and bursaries ( http://www.nsfas.org.za )

You qualify for a NSFAS loan if you are:

• A South African citizen;
• Registered at a South African university;
• An undergraduate, studying for a first higher educational qualification, or studying for a second higher education qualification, if this is necessary to practise in your chosen profession (e.g. LLB or HDE);
• Able to demonstrate potential for academic success;In need of financial assistance.

NSFAS Bursaries for Disabled Students

• Applicants need to be a South African citizen;
• Be studying towards a first higher education qualification, or towards a second qualification that is also required for entering a chosen profession.
• Applicants need to be regarded financially needy and unable to obtain a loan from a commercial bank.

A comprehensive overview of all funding available can be obtained from the  Financial Aid Office.

You can also view what is available in terms of  postgraduate bursary/scholarship opportunities from The Office of Research Development. 

For honours and BTech studies:

Honours students are the largest group of postgraduate students and form an important source from which master’s students are drawn. Therefore the University makes adequate funding available to sustain a viable pool of honours students.

• In order to qualify, an applicant must have obtained at least 55% in the major subject which a student wishes to pursue at postgraduate level.
• The bursary is only available to citizens of South Africa and SADAC countries.
• The bursary is available for a maximum of one year.
• Closing date for applying is 30 October each year.
• Please consult the Financial Aid Office for more detailed information on the criteria.
• In order to qualify, an applicant must have obtained an aggregate of at least 65% for the final year undergraduate subject(s) they are pursuing for honours or final year BTech study.
• Only South African citizens may apply.

Fields of study supported:

• Social and Human Sciences
• Natural and Applied Sciences
• Engineering and Technology (SET)

Please consult the NRF for more detailed information at:

https://www.nrf.ac.za/contact-nrf

• In order to qualify, an applicant must have obtained an aggregate of at least 60% for the final year undergraduate subject(s) they are pursuing for honours or final year BTech study.
• Actuarial Sciences
• Agricultural Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Financial Management
• Information Systems
• Mathematical Sciences
• Transportation Studies.
• Biochemistry
• Engineering (all fields)
• Information Communication Technology
• Pharmaceutics
• In order to qualify, an applicant must have obtained an aggregate of at least 65% in the main subject to be taken at full-time honours level.
• The scholarship is awarded for one year of full-time study for the completion of a one-year honours or BTech degree in the study areas designated by the Department of Labour as scarce skills.
• The scholarship holder may not hold full-time salaried employment during the tenure of the scholarship.

For master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral studies

A host of financial support opportunities are managed by our The Office of Research Development (RD ). These bursaries/scholarships have different sources of funding and therefore different selection criteria. Visit their website for an overview of all possibilities at www.mandela.ac.za/rd .

University administered bursaries and scholarships ►

The application forms for the following bursaries/scholarships are obtainable from the RD when calls are made for application:

• Nelson Mandela University Postgraduate Research Scholarship
• Nelson Mandela University Financially Needy Bursary
• National Research Foundation (NRF) Scholarship and Bursaries
• SA Medical Research Council (MRC) Scholarship
• Public Servants Association of SA (Stiglingh Memorial Bursary)
• Goldstein Bursary (Benjamin, Sophia Margaretha and Henriette Constance)
• HB Webb Gift
• Joshua Fullard Research Scholarship
• Sport Science Scholarship
• Winifred Wilson Bursary Fund
• Ernst and Ethel Eriksen Trust
• Postgraduate Research Scholarship All full-time and part-time students registered for full and partial research master’s or doctoral study at the University will be eligible to apply for these scholarships, including foreign students.

Students’ research should preferable fall within the focus areas of Nelson Mandela University. Academic merit will be a criterion. Scholarships must initially be applied for, and are not granted automatically. The Postgraduate Research Scholarships are intended to cover the study fees, books and living costs of students.

• Financially Needy Bursary This bursary is available to masters and doctoral students who qualify on merit for the Postgraduate Research Scholarship, but are financially disadvantaged.
• Free-standing scholarships and fellowships which will be awarded directly to students undertaking full-time study and part-time study in the case of disabled students, on a competitive basis. Students must apply for these awards themselves, and remain responsible for the submission of all required documentation.
• Please consult The Office of   Research Development for more information.
• Grant-holder linked assistantships and bursaries which will be granted to researchers within their NRF support packages and may be awarded to students selected by NRF grant-holders linked to their research plans. Applications must be submitted by the researcher as part of their research grant application in the respective NRF Focus Area programmes or The Office of Research Development programmes.
• Please consult your academic supervisor for more information.
• Information can also be obtained directly from the NRF website: http://www.nrf.ac.za .
• SA Medical Research Council (MRC) Scholarship The MRC offers master's, doctoral and post-doctoral scholarships for research undertaken within the research focus areas of population health, disease and disease mechanisms, health systems, settings and policy. Application forms are available from RD or directly from their website at: http://www.nrc.ac.za/researchdevelopment/opportunity
• Public Servants Association (PSA) of SA (Stiglingh Memorial Bursary) Bursary for undergraduate and postgraduate, full-time or part-time studies in the fields of science and medicine. Only available for public servants and members of the PSA and their children.
• Goldstein Bursary (Benjamin, Sophia Margaretha and Henriette Constance) Bursary for university-type of study from second year onwards.
• HB Webb Gift A merit bursary for study in any field. Awarded on academic merit (an average of 75% or higher is required).
• Joshua Fullard Research Scholarship A scholarship for full-time master’s studies. Awarded on academic merit to a student in the Faculty of Health Sciences (an average of 70% for honours is required).
• Bursary for research master’s studies in Sport Science (specifically related to the development of soccer).
• Winifred Wilson Bursary Fund Funding available for postgraduate studies in English language and literature.
• Ernst and Ethel Eriksen Trust Funding available for master’s and doctoral studies in any discipline.

The Madibaz Sport annually allocates a number of monetary sport bursaries to deserving students and school leavers in an effort to improve the standard of sport at the institution and to ensure that young Eastern Cape sport stars continue their academic and sporting careers in the province.

Application can be made by completing the downloadable sport bursary application form available on the Sport Bureau website at www.mandela.ac.za/sport . Forward it to the Director: Sport at the address indicated on the form before 30 September each year.

Successful candidates will be informed as soon as possible, by no later than 31 December each year.

