You’ve completed your undergraduate degree and want to explore postgrad study opportunities. Like many South Africans, the academic pursuit of a postgraduate degree feels out of reach, with little to no funding. Whether it be an honours, masters, or PhD, financial aid for postgraduate studies is not so easy to come by. But North-West University (NWU) steps into the gap, seeking to make the move to postgrad education much simpler with a range of postgraduate bursaries awaiting your application.

Our internal NWU Postgraduate Bursary Scheme offers partial to complete funding for some postgraduate degrees across various faculties. In contrast, other external postgraduate bursaries  - through the NRF, ThermoFisher Scientific Phambili Trust, Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, and international grants -  are other viable opportunities for many students needing financial assistance.

Let’s explore some of the postgraduate bursary opportunities that can help you advance your knowledge and skills and accelerate your career as well as impart some tips to make your application successful.

Learn from the experience of Julia Thepa, an honours bursary student from Limpopo studying environmental geology.

 

NWU Postgraduate Bursary Scheme

1. North-West University Postgraduate Bursary Scheme offers financial assistance to honours, masters, and doctoral students showing promise who cannot afford the financial burden of postgraduate education. The scheme aims to bolster students who have excelled academically.
   
   A designated amount of funding is allocated yearly to full-time registered students, while part-time or occasional students are excluded from this opportunity. The scheme is also offered to students who completed their studies at another university for their qualifying undergraduate degree.

The NWU Postgraduate Bursary Scheme can assist students concurrently with other bursaries, each providing partial funding for the course.

2. The NWU Postgraduate Academic Merit Bursary is another offering from the university awarded to learners who exceed expectations in their undergraduate studies. For those who completed their undergraduate qualification at NWU, this is automatically calculated should they wish to pursue postgraduate studies.  However, application is necessary for external students looking to begin their postgraduate studies at NWU.

 

External Funding Options

1. National Research Foundation

According to the NRF, their goal is ‘to create innovative funding opportunities that advance research career development, increase public science engagement, establish cutting-edge research to transform the scientific landscape of the country and inspire a representative research community to aspire to global competitiveness.’ 

The postgraduate bursary scheme bolsters South African research and innovation interests and builds bridges between research communities in a way that contributes to national development.

The aim is to provide funding for postgraduate research areas including science, engineering, technology, social sciences, and humanities.

A minimum requirement for application is 65%. It also caps the age of applicants to below 28, 30, and 32 for honours, masters, and doctoral studies respectively. The NRF bursary can either be awarded for full or partial coverage of the cost of study and is awarded to South African citizens or permanent residents who are either financially needy, living with a disability, or academic achievers.

 

2. International grants

NWU has connections with several international funding opportunities for postgraduate studies within a few speciality areas, each with its minimum requirements. These include the International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health, Open Grants, the Khetha Career Development Services, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, and the SAIRA Open Innovation Hub.

 

3. ThermoFisher Scientific Phambili Trust Bursary Scheme

This is an opportunity for black students - below the age of 35 -  from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate financial need to pursue studies at a South African tertiary institution in faculties of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

 

4. Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

This unique bursary calls for young leaders on the African continent to complete a one-year honours or two-year master's degree in any field. Additional benefits include coverage of study materials, medical aid, accommodation, and meals as well as access to a mentorship programme.

 

For more information on external scholarships, visit the NWU external postgraduate bursary pages.

 

Guidance on Crafting a Compelling Bursary Application

Begin your application by ensuring that all the necessary documents, essays, forms and references are submitted correctly.

Here are a few tips to guide your application:

 

1. Prepare in advance

Don’t leave your application to the last minute. Pay careful attention to the deadlines set on the NWU or external bursary website, ensuring that you send your application early to allow any comebacks.

 

 

2. Personal details and background information

Be sure to give a comprehensive overview of yourself, your background, and your family circumstances. Include any challenges that you have overcome.

 

3. Keep it short and sweet

Only include necessary information and limit wordy essays, unless otherwise specified.

 

4. Apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously

Increase your chances of receiving financial aid by applying for several bursary opportunities for which you are eligible. Be sure to tailor each application to the specific requirements of the provider.

 

5. Include all necessary documentation

Typically, it is necessary to include academic transcripts, proof of family income, or any further documents required.

 

6. Highlight your strengths and achievements

Be sure to mention any unique qualities or accomplishments that make you a deserving candidate for a postgraduate bursary, including awards, academic achievements, relevant projects, personality traits, and letters of recommendation.

 

7. Be honest

Avoid exaggeration or embellishment of your accomplishments and ensure a sincere application.

 

8. Proofread

Check your application for any typos or grammatical errors. Ask a qualified friend to give your application a once over.

 

 

Apply For Postgrad Bursary Opportunities At NWU

NWU aims to connect deserving students with as much financial aid and relief as possible to see them prosper as they pursue their postgraduate studies.

Postgraduate students showing academic, cultural, leadership, arts, or sporting promise are encouraged to apply for several scholarships to support their studies either in part or in full.

Fulfil your potential at NWU and apply for postgraduate bursaries today.