UNISA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025-2026

UNISA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025-2026: UNISA Postgraduate bursary 2025

The University of South Africa (UNISA) Postgraduate Bursary Application for the 2025- 2026 academic year is open for postgraduate qualifications. Therefore, all prospective applicants and UNISA students must Only submit online applications via myUnisa.

The UNISA Postgraduate Bursary aims to assist South African and international students with their research activities and tuition fees. Financial support is offered to both postgraduate diploma and honours students, subject to eligibility, academic performance, and availability of funds. The postgraduate diploma and honours bursary specifically assists South African UNISA alumni with their UNISA tuition fees, helping them to register and complete their qualifications.

UNISA Postgraduate Bursary Application Date 2025-2026

The 2025 Unisa master’s and doctoral bursary application period has been extended to January 2025. Therefore, interested yet eligible students may apply during the application date. Applications may be submitted before the closing date as late applications may not be considered for the 2025-2026 academic year.

READ: UNISA Student Fees and Funding 2025

What Does The Unisa Postgraduate Bursary Cover?

The bursary covers tuition fees and research essentials. For more information on research essentials and activities, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section on the UNISA website (unisa.ac.za).

• Master’s Degree by Research: An experimental research allowance is limited to R55,000 over the first three consecutive years of funding, subject to an approved re-application.
• Master’s Degree by Coursework: A research allowance is limited to R25,000 over the first two consecutive years of funding, subject to an approved re-application.
• Doctoral Degree by Research: A research allowance is limited to R80,000 over the first four consecutive years of funding, subject to an approved re-application.
• Doctoral Degree by Experimental Research: A research allowance is limited to R120,000 over the first four consecutive years of funding, subject to an approved re-application.

Master’s and Doctoral students without an ethical clearance certificate are only eligible for a one-time laptop allowance from the above-allocated research allowance, subject to an approved application and a completed or passed research proposal.

Master’s and Doctoral students will be eligible for the remaining balance of the research allowance once they have obtained an ethical clearance certificate by 31 January of each academic year and have an approved re-application based on academic performance.

The Bursary does not cover the following:

• additional years beyond the above-mentioned number of years.
• failed/ repeating modules in the case of Master’s by Coursework students.
• additional or different NQF level 9/10 qualification from the one previously funded.
• historic debt.

NOTE: Note that priority will be given to South African (citizens) students according to an 80/20 per cent ratio over international students for funding.

Who Can Apply For Postgraduate Burasry At Unisa 2025-2026?

Returning Beneficiaries

• These are South African and international UNISA students who were previously funded by the UNISA Postgraduate Bursary and are continuing with their research studies at the same NQF level 9 or 8 qualifications. Funding for these students is subject to their academic performance and adherence to the bursary’s guidelines, terms, and conditions.

New Bursary Applicants

These are South African and international UNISA students applying for the bursary for the first time.

• Master’s and Doctoral Research Students: Applicants must have submitted and passed their Research Proposal by January 2025.
• Master’s by Coursework Students: Applicants must have passed at least two coursework modules by January 2025. Students who have passed all coursework modules, submitted, and passed their Research Proposal by January 2025, and are now focusing on research, are also eligible to apply.

Who Can Not Apply for Postgraduate Bursary At Unisa 2025-2026?

• UNISA permanent staff members.
• First-year Master’s and Doctoral students.

Students enrolled at the Graduate School of Business Leadership for the following programs:

1. Master of Business Administration (MBA)
2. Master of Business Leadership (MBL)

• Students registered