South African has various statuary science councils through which the government commissions research for social, scientific and technological development. Most of these statuary bodies do not only provide opportunity for research development, but also provides funding for studies.

• National Research Foundation (NRF) www.nrf.ac.za .

As the government's national agency responsible for promoting and supporting basic and applied research as well as innovation, the NRF provides services and grants to support research and postgraduate research training, vital to the development of South Africa.

NRF provides postgraduate study bursaries for honours, final year BTech studies, masters’ and doctoral studies.

NRF is also linked up with various national research facilities and councils, research and technology development programmes, as well as international bodies that facilitate South African participation in relevant international research activities. These research bodies can be reached via the NRF website at www.nrf.ac.za .

Funding opportunities granted by the following councils and institutes can be viewed on their websites:

• Agricultural Research Council
• Council for Geoscience ► www.geoscience.org.za
• The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) ► www.csir.co.za
• Human Science Research Council ► www.hsrc.ac.za/
• Medical Research Council ► www.mrc.ac.za/
• Mintek ► www.mintek.co.za/
• South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.saiab.ru.ac.za
• Marine and Coastal Management Research ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.environment.gov.za
• National Institute of Virology (NIV) ► www.dst.gov.za
• National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) ► www.dst.gov.za
• South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) ► www.dst.gov.za
• Meraka Institute - African Advanced Institute for Information and Communication Technology ► http://www.meraka.org.za/events.htm
• South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) ► www.nrf.ac.za / http://www.saeon.ac.za
• South African Biodiversity Information Facility (SABIF) ► http://www.sabif.ac.za
• South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) ► www.saiee.org.sa/
• Institution of Certified Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, South Africa ► www.icmeesa.com/
• The National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheP) ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.nithep.co.za
• South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI) ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.sanbi.ac.za
• South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI) ► www.nrf.ac.za
• iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS) ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.tlabs.ac.za/
• South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.sanap.org.za
• The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) ► www.nrf.ac.za
• The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) – Funding for studies in astronomy, astrophysics, space science, and electronic engineering ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.ska.ac.za
• Travelling Institute for Music Research in South Africa (TIMR) ► http://www.nrf.ac.za/timr/default.htm
• Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.pansalb.org.za
• South African Space Portal (SPACE) ► www.nrf.ac.za / http://www.space.gov.za/index.php
• Science and Technology Agreements Fund (STAF) ► http://www.nrf.ac.za/staf/
• National Treasury Bursary Scheme ► www.treasury.gov.za
• Innovation Fund ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.innovationfund.ac.za/
• Phulisa Project ► RD
• Thuthuka Programme ► RD
• The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) ► www.nrf.ac.za
• South Africa-Netherlands Research Progamme on Alternatives in Development ► www.nrf.ac.za / www.sanpad.org.za
• Africa Institute of South Africa ► www.ai.org.za
• Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport bursaries ► www.info.gov.za
• Department of Health, Eastern Cape, bursaries ► www.ecdoh.gov.za/career_opportunities/bursaries

Also visit the SAinfo webpages on education matters for more information on and links to various research councils. ( http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/education/research.htm )

Various companies and donors worldwide make contributions to education as part of their corporate social investment. Apart from a range of such bursaries and funds administered by the University, applicants can directly approach companies, trusts and foundations for possible funding opportunities. Applications should be sent directly to such funders.

Students can obtain bursary booklets listing such independent funding opportunities from both the offices of Financial Aid and Research Development.

International funding and collaboration

Universities and research foundations and councils all strive to establish international opportunities for collaborative study and research for South African students, researchers and scientists.

• NRF International Research Grants (IRG) section

Science crosses international boundaries to provide strong, positive connections between individual scientists, institutions and nations. NRF facilitates such international linkages to strengthen the research base in South African.

Apart from their contact with the International Council for Science (ICSU) and other similar bodies, they expand through the African Interaction Programme in particular scientific cooperation between scientists in South Africa and their counterparts in the rest of Africa.

• International funding and collaboration opportunities

The University provides the following linkages:

• Canon Collins Trust ( www.canoncollins.org.uk/scholarships )
• Commonwealth (contact RD for information);
• DAAD (Deutscher Akademisher Austrausch Dienst) (enquiries should be directed to Mrs Helga Islam - [email protected] );
• First Rand Educational Trust (contact RD for information) Union Society at Newcastle University ( http://www.daad.de/deutschland/index.en.html )

Applicants can obtain a complete guide on the fees structure or download it from www.mandela.ac.za

Canon Collins Trust

The Canon Collins Trust provides scholarships to students from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Angola and Mozambique who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree (mainly Master's degrees of one or two years) in either the United Kingdom or South Africa.

Enquires should be directed to the Regional Director at [email protected] or visit the Canon Collins Trust website for more details.

Commonwealth scholarships

South Africa is a member of the Commonwealth community. Scholarship opportunities are made available to South African universities from time to time for studies locally or abroad. Contact details will be made available when scholarships become available.

DAAD Scholarships

The Deutcher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) or German Academic Exchange Service is a private, publicly funded, self governing organisation of the institutions of higher education in Germany. It has the function of promoting international academic relations especially through the exchange of students and staff. In-country and in-region scholarships are provided at African universities in the form of master’s and PhD grants. Eligibility South African citizen (in exceptional cases permanent residents); Age limit of 36 at the date of application; Recommended by the Head of Department; Pursuing master’s or doctoral studies; Applicants may come from those fields of study that have a strong relevance to national development. Enquiries should be directed to Mrs Helga Islam: [email protected]

FirstRand Educational Trust: Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship for International Postgraduate study

This scholarship provides for postgraduate study, in any field, at a recognised international university. While there is no age limit, preference will be given to candidates under the age of 35. Note that applicants will be expected to have already gained entrance to a recognised international university before submitting information to FirstRand. The successful applicant will be expected to, on completion of their studies, return to work in South Africa for a period of at least five years. Contact details will be made available when scholarships become available.

The Union Society at Newcastle University

One scholarship for a student from South Africa to study for a year-long, full-time postgraduate taught degree programme at Newcastle University. Further information about the university is available at:

http://www.daad.de

The Office of Research Development (RD) administers postdoctoral scholarships, dealing with both South African and international postdoctoral scholars with expertise in a wide range of academic fields. The following opportunities for postdoctoral scholarships exists:

• University funded scholarships (contact RD)
• Departmentally-funded scholarships (contact the relevant academic department)
• External funded scholarships (e.g. NRF and Claude Leon Foundation) – contact RD.

