Postgraduate Bursaries South Africa 2027

Postgraduate Bursaries comprises of a detailed list of bursaries and scholarships for 2027 academic year. There are other funding opportunities for students who want to study towards an Honours, Master’s, PhD, Doctoral or other postgraduate qualification.

Here you find postgraduate funding by application status, study level and field of study. We track opportunities that are currently open, closing soon and awaiting their next intake, then link to the individual Grads24 pages where you can find the full requirements, funding benefits, documents and application instructions.

Postgraduate Bursaries Open Now for 2027

If you need postgraduate funding for 2027, start with the opportunities below. These are programmes with current or upcoming application windows that postgraduate students should investigate.

Important: A bursary appearing in this directory does not mean that every student qualifies. Postgraduate funding providers can restrict applications according to study level, field of study, university, academic performance, citizenship, financial need or research topic. Always open the individual bursary page and check the current requirements before applying.

• 🟢 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship — Master’s — Closes 1 September 2026 — International relations, political science, development studies, economics, law, journalism and related humanities/social sciences.
• 🟢 MMEG Bursary — Graduate and postgraduate study at eligible South African universities — Closes 14 September 2026.
• 🟢 CSIR Bursary — Honours, Master’s and Doctoral study — Closes 15 September 2026 — Science, engineering and technology-related fields.
• 🟢 IDC Bursary — Includes selected Honours studies — Closes 30 September 2026.
• 🟢 Potatoes SA Bursary — Honours, Master’s and PhD opportunities — Closes 31 October 2026 — Agriculture and potato-industry related research.
• 🟢 UCT Postgraduate Financial Aid Bursary — Honours, Master’s and Doctoral — Closes 10 November 2026 — Open to eligible South African citizens and permanent residents across fields.
• 🟢 NRF Honours General Funding — Honours — Applicant closing date 23 November 2026 — Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Application windows can change, and some providers use different deadlines for applicants and universities. Always check the individual opportunity and official provider information before submitting an application.

Postgraduate Bursaries Closing Soon

Postgraduate applications often close months before the academic year begins. This is particularly important for 2027 funding because several major programmes have deadlines during September and October 2026.

Opportunity	Study Level	Closing Date	Status
KAS-SAIIA Scholarship	Master’s	1 September 2026	🟢 Open
MMEG Bursary	Graduate / Postgraduate	14 September 2026	🟢 Open
CSIR Bursary	Honours / Master’s / Doctoral	15 September 2026	🟢 Open
IDC Bursary	Selected Honours	30 September 2026	🟢 Open
Potatoes SA Bursary	Honours / Master’s / PhD	31 October 2026	🟢 Open
UCT Postgraduate Financial Aid Bursary	Honours / Master’s / Doctoral	10 November 2026	🟢 Open
NRF Honours General Funding	Honours	23 November 2026	🟢 Open

Do not wait until the closing date. Postgraduate applications can require academic transcripts, research information, references, university admission or registration information and other documents that may take time to obtain.

Honours Bursaries South Africa 2027

An Honours degree is a postgraduate qualification normally completed after a relevant Bachelor’s degree. Funding at this level can be offered by government research organisations, universities, private companies, foundations and professional organisations.

Some Honours bursaries are open across multiple disciplines, while others are restricted to specific research areas or fields such as science, engineering, agriculture, economics or technology.

• 🟢 CSIR Bursary — supports selected undergraduate, Honours, Master’s and Doctoral fields linked to CSIR research priorities.
• 🟢 NRF Honours General Funding 2027 — supports eligible Honours students in Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities.
• 🟢 IDC Bursary — includes selected Honours qualifications in its 2027 programme.
• 🟢 Potatoes SA Bursary — postgraduate funding can include Honours research linked to the potato industry.
• 🟢 UCT Postgraduate Financial Aid Bursary — supports eligible Honours students across fields at UCT.

