NWU Nagraadse Beursskema

NWU strengthens support for postgraduate studies (honours, master’s, and doctoral)

Instant Information on Postgraduate Bursaries 2026

The NWU Postgraduate Bursary Scheme is designed to provide financial support to deserving postgraduate students who lack the means to afford tertiary education while also recognising outstanding academic performance. This scheme aligns with the University’s strategic objectives as outlined in the Annual Performance Plan.

All students admitted for postgraduate studies will automatically be considered for the NWU Honours, Masters and Doctoral bursaries - no separate application is required, except for the Full Cost Master's and PhD Bursary.

The University reserves the right, should circumstances be justified, to alter the guidelines, conditions and value of the NWU bursary without prior notice to the applicant...

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Full Cost Master's and PhD Bursary Fund

Following Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka's announcement on 18 August 2025 at the launch of the NWU's annual Research and Innovation Week to assist postgraduate students, the criteria and conditions have now been finalised, and qualifying students may apply for the full cost bursary.

Eligibility criteria

  • Household income less than R600 000 per annum
  • Candidates with a result ≥ 70% for their most recent degree may apply for the bursary. For applicants who do not meet this requirement, a faculty motivation must be submitted along with the other supporting documents.
  • Applicants must qualify for faculty and programme-specific admission requirements.
  • Preference will be given to students studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) -fields, with 65% of allocations to STEM and 35% to non-STEM study fields.
  • Applicants must undertake to register for full-time study - bursaries will not be awarded to part-time students.
  • Programmes presented in the Business School are excluded (e.g. MBA, PhD).
  • Other NWU bursaries will be deducted from the NWU allocation (no double-funding).
  • Applicants may not hold other full cost bursaries.
  • SADC and permanent RSA residents (subject to submission of SAQA certificate)

Bursary conditions

  • Continued funding is subject to adherence to milestones set by faculties and evaluated every six months.
  • Living-related allowances will be paid monthly.
  • A publication in a peer-reviewed book or journal - or evidence of preparation towards submission of such publication journal, is a requirement.
  • 20 hours of student assistantship per month is a requirement.

Interim application process

All students who are interested in applying for the Full Cost Master's and PhD Bursary can send an email to finance@nwu.ac.za with the subject line: FULL COST M&D BURSARY 2026. Applicants must attach the following documents to the email:

  • Academic transcripts of their most recent degree
  • Proof of income

The closing date for applications is 31 January 2026.

The closing date for Postgraduate studies is 31 October 2025

Kind regards
Elmarie de Beer
Executive Director: Finance and Facilities