In the competitive world of work it is imperative to develop a professional skills and knowledge base to set yourself apart from the rest.

Most employers perceive the professional development of their employees important and have established various ways to improve their pool of skills – be it by in-house training or funding of formal studies. Consult your company’s Human Resources Department or Training Centre for support.

Study Loans

Not all of us are fortunate enough to qualify for bursaries and scholarships. Organisations and companies, including corporate banks, may offer competitive student loans to enable you to realise your study career at a reasonable pay-back agreement. Contact your local bank branch or employer for more information.

Financial Aid Concessions

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Bursaries & Scholarships

General application guide, multiple grant eligibility criteria, postgraduate grants documents, open calls for proposals .

Announcement of Call: NRF Postgraduate Scholarships – SARAO Honours

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52+ PhD Scholarships, Fellowships and grants for international students in South Africa

Full list of PhD Scholarships, Fellowships and grants for International students in South Africa- eligibility criteria, deadlines, application form, selection process & more!

[Updated 3 days ago] PhD Scholarships for International students in South Africa are below:

• Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships, 2024 |
• Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024 |
• Crivelli Europe Scholarships by UniCredit Foundation 2024 |
• Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) PhD Fellowships 2024 |
• John Monash Scholarships 2024 |
• Dissertation Fieldwork Grants 2024 |
• SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025 |
• Sanders Prize in the History of Early Modern Philosophy 2024 |
• Horowitz Foundation Grants 2024 |
• CSIRO Alumni Scholarship In Physics 2025 |
• more scholarships below
• Date posted

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John Monash Scholarships 2024

Sanders Prize in the History of Early Modern Philosophy 2024

Horowitz Foundation Grants 2024

Carlsberg Foundation Internationalisation Fellowships 2024

SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025

Dissertation Fieldwork Grants 2024

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) PhD Fellowships 2024

Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships, 2024

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024

SAMRC Scholarship Programme 2024

The bongani mayosi national health scholars programme 2024.

Women in Finance Scholarship by Numerix 2024

Roberto Rocca Fellowships 2024

Center for Cyber Safety and Education Certification Scholarship 2024

Croucher Scholarships for Doctoral Study 2024

Facebook Emerging Scholar Program 2023

Dr. Eduard Gubelin Research Scholarship 2024

Wadsworth african fellowships 2023, our scholarship team will help you with any questions.

Kindly login to comment and ask your questions about PhD Scholarships for International students in South Africa

Khayelihle Sibanda

Hi Khayelihle Sibanda, 

Here is a full list of PhD Scholarships in Business, Management, Economics & Accounting for International students ,  you can apply additional filters to suit the scholarship list exactly to your requirements. Check the eligibility criteria and deadlines before applying for scholarships. Good luck! with your application process. 

AMISO SAHILU

Harish Dammannagari

Hello Amiso Sahilu,

Introducing the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) Leadership Development Scholarship Program. This prestigious opportunity can be the ideal fit for your interests and objectives. Investigate this scholarship option in depth and make sure you meet all the conditions. Once you are certain that you fit the requirements, submit your application. I wish you well as you pursue the MINDS Scholarship Program's leadership development prospects!

BEREKET BUTARE FITAMO

Hey Bereket Butare Fitamo,

I recommend reviewing the requirements for eligibility before moving forward with the application procedure.

cecilia nyiva

Hello Cecilia Nyiva,

To enhance your chances of finding opportunities that align with your profile, it's advisable to add more preferences and filter out the better options. Here is a diverse array of Biotechnology, Biomedical, and other related scholarships for international students . Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria before proceeding with the application process.

Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships, 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Momeni Foundation for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to applicants of Iranian descent

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All subjects offered by the university . 30 Jun is the deadline to send applications for Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships, 2024. Any institution across the world. You may apply on Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships, 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Momeni Foundation

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to Germany nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Biomedicine. Deadline varies is the deadline to send applications for Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024. Renowned research laboratories all over the World except their home institution and city.. You may apply on Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF)

Crivelli Europe Scholarships by UniCredit Foundation 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the UniCredit Foundation for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to nationals of all countries where UniCredit is present

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Economics, Banking or Finance. 15 Nov is the deadline to send applications for Crivelli Europe Scholarships by UniCredit Foundation 2024. Anywhere across the globe . You may apply on Crivelli Europe Scholarships by UniCredit Foundation 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by UniCredit Foundation

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) PhD Fellowships 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Biomedical research. 01 Oct is the deadline to send applications for Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) PhD Fellowships 2024. Any Internationally leading laboratory. You may apply on Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) PhD Fellowships 2024 application form .

John Monash Scholarships 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the John Monash foundation for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to Australian nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in All subjects offered by the universities. 01 Jul is the deadline to send applications for John Monash Scholarships 2024. Universities around the world. You may apply on John Monash Scholarships 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by John Monash foundation

Dissertation Fieldwork Grants 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Anthropology. 01 Nov is the deadline to send applications for Dissertation Fieldwork Grants 2024. Any research institution around the World. You may apply on Dissertation Fieldwork Grants 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Wenner-Gren Foundation

SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to South African nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Earth Observation, Space Science, Engineering, Computer Science. 30 Sep is the deadline to send applications for SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025. Universities in South Africa. You may apply on SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

Sanders Prize in the History of Early Modern Philosophy 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Marc Sanders Foundation for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationalities

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in History of Early Modern Philosophy. 01 Oct is the deadline to send applications for Sanders Prize in the History of Early Modern Philosophy 2024. Any institutions across the world. You may apply on Sanders Prize in the History of Early Modern Philosophy 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Marc Sanders Foundation

Horowitz Foundation Grants 2024 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationals

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Social Policy. 01 Dec is the deadline to send applications for Horowitz Foundation Grants 2024. Institutions/Universities across the World. You may apply on Horowitz Foundation Grants 2024 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy

CSIRO Alumni Scholarship In Physics 2025 is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for international students. Students eligible for this scholarship are: Open to all nationalities

This scholarship can be taken for pursuing in Physics and Mathematics. Deadline varies is the deadline to send applications for CSIRO Alumni Scholarship In Physics 2025. Any overseas or interstate institution, such as a university or research establishment of international standing... You may apply on CSIRO Alumni Scholarship In Physics 2025 application form .