Master’s Bursaries South Africa 2027

Master’s funding is available through a mixture of research scholarships, university funding, private bursaries and specialist postgraduate programmes. Some opportunities are intended specifically for research-based Master’s degrees, while others can support broader postgraduate study.

• 🟢 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship 2027 — Master’s funding combined with an internship and professional development programme.
• 🟢 CSIR Bursary 2027 — supports eligible Master’s students in approved fields.
• 🟢 NRF Master’s Funding 2027 — supports eligible Master’s research across Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities.
• 🟢 Potatoes SA Bursary — supports qualifying postgraduate research related to the potato industry.
• 🟢 UCT Postgraduate Financial Aid Bursary — available to eligible Master’s students.

If you are specifically looking for Master’s bursaries, do not limit your search to opportunities containing the word “bursary”. Many major postgraduate funding programmes are called scholarships, grants or fellowships.

PhD and Doctoral Bursaries South Africa 2027

Doctoral funding is generally more research-focused than undergraduate funding. Providers can require a detailed research proposal, supervisor confirmation, academic record and evidence that the proposed research fits within an approved research area.

• 🟢 CSIR Bursary 2027 — includes Doctoral study in eligible research areas.
• 🟢 NRF Doctoral Funding 2027 — supports eligible doctoral candidates across Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities.
• 🟢 Potatoes SA Bursary 2027 — supports qualifying PhD research related to the potato industry.
• 🟢 UCT Postgraduate Financial Aid Bursary — available to eligible Doctoral students at UCT.

PhD applicants should start preparing much earlier than the application deadline where possible. Research proposals, supervisor discussions and university registration can take considerable time.

Postgraduate Bursaries by Field of Study

Postgraduate funding is available across a wide range of disciplines. However, the field of study is one of the most important things to check before applying because many scholarships are restricted to specific research areas.

• Science: chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, environmental science and related disciplines.
• Engineering: civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, electronic and other engineering disciplines.
• Information Technology: computer science, data science, artificial intelligence and related technology fields.
• Economics and Commerce: economics, finance, accounting, business and related disciplines.
• Humanities and Social Sciences: political science, international relations, development studies, sociology, journalism and related areas.
• Agriculture: agricultural science, agricultural economics, food-related research and industry-specific postgraduate research.
• Law: postgraduate law qualifications and research, subject to the requirements of the particular provider.
• Health Sciences: selected medical, health, pharmaceutical and related postgraduate disciplines.

Use the relevant Grads24 field-of-study category to find more opportunities in your specific discipline. Remember that a field appearing on a general list does not automatically mean that every postgraduate bursary funds that field.

Postgraduate Bursary Requirements

There is no single set of requirements for all postgraduate bursaries in South Africa. Each provider establishes its own eligibility criteria.

• South African citizenship or permanent residency, where required.
• Acceptance or registration at a recognised university.
• A relevant undergraduate qualification for Honours or Master’s study.
• A relevant Master’s qualification for many Doctoral programmes.
• A minimum academic average, which can differ substantially between providers.
• Full-time study, where required.
• A specific field of study or approved research area.
• Financial need, where applicable.
• A research proposal or dissertation topic for research-focused funding.
• Supervisor confirmation or recommendation for certain Master’s and PhD opportunities.
• Age, nationality, university or geographical restrictions for selected programmes.

For example, the 2027 NRF postgraduate funding framework includes a minimum academic requirement of 65% for the previous degree, while specific funding categories have additional conditions. NRF funding covers eligible Master’s and Doctoral candidates in Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities.

This demonstrates why applicants should never assume that the requirements of one postgraduate bursary apply to another.

How to Apply for Postgraduate Bursaries

The application method depends on the provider. Most current postgraduate funding opportunities require an online application, although some universities use their own student portals and some organisations use dedicated application systems.

