Master's Degree Bursaries in South Africa 2026
Two-year master's research or coursework degrees. 15 funding opportunities available — updated May 2026.
Funding a master's degree in South Africa works a little differently from undergrad. NSFAS generally doesn't cover postgraduate study, so this is where bursaries, scholarships and research grants really come into their own. At this level, money tends to flow from the people who want skilled, qualified specialists: the National Research Foundation and similar research bodies, government departments and SOEs, SETAs aligned to your sector, university merit and faculty awards, corporate bursary programmes, and private trusts and foundations. Many of these are full-cost packages covering tuition, registration, and often a living stipend or research allowance, while others are partial top-ups you can combine. If your master's leans towards research, NRF-style scholarships and faculty funding are worth pursuing; if it's coursework-based or professionally focused, corporate and SETA bursaries tied to scarce-skills fields are often the better fit.
Eligibility at master's level usually rests on academic strength first. Expect funders to ask for a strong undergraduate and honours record, often with a minimum average in place, along with South African citizenship or permanent residence and acceptance or registration into an accredited programme. Research funding frequently wants a clear research proposal, a confirmed supervisor, and sometimes a motivation letter or reference from an academic. Some corporate and SETA bursaries add financial-need criteria and a work-back agreement, meaning you commit to working for the funder for a set period after you graduate, so read those conditions carefully before signing. Field of study matters too: funding is far more plentiful in engineering, science, health, accounting, ICT, education and other scarce-skills areas.
Timing is everything for postgrad funding. Many awards open earlier than undergrad ones, with research and university scholarship cycles often running from around mid-year into the start of the new academic year, and many corporate windows opening in the second half of the year. Apply as early as you can, to several funders at once, and never assume one bursary will come through. A polished proposal, a lined-up supervisor, certified transcripts and strong references will set your application apart from the start.
Quick tips
- →Lock in a supervisor and a clear research proposal early, as research bursaries almost always require both before they'll consider you.
- →Apply to several funders at once and don't wait for results, since postgrad windows often open from mid-year and fill fast.
- →Read every work-back clause carefully, as many corporate and SETA bursaries tie you to years of service after you qualify.
- →Keep certified transcripts, your ID and at least two academic references ready, so you can submit the moment applications open.
- →Target your field, since scarce-skills areas like engineering, science, health, ICT and education attract far more master's-level funding.
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship is South Africa's most prestigious entrepreneurship-focused bursary, open to any field of study. No workback obligation.
Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme 2027/2028 for Postgraduate Study in Ireland
Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme
A fully-funded fellowship for South African postgraduate students to study in Ireland, aiming to nurture future leaders and develop in-country capacity.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative enabling talented, service-oriented young people to pursue higher education and cultivate leadership potential for a better Africa.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from eligible lower and upper middle-income Commonwealth countries, to undertake full-time taught Master’s study at a UK university.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are for candidates from least developed and lower middle-income Commonwealth countries, to undertake Master’s study at a UK university.
MQA Bursary Scheme - Continuation Application 2026
Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA)
The MQA Bursary Scheme offers existing beneficiaries an opportunity to renew their funding for the 2026 academic year, supporting careers in the mining and minerals sector across South African HEIs and TVETs.
NIHSS Postgraduate Bursary (Humanities & Social Sciences)
National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS)
NIHSS funds postgraduate research in humanities, social sciences, law, and education. One of the few dedicated postgraduate bursaries for humanities students in South Africa.
CHIETA Industrial Futures Bursary Discretionary Grant 2026/2027
Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority
The CHIETA Industrial Futures Bursary supports unemployed South African youth accepted into accredited public tertiary institutions, covering studies in the chemical sector for those with academic potential and financial need.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Master's Scholarships
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
The Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships support candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries to undertake part-time Master’s study in the UK via distance learning.
South African National Space Agency (SANSA) 2027 Postgraduate Bursaries
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
SANSA provides postgraduate degree bursaries to contribute to the development of skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
Rhodes Southern Africa Scholarships Programme 2027
Rhodes Trust
A fully-funded postgraduate award for talented Southern African students to study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
CECIL Renaud Overseas Scholarships 2027
The Cecil Renaud Educational and Charitable Trust
Dr Cecil Renaud's Trust offers scholarships for young South Africans to pursue postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.
University of Pretoria MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) 2027
University of Pretoria
A fully-funded scholarship for undergraduate and postgraduate study at the University of Pretoria, supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
Department of Agriculture Bursary (DALRRD)
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
The Department of Agriculture funds agriculture, environmental science, and veterinary science students with a full bursary including workback in government agriculture programmes.
NRF Postgraduate Funding (Honours, Masters & PhD)
National Research Foundation (NRF)
The NRF funds postgraduate research students (Honours through PhD) across science, engineering, humanities, and social science fields. No workback, no financial need requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there bursaries for master's degree students in South Africa?
Yes — we currently list 15 bursaries available to master's degree students. Two-year master's research or coursework degrees.
Can Master's students apply for NSFAS?
NSFAS is primarily for undergraduate and TVET students. Postgraduate students should explore NRF bursaries, departmental bursaries, and corporate postgraduate awards.