Check out other international Fellowships and Grants and Scholarships offered by The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

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• Archie Mafeje PhD Scholarship

The Archibald Mafeje PhD Scholarship was born out of the need to promote doctoral studies in the country. Due to low participation rates, coupled with poor completion rates at Masters and Doctoral levels, and insufficient funding of post-doctoral studies the Foundation established the Archibald Mafeje PhD Scholarship in 2014. The Scholarship was established in honour of the late Professor Mafeje who was an influential academic, who was denied access to various Professorships under the apartheid regime. This PhD Scholarship aims to honour his academic legacy as well as his ideals of democracy.

This programme aims to facilitate the growth of strong academic minds and increase the number and quality of black doctoral graduates, through the awarding of two doctoral scholarships, in South Africa annually.

Qualifying criteria

• Students must be South African citizens
• You must be from the previously disadvantaged groups as outlined by the South African government (Black, Coloured or Indian)
• Be in possession of a Master’s degree
• Be registered for a PhD in a recognised and accredited South African university
• Willing to pursue the qualification full time over a 3 year period. Part-time studies will not be considered
• Have a supervisor allocated.

Call for 2023 bursary applicatons will be announced as soon as they open.

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Postgraduate Scholarship Opportunities

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The Faculty's new Postgraduate Scholarship in Marine & Environmental Law will be open for applications in October-November 2024 for the 2025 academic year (LLM, LLM Professional or MPhil), so keep an eye on this page for specific dates and deadlines

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The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung-iNtaka Scholarship in Postgraduate Law & Technology 

The application opportunity for this scholarship opportunity for 2025 will be announced in October 2024.

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General Law Faculty Postgraduate Scholarships - SECOND Call for Applications for 2024

The second call for 2024 Postgraduate Scholarships applications is now open. To apply, please complete the the online form HERE.

The funding criteria are listed below for each scholarship opportunity, but please also check the Law Faculty Handbook. 

Please note: Applications for the specialist Postgraduate Scholarships in Marine & Environmental Law and in Law & Technology are separate processes and those calls will be announced in due course for 2025. 

All enquiries must be sent to Lwandile Nontsele at [email protected] . The CLOSING DATE is 9 AUGUST 2024.

Please Note:

• Closing dates for applications for 2024 Second Call: 9 August 2024.
• Upload all your supporting documents as a single, combined PDF.
• No late applications will be considered.
• Incomplete application will not be processed (complete the entire form and attach all necessary documents as requested).
• It is the applicant's responsibility to include a list of referees.

Scholarships background

The Faculty of Law, through its own fundraising efforts and donor support and legacies, has a number of scholarships in support of postgraduate study every year. Some scholarships are awarded on application, while others are awarded based purely on merit at the discretion of the Law Faculty Postgraduate Scholarships Committee. Full information is available in the Faculty Handbook  or you can contact the Law Faculty Office .

Please note:   The UCT Postgraduate Funding Office has a handbook on general funding opportunities for postgraduates . 

Scholarships for postgraduate study awarded on application

Only candidates registered within the minimum time for completion of their degree are eligible for the award of any of these scholarships, bursaries or grants.

Excellence in Law Postgraduate Scholarships

The Faculty of Law has raised donor funding to be able to offer scholarships to previously disadvantaged South African postgraduate candidates. Several Excellence in Law scholarships are available annually, at LLM, MPhil and PhD level. These are awarded based primarily on academic merit, although financial need may also be a consideration.

• Closing date: 9 August 2024
• Value: R60 000 pa for LLM or MPhil candidates and R90 000 pa for PhD candidates
• Tenure: One year for LLM or MPhil by coursework and research candidates. Two years for Master's by research only candidates, subject to satisfactory progress in the first year of registration. Three years for PhD candidates, subject to satisfactory progress in the first and second year of registration.

Law Faculty Master's and Doctoral Scholarships

To encourage postgraduate research, the Law Faculty makes awards to suitable candidates for master's degrees by research only or doctoral degrees in the Faculty of Law at UCT. This funding is in addition to other scholarship opportunities and is intended as a form of bridging finance to give candidates contemplating higher degrees the security of knowing that their financial needs will be at least partially met for the first year of their studies, which is a critical period in their progress. Successful candidates must also make application to the UCT Postgraduate Funding Office and other appropriate sources for scholarship funding. Any award from external sources that takes financial support beyond the level of R230 000 per annum for a master's candidate or R283 000 per annum for a doctoral candidate will then be deducted from the scholarship granted by the Faculty.

• Closing date: 9 August 2024
• Value: R84 000
• Tenure: One year (The scholarship may be re-awarded on application once only.)

Basil and Con Corder Scholarship

In 1997, a scholarship was established in terms of the wishes of the late Basil Corder. The scholarship is awarded to a University of Cape Town graduate in law who is registered at the University of Cape Town for the LLM degree by coursework and minor dissertation, on the basis of financial need, proven academic merit and having displayed a concern for the wider community through service individually or in voluntary organisations. Preference will be given to an applicant who will be completing part of the degree at a university outside South Africa. In the event that there are no suitable candidates for the award at the level of LLM studies, the scholarship may be awarded to an applicant registered for the Intermediate or Final Level LLB, on the basis of financial need, proven academic merit and indication of concern for the wider community, as set out above.

• Value: Variable (approximately R10 000)
• Tenure: One year

Ethel Walt Human Rights Scholarship

Ethel Walt was a human rights activist who directed her passion for social justice through her work in the Black Sash. This scholarship is awarded towards tuition for the LLM or MPhil programme in Social Justice or Human Rights Law by coursework and minor dissertation. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate proven community involvement of some kind, and a commitment to engaging in community issues after graduation.

• Closing date: NOT OPEN
• Value: R10 000

The Alexander Burman Memorial Grant

One grant is awarded each year to a woman who is either a South African citizen or permanent resident, and is in their first year of a PhD in the field of socio-legal studies. The award is based primarily on academic merit although financial need may also be considered, and preference will be given to candidates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Value: R100 000
• Tenure: One year, non-renewable

Sir William Solomon Memorial Scholarship

In 1939 Miss Emile Jane Solomon bequeathed R10 000 to the University to found a scholarship in memory of her brother, the late Sir William Solomon MA KCSI KCMG, formerly Chief Justice of the Union of South Africa.

The scholarship is available for candidates taking research degrees in law by thesis only.

• Value: R20 000 for LLM or MPhil and R30 000 for PhD
• Tenure: One year (The scholarship may be re-awarded on application once only)

Wilfred Kramer Law Grants 

Wilfred Kramer Law Grants are available for those who enroll for approved higher postgraduate study in the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town. In addition, limited funds are available for candidates who wish to participate in an approved exchange programme at an overseas university; the candidates do part of the LLM coursework at an approved overseas university and the balance of coursework as well as the minor dissertation at UCT Law Faculty. Further information is available from the Law Faculty Office.

• Value: Variable
• Tenure: One year (a grant may be re-awarded on application once only)

Beric Croome Postgraduate Tax Law Scholarship

This scholarship has been established in recognition of the contribution made by Dr Beric Croome to the practice of tax law. Generous financial support from Dr Croome, an Advocate of the High Court and qualified CA who completed a PhD in Tax Law at UCT Law in 2008, as well as from friends and associates, has enabled the establishment of a fund from which an annual scholarship of R10 000 will be awarded to a candidate undertaking postgraduate tax law studies and who has an undergraduate record that reflects effort and perseverance, has financial need and who provides some evidence of having overcome disadvantage.

• Value: R10 000

The Dikgang Moseneke Postgraduate Fellowship

These fellowships have been established by the UCT Faculty of Law, in recognition of the contribution that Justice Dikgang Moseneke has made to the field of law in South Africa. Generously supported by Justice Moseneke, as well as friends and associates, these fellowships are intended to promote and encourage academic research into areas of legal theory and practice, and their impact on social justice, democracy, constitutionalism, public accountability, development, and social change. The fellowships are awarded to suitable candidates registered for postgraduate studies at master’s and doctoral level, a major component of which would be a thesis within the broad area of law, justice and society. Only one PhD and one LLM fellowship is awarded each year.

• Value: R140 000 pa for PhD; R90 000 pa for Masters
• Tenure: One year for a candidate registered for an LLM by coursework and research degree. Two years for a candidate registered for an LLM by research only degree, subject to satisfactory progress being shown in the first year of registration. Three years for a candidate registered for a PhD degree, subject to satisfactory progress being shown in the first and second years of registration.

Faculty International Student Bursaries

The Faculty awards bursaries for Postgraduate Diploma and coursework and research Master’s candidates which will reduce the International Term Fee. These are awarded based on academic merit, financial need and Faculty requirements. Further details may be found in section 5.7 of the Student Fees book.

• Closing dates: NOT OPEN

For other funding and grants see Book 14 in the series of handbooks, available from the Postgraduate Funding Office .

Scholarships awarded without application

Ilse Lowissohn Grants

In 1984 a sum of R10 000 was bequeathed to the University by the late Miss Ilse Lowissohn for the purpose of providing a grant to assist a graduate of the Faculty of Law to undertake courses of postgraduate study in legal history or comparative law at an overseas university. Candidates are selected annually by the WP Schreiner Professor of Law from graduates of the faculty who have shown interest in the historical and comparative dimensions of Roman-Dutch law. Recipients must be registered or intend to register for an approved course of postgraduate study at an overseas university and use the grant to further their knowledge of Roman Law or one of the modern civil law jurisdictions.

Ina Ackermann Scholarship

A scholarship in memory of the late Ina Ackermann was established in the Faculty of Law from contributions donated to the Ina Ackermann Memorial Fund by family, friends and colleagues. The scholarship is awarded annually in recognition of the importance which Ms Ackermann attached to the role of women in the practising legal profession and is awarded to a woman graduate of the Faculty of Law at UCT who proceeds to the full-time first semester programme offered by the School for Legal Practice. Factors considered when making the award would include academic achievement, financial need and potential for success in the practising legal profession.

• Tenure: Six months

UCT Postgraduate Funding 

Master’s And Doctoral Degrees - Application For UCT Financial Support For South African And Permanent Resident Students (Via Postgraduate Funding Form 10a)  - for more information call 021 650 2141/1917 or email  [email protected]

Students who intend registering toward a Master’s or Doctoral qualification at UCT may be eligible to apply for financial support. Such support, depending on eligibility and selection criteria, includes either financial need and/or merit bursaries.

In line with the UCT transformation agenda, in allocating funding for these awards, priority will be given to funding Black South African and permanent resident applicants who qualify for financial need. In the current context “Black” includes African, Coloured and Indian students. “Financial need” refers to students who qualify via the National Means Test for either Financial Aid (where gross annual family income <R350 000) or GAP tuition bursaries (where annual gross family income is between R350 000 and R600 000).

Students applying for either financial need and/or merit awards may do so via the Postgraduate funding form 10A.

It is critical for prospective students to also source other awards for which they may be eligible, such as from the National Research Foundation (NRF), the department/Research group where the student will be registered, as well as through other external sources such as private/external donors. For details of all awards administered via the Postgraduate Funding Office, see  http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/fees-funding/postgraduate-degree-funding/noticeboard/ .

General Eligibility

• Applicants must be South African or permanent residents.
• Applicants must apply for a full-time Master's or Doctoral program in the relevant department/faculty

(i.e.  Only applicants who have applied for an academic place via the UCT’s Admissions Office will be considered for funding).

• All Master's and Doctoral applicants who apply for financial need or merit awards are required to have applied for an NRF bursary, if they are eligible for NRF funding.
• Priority will be given to students who have a minimum grade point average (GPA) score of 60% for their Honours degree.
• Students will not be eligible for funding support if they are employed in excess of 20 hours per week during the year of study. (Note – if you are to hold NRF funding concurrently with UCT funding, the NRF requirement is for not more than 12 hours of work per week during the year of study).

Conditions of Financial need or Merit award

• Eligible applicants are funded for two years for the Master’s degree (first and second year only) or three years for the Doctoral degree (first, second and third year only), and must be full-time students.
• Professional or full coursework Master’s degrees, including MBA’s and MMED’s, are ineligible for funding.

Financial need eligibility criteria

• Information provided on form 10A will be used to determine an applicant’s financial need (the “assessed need”) by applying the National Means Test (NMT) used by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the criteria used by UCT to determine eligibility.
• financial aid eligible, where gross annual family income is between <R350 000, or;
• eligible for GAP tuition bursary where family income is between R350 000 and R600 000, or;
• not eligible for needs-based financial support, but may be considered for a merit bursary.

Value of Financial need awards

• The value of the financial need bursary will be calculated on “assessed need” for the full cost of attendance (FCOA) in 2020 and will take into consideration other scholarships awarded to students.
• Depending on budget availability, students who are eligible for financial aid may be funded for their FCOA or “assessed need”, which is the approved cost of study (including tuition, and applicable accommodation and food allowances.
• Students who do not meet the UCT financial aid need based criteria but meet the criteria for a GAP tuition bursary according to family income, will be eligible for a percentage of their approved course tuition fees.

Value of Merit awards

• Merit awards normally cover your tuition fees in part only. Merit awards are approximately R30,000 per annum.

Application instructions

• Applicants are required to download and complete the form 10A from:  http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/fees-funding/postgraduate-degree-funding/bursaries-scholarships/merit-need-awards   
• Applicants who apply for financial need must complete the application checklist and provide all supporting documentation for assessment.
• Students who have previously been supported by NSFAS/UCT as undergraduates or full Financial Aid at Honours, still need to complete form 10A to apply for funding for their Master’s or Doctoral degree.
• Original copies of applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted to the UCT Postgraduate Centre & Funding Office.

2. International/ Refugee Scholarships for Postgraduate Full-Time Students (FORM 10C) -  Closing date: 31 July preceding the year of study. Intended for full-time Honours, Masters and Doctoral International students and Refugees. For enquiries  please email:  [email protected]  or telephone 021 650 1917/ 2141/ 3629

International and refugee scholarships 

A limited number of scholarships are available annually to international and refugee students for postgraduate study in any discipline at UCT. As there is only one call for applications each year, it is important that the application procedure is strictly followed. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and preference is given to senior candidates.

All UCT international and refugee students' scholarships are supplementary as a contribution towards Cost of Attendance. Students who apply must have the means to fund their studies.

Values: Honours – R25 000 Master’s – R30 000 Doctoral – R35 000

The scholarships are renewable for the duration of the course of study, if satisfactory progress is maintained, for 1 year at honours level, 2 at master's level and 3 at doctoral level. Students who are eligible for renewals of awards made, may apply for such renewals by completing Form 10F.

Applicants must apply for full-time admission through the UCT admissions office or the faculty office. Late applications are not accepted.

Closing date: 30 September (preceding the year of study). Email  [email protected]  for further information and application process.

POSTGRADUATE Bursaries South Africa 2025

  Have you completed your Undergraduate qualification and now want to further your studies with a Postgraduate qualification, but lack the funding to do so? Here are a list of bursaries, scholarships and funding opportunities to cover all your Postgraduate study-related expenses!  

View all Bursaries and Scholarships OPEN for application

Honours bursaries for 2025.

An Honours degree (NQF-8) is a degree you do once you have completed your undergraduate degree. Honours programmes are considered a higher level of education as it combines research projects, thesis, and coursework. During this year, students focus primarily on a specific area of interest and upon completion of the programme, move on to a Masters or Doctorate degree. Some Honours degrees are offered separately from Bachelor degrees. In this instance, the programmes may have different requirements for their entry, however, they both usually do need a high GPA (Grade Point Average) for a student to be considered for admission.

Here are a list of bursaries applicable for Honours degree studies:

• Ada & Bertie Levenstein Bursary
• Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary
• Analyze Consulting Bursary
• Aon Bursary
• AWS Skills Development Bursary
• Babette Taute Scholarship
• Baker Hughes Bursary
• BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund
• Council for Geoscience Bursary
• CPGR Bursary
• Critical Food Studies Postgraduate Scholarship
• CSIR Bursary
• Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Bursary
• Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary
• Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Bursary
• Department of Tourism Bursary
• Department of Transport Bursary
• Department of Water & Sanitation Bursary
• DSI-CSIR Bursary
• DSI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship
• Energy Mobility Education Trust Scholarship
• FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary
• Fulbright Foreign Student Program South Africa
• Garden Cities Bursary
• Genesis Educational Foundation Trust (GEFT) Bursary
• Gold Fields Ltd Bursary
• Golder Bursary
• GreenMatter Fellowship PhD at University of Cape Town
• Guy Butler Research Award Scholarship
• Harry Crossley Foundation Research Fellowship
• HCI Foundation Bursary
• HWSETA Postgraduate Bursary
• IIE-Vega School Bursary Competition
• Imfundo Enhle Education Trust Bursary
• Inscape Scholarship
• INSETA Bursary
• John Davidson Educational Trust Bursary
• Keaton Energy Mining Bursaries
• LGSETA Bursary
• Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship
• Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
• Mhlathuze Water Bursary
• MINDS Scholarship
• MiWay Bursary
• Netflix Scholarship
• Poliomyelitis Research Foundation Bursaries
• Potato Industry Development Trust Bursaries
• PwC Honours Bursary
• Quantum Foods Bursary
• Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) Bursary
• Rhodes Trust Scholarship
• Royal Bafokeng Holdings & Liquid Intelligent Technologies Bursary
• Rothschild & Co Foundation Scholarship
• RSM Education Trust Bursary
• SA Cultivar & Technology Agency (SACTA) Bursary
• SA WISE Angus Scholarship
• SAAFoST Aubrey Parsons Study Grant
• SAAFoST Foundation Bursary (for Part-Time Students)
• SAMAC Bursary
• SANBI Biological Invasion Bursary
• SANBI Joan Wrench Scholarship
• SANRAL Bursary
• SANSA Bursary
• Sasol Bursary
• SARAO Postgraduate Scholarship
• Scatec Bursary
• South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) Bursary
• South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) Bursary
• South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) Bursary
• South African Reserve Bank Scholarship
• Sibanye-Stillwater Bursary
• SKA South Africa Bursaries
• South African Association of Botanists Scholarship
• South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) Bursary
• Tomorrow Trust Bursary
• Toyota Tsusho Africa Bursary
• Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) Bursary
• UCT Centre For African Studies: Jack Simons Bursary
• UCT Department of Information Systems Bursary
• UCT International and Refugee Scholarship
• UFS Honours Bursary
• UKZN Archbishop Denis E. Hurley Scholarship
• Unisa Postgraduate Bursary
• UWC/ INSETA Bursary

MASTERS BURSARIES FOR 2025

A Masters Degree (NQF-9) is one of the most challenging but beneficial qualifications to obtain. The main aim and focus of a Master’s program are to ensure that students are trained, educated, and prepared for specialized employment and that they have the necessary skills to successfully execute their trade. A Master’s Degree requires a lot of research projects during the program, as students need to prepare and deliver essays (dissertation) and complete research projects. These assignment marks will also determine if the student will be able to complete their degree. Admission into a Master’s program requires a relevant Honours Degree along with a professional Bachelors Degree and Postgraduate Diploma.