1. Choose the correct study level. Determine whether you are applying for Honours, Master’s or Doctoral funding.
2. Check the field of study. Make sure your qualification or proposed research is eligible.
3. Check the academic requirements. Confirm the required average before spending time on the application.
4. Check the university requirement. Some bursaries are limited to specific universities.
5. Prepare your documents. Academic records, proof of registration, references and research documents may be required.
6. Prepare your motivation. Explain your academic background, research interests and why the funding is important.
7. Complete the official application. Use the application portal specified by the provider.
8. Submit before the deadline. Do not rely on an old closing date from a previous intake.
9. Save proof of submission. Keep your application reference number and copies of submitted documents.

For research-based Master’s and Doctoral funding, it is also sensible to begin discussions with a potential supervisor early. Some programmes require confirmation that an academic supervisor is willing to supervise the proposed research.

Documents Commonly Required for Postgraduate Bursaries

• Certified South African ID or other identification document.
• Latest academic transcript.
• Degree certificates.
• Proof of university acceptance or registration.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Motivation letter.
• Research proposal or research-interest statement, where applicable.
• Supervisor letter or confirmation, where required.
• Reference or recommendation letters.
• Proof of household income or financial need, where applicable.
• Proof of residence, where required.
• Additional documents specified by the particular bursary provider.

Do not upload a generic document package to every bursary. Each provider can request different documents, formats and certification requirements.

Closed Postgraduate Bursaries and Next Intake Watch

Missing a deadline does not necessarily mean that the opportunity has disappeared permanently. Many postgraduate bursaries operate on annual application cycles.

At Grads24, we keep closed opportunities on the directory when they are useful to students searching for the next intake. However, a closed status means you should not treat the previous application deadline as an active opportunity.

• 🔴 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship — 2027 application closes 1 September 2026; once the deadline passes, monitor SAIIA for the next intake.
• 🔴 Other annual Master’s and PhD scholarships — check the individual Grads24 page for the previous closing date and expected next application period.
• 🔴 University postgraduate funding — university application cycles can reopen annually and may have different deadlines from external bursaries.

If a bursary has closed, you can still use its individual Grads24 page to understand the usual eligibility criteria, funding benefits and application process while waiting for the next application cycle.

Why Postgraduate Bursaries Close Before the Academic Year

It is normal for applications for 2027 postgraduate funding to close during 2026. Providers need time to assess applications, verify academic information, select candidates and finalise funding before the new academic year begins.

This is why students should not wait until January 2027 to begin looking for funding. By then, many of the major postgraduate scholarships may already have closed.

Postgraduate Bursaries vs Postgraduate Scholarships

Students often use the terms bursary, scholarship, grant and fellowship interchangeably when searching for postgraduate funding. However, providers may use these terms differently.

A postgraduate funding opportunity can provide tuition assistance, a stipend, research funding, accommodation support, travel funding, mentorship or professional development. Some programmes combine several of these benefits.

For this reason, search for both postgraduate bursaries and postgraduate scholarships when looking for 2027 funding.

How Much Do Postgraduate Bursaries Pay?

There is no standard amount paid by postgraduate bursaries in South Africa. Funding can range from a contribution towards tuition or research costs to comprehensive scholarships that include tuition and a living stipend.

For example, the NRF’s 2027 postgraduate programme distinguishes between Full Cost of Study and Partial Cost of Study funding, while the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship provides full tuition funding together with a monthly stipend.

Always check the individual bursary page for the exact funding benefits rather than assuming that every postgraduate bursary is fully funded.

Postgraduate Funding for Students With Outstanding Fees

Students with outstanding university fees should check the individual funding provider’s rules carefully. Some bursaries are intended for future study costs, while others may provide assistance to currently registered students or students with financial need.

An outstanding fee balance does not automatically make you eligible for a postgraduate bursary. The provider may have specific rules about registration, previous debt, academic progress and the costs that can be funded.

Why Use the Grads24 Postgraduate Bursary Directory?