Here are a list of bursaries applicable for Masters degree studies:

• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Bursaries
• African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Bursary
• Africa Wetu Foundation Bursary
• Agbiz Centenary Bursary
• AIMS Google DeepMind Scholarship
• Astron Energy Bursary
• Canon Collins Trust Mail & Guardian Scholarship
• Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship
• Canon Collins Scholarship for Economic Justice
• Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarship
• Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
• Canon Collins Trust and University of London Scholarships for Distance Learning
• Cecil Renaud International Scholarship
• Cenfri Bursary
• CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary
• David and Elaine Potter Fellowship
• Doug Banks Renewable Energy Vision (DBREV) Scholarship
• Dudley D’Ewes Scholarship
• Embassy of France Scholarship
• Erika Theron Trust Scholarship
• Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust Bursary
• FoodBev SETA Bursary
• Gates Cambridge International Scholarship
• HENSOLDT South Africa Bursary
• Imperial Stellenbosch University Bursary
• Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme
• KAS-SAIIA-Scholarship
• MANCOSA Bursary
• Mintek Bursary
• Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary
• Maize Trust Bursary
• Master Builders Association Western Cape (MBAWC) Bursary
• Meat Industry Trust (MIT) Bursary
• National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) Bursary
• NESP Scholarship
• NMU/ AIDC Postgraduate Bursary
• NMU/ AIDC PostDoctoral Fellowship
• NRF Scholarship at UJ
• Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) Bursary
• Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS)
• SAAFoST Brian Koeppen Memorial Scholarship
• SACCCS Bursary
• SAMRC Internship Scholarship
• SAMRC Scholarship
• SANBI Bursary
• SARB Scholarship
• Sasol Agriculture Trust Bursary
• South African Road Federation (SARF) Bursary
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Scholarship
• Sorghum Trust Scholarship
• South African-German Centre for Development Research (SA-GER CDR) Scholarship
• South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) Bursary
• Southern African Transport Conference (SATC) Bursary
• Stellenbosch University Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Scholarship
• TETA Scholarship at WMU
• Tiso Foundation Scholarship
• TFG Fellowship Bursary
• UCT Archive and Public Culture Postgraduate Bursaries
• Umgeni Water Postgraduate Bursary
• University of Johannesburg W&RSETA Bursary
• UKZN College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science Bursary
• UKZN Ethekwini Maritime Cluster Bursary
• UKZN Mellon Spatial Humanities Scholarship
• UKZN Richard AD Turner Bursary
• UWC Faculty of Education Bursary
• Winter Cereal Trust Bursary

PHD/ DOCTORAL BURSARIES FOR 2025

A Ph.D./ Doctoral degree (NQF-10) is the highest qualification anyone can obtain (also known as terminal degrees). Doctoral degrees demonstrate mastery in a subject area and can be either an applied or research-based degree. Upon completion of a Doctoral degree, the student will then become a professional in their field of study; Doctoral degrees are applicable to almost ANY subject area. The program takes 4 years to complete after a Bachelor’s Degree, however, if the student already holds a Master’s degree, they will be able to complete the Doctoral qualification in the same subject area, on a full-time study basis over a 3-year course.

Here are a list of bursaries applicable for Ph.D./ Doctoral degree studies:

• Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) Bursary
• Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme (BM-NHSP)
• EP Bradlow Bursary at Stellenbosch University
• L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science South Africa Grant
• Stellenbosch University Doctoral Scholarship
• Stellenbosch University GEM Scholarship
• Stellenbosch University Lisa Maskell Scholarship
• Tiso Foundation Archibald Mafeje PhD Scholarship
• UFS and South African Society for Plant Pathology (SASPP) Fellowship
• University of Free State (UFS) Doctoral Scholarship
• UKZN Doctoral Research Scholarships

POSTGRADUATE BURSARIES FOR 2025

Postgraduate studies refer to learning and studying towards academic/ professional qualifications. Qualifications one can obtain during postgraduate students are degrees, academic/ professional certificates, diplomas, and other qualifications. A student partakes in a Postgraduate program upon successful completion of an undergraduate degree or (in some circumstances) relevant industry experience. Postgraduate studies are made up of coursework and research, with the coursework component consisting of levels such as Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, and Master. Various Degrees and filed of study are offered at a Master’s level, and others at a Graduate Certificate/ Diploma- this is dependant on both the industry employment standards, accreditation requirements, and/or entry requirements.

Here are a list of bursaries applicable for Postgraduate degree studies:

• AbbVie and SASA Scholarship
• AMSOL Bursary
• Environmental Resources Management (ERM) Bursary
• FirstRand International Postgraduate Scholarships
• Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary
• Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) Bursary
• Hollywood Foundation Bursary
• ILASA Bursary
• Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary
• ISFAP Postgraduate Bursary
• Kuehne + Nagel Inzuzo Trust Bursary
• Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund (LPFF) Bursary
• Lesedi Bursary
• LRF Dr Michael Bradfield Bursary
• Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Bursary
• Moses Kotane Institute Bursary
• Mulilo Bursary
• NFVF Bursary
• NFVF International Bursary
• NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
• Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa Bursaries
• Robben Island Museum (RIM) Bursary
• SA Maths and Science Teacher Intern Programme Bursary
• SAMSTIP (Southern African Mathematics and Science Teacher Intern Programme) Bursary
• Sanlam CA Trainee Bursary
• Santam Bursary
• SAOTA Bursary
• SOLTRAIN Postgraduate Bursary
• SANS Killie Campbell Bursary
• Southern African Weed Science Society Bursary
• Standard Bank Bursary
• SVA International Bursary
• Tegkor/ Nelson Mandela University Bursary
• The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
• The Rhodes Trust Scholarship (Postgraduate)
• UFS Postgraduate Diploma Bursary
• Upstream Training Trust Bursary
• UWP Consulting Bursary
• VGI Consulting Bursary
• Western Cape Department of Agriculture Bursary
• Western Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary

CAPSI-Mastercard Foundation PhD Fellowship 2024/2025 for young African doctoral students (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline:  Monday, September 16 th , 2024.

Applications are now open for the 2024/2025 CAPSI-Mastercard Foundation PhD Fellowship . The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at the Wits Business School (University of the Witwatersrand), with the support of the Mastercard Foundation invites applications for Doctoral Fellowship on the  Non-Profit Sector and its Contribution to African Economies  project. The aim of the PhD fellowship is to provide opportunities for young African doctoral students registered in African universities to participate in research on non-profit organisations and their contributions to African economies. The specific focus of the research project is ‘ The creation of dignified and fulfilling work for young Africans by the non-profit sector ’.

The CAPSI-Mastercard Foundation doctoral fellowship programme offers a maximum of five years of support to twenty (20) selected  full time Ph.D students . 

Requirements

To be eligible for the Fellowship Programme, applicants must:

• Be a female aged 35 years or below
• Be  currently enrolled as a full time student  in a relevant doctoral programme at an African university, focusing on themes and research aligned to the project.
• Have research interest in the  non-profit sector’s contributions to dignified and fulfilling work for African youth. 
• Demonstrate commitment to the programme and the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Be available to participate in the programme for its entire duration.
• In the first or second year of their PhD programme.
• Be nationals of any of the countries listed above and conduct research on any of them or some of them.
• The programme invites doctoral students exclusively from African universities in the 17 countries targeted by the project. These are Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

SUBJECT FIELDS

Social and behavioural sciences, including Economics, Development Studies, International Development, Non-profit or Philanthropic studies, Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Management, Public Policy, History, Human Geography, or any development-related field.

The research should strictly focus on the project’s main objective; The Contributions of Non-profit Sectors to African Economies with specific focus on Dignified and Fulfilling Work for the Youth .  

• Each fellow will receive a fully funded fellowship, providing a full scholarship of up to $30,000 per year.

Application Procedure

Eligible candidates should prepare and submit the following as part of the application package:

• Current curriculum vitae (CV).
• A personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining their research interest, motivation, and alignment with the advertised CAPSI Research programme.
• An outline of their proposed research project (Maximum 2500 words) covering the following.

             I. Background of study

            II. Problem Statement

           III. Research questions

          IV. Research objectives

          V.  Literature review and theoretical framework

          VI. Proposed methodology (covering research design, sampling and, data collection and ethical considerations)

4. A letter of recommendation from supervisor/proposed supervisor.

5. A copy of academic transcripts.

6. Proof of age ( e.g., passport, birth certificate, etc.)

7. Proof of admission or registration in an African University

The application must be sent by email to:  [email protected]  (applicants from West and North Africa),  [email protected]  (applicants from East Africa), and  eleanor.chipeta @wits.ac.za  (applicants from Southern Africa)  clearly marked “ PHD FELLOWSHIP IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO AFRICAN ECONOMIES,   and copied to  [email protected] .  

• The deadline for applications is  Monday, September 16 th , 2024.
• Successful applicants will be notified by Friday, September 27 th , 2024.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the CAPSI-Mastercard Foundation PhD Fellowship

Connecting Africans to the latest life changing Opportunities around the Globe. [email protected] | [email protected]

The Centre for Human Rights African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Workshop 2024 (Fully Funded to Pretoria, South Africa)  

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• UP's Future Africa Secures Two ARUA Collaborative PhD Programmes to Build Research Capacity in Africa

Posted on August 30, 2024

The University of Pretoria’s Future Africa (FA) has been awarded two Collaborative PhD Programmes by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). The PhD programmes, funded by the Mastercard Foundation, are designed to significantly strengthen research capacity in the areas of Sustainable Food Systems and the Politics of Sustainable Development across the African continent.

Starting in January 2026, PhD programmes will provide 85 scholarships each year, prioritising diversity with a target of 70% female enrolment and graduates under 35 years.

Sustainable Food Systems

The Collaborative PhD Programme in Sustainable Food Systems will be directed by UP’s Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems, Professor Frans Swanepoel in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Bologna in Italy as the European Union (EU) partner. This programme aims to address Africa’s pressing food security challenges and promote innovative, resilient food systems. Over the next decade, UP will receive 45 PhD scholarships, and UCT will be allocated 15 scholarships annually.

"This collaborative programme marks a significant leap forward in addressing Africa’s food security issues," said Professor Swanepoel. " By equipping the next generation of researchers with the necessary skills, we are fostering innovation and resilience in our food systems. Therefore, this initiative will not only benefit the academic research but will also have a transformative impact on policy and society across the continent."

Politics of Sustainable Development

The second programme, focusing on the Politics of Sustainable Development, will be directed by Professor Maano Ramutsindela , Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainability Transformations, co-hosted by UP and UCT. In partnership with the University of Oslo in Norway, this programme will offer 40 PhD scholarships annually, preparing students to tackle complex global sustainability challenges.

"The launch of this PhD programme underscores the importance of transformative approaches to training a new generation of doctoral graduates in sustainable development," said Professor Ramutsindela. "Our goal is to develop leaders and researchers who can tackle complex global challenges and drive Africa’s development in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the global Sustainable Development Goals.”

Enhancing Africa's Research Landscape

These new PhD programmes are part of ARUA’s initiative, which includes 16 Collaborative PhD programmes aimed at enhancing Africa’s research landscape. The goal is to graduate 1 000 PhD holders annually across seven cohorts, over the next decade.

Professor Wanda Markotter , Interim Director of Future Africa, commented, “These Collaborative PhD Programmes represent a bold step in building Africa’s research capacity, empowering the continent to tackle its most pressing challenges. At Future Africa, we are proud to be part of this transformative journey, shaping a new generation of leaders who will drive the necessary transformations in science and society from within Africa.”

The University of Pretoria has been awarded a total of four ARUA Collaborative PhD Programmes, including those focusing on Agile and Resilient Engineering for the Future, as well as Health & Identities.

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