The purpose of this page is not simply to create the longest possible list of postgraduate bursaries. It is designed to help you answer the questions that matter before you apply:

• Is the bursary currently open?
• What is the closing date?
• Does it fund my study level?
• Does it fund my field?
• What are the requirements?
• What expenses are covered?
• What documents do I need?
• How do I apply?
• Who provides the funding?
• What happens if the opportunity has already closed?

Each individual Grads24 bursary page is designed to answer these questions in greater detail. Use this category page to discover the opportunity, then visit the individual page before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions About Postgraduate Bursaries

Which postgraduate bursaries are open for 2027?

Current 2027 postgraduate opportunities include programmes such as the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship, MMEG, CSIR, IDC, Potatoes SA, UCT postgraduate funding and NRF funding. Application dates differ, so check the current status and closing date for each opportunity before applying.

Can I get a bursary for an Honours degree?

Yes. Several South African bursaries and scholarships fund Honours study. Examples include NRF Honours funding, CSIR funding, university postgraduate funding and selected private or industry-specific bursaries.

Can I get a bursary for a Master’s degree?

Yes. Master’s funding is available through organisations such as the NRF, CSIR, universities, foundations and specialist scholarship programmes such as KAS-SAIIA.

Can I get funding for a PhD in South Africa?

Yes. Doctoral funding is available through the NRF, CSIR, universities and various research organisations and foundations. PhD applicants should pay particular attention to research-area and supervisor requirements.

What fields are covered by postgraduate bursaries?

Postgraduate funding can be available for Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, Commerce, Agriculture, Law, Health Sciences and many other disciplines. However, each bursary determines which qualifications and research areas it will fund.

What documents do I need for a postgraduate bursary?

Common documents include an academic transcript, degree certificates, proof of university admission or registration, identification, CV, motivation letter and, for research-focused funding, a research proposal, research-interest statement or supervisor confirmation.

Do postgraduate bursaries cover tuition fees?

Some do. Others provide partial funding or a contribution towards specific study costs. Funding can include tuition, registration, accommodation, living expenses, research costs, travel or other approved expenses depending on the provider.

Are postgraduate bursaries only for South African citizens?

No. Some programmes are restricted to South African citizens or permanent residents, while others can accept international students. Always check the nationality requirements of the specific bursary.

Can I apply for more than one postgraduate bursary?

In many cases you can apply for multiple funding opportunities, but you must check each provider’s rules. Some programmes restrict applicants who already receive full funding from another source.

What if the postgraduate bursary I want has already closed?

Check whether the provider has an annual application cycle and look for the expected next intake. You should also continue searching for other postgraduate bursaries with later deadlines.

Important Before You Apply

• Check the bursary’s current application status.
• Check the exact 2027 closing date.
• Confirm that your qualification is funded.
• Check whether the provider funds Honours, Master’s or Doctoral study.
• Check the minimum academic requirement.
• Check citizenship and university requirements.
• Prepare your academic record early.
• Prepare your research proposal or supervisor documentation if required.
• Use the official application method.
• Keep proof of submission.
• Verify important information against the provider’s latest announcement.

Important: Postgraduate bursary closing dates, funding amounts, study fields and eligibility requirements can change. The information on this directory is intended to help you discover funding opportunities. Always confirm the final application requirements and deadline with the relevant bursary provider before submitting your application.

More Bursaries and Scholarships for 2027

• All Bursaries South Africa 2027 — browse bursaries across all study levels and fields.
• Bursaries Open for 2027 — find opportunities with active application windows.
• Bursaries Closing in September 2026 — find opportunities with September deadlines.
• Bursaries Closing in October 2026 — find opportunities with October deadlines.
• Engineering Bursaries South Africa 2027 — postgraduate and undergraduate engineering funding.
• Accounting Bursaries South Africa — funding for accounting and related qualifications.
• Commerce Bursaries South Africa — funding for finance, economics, business and related fields.

Grads24 monitors bursaries and scholarships for South African students and updates individual pages as new application cycles and closing dates are announced. Always verify the latest information with the official bursary provider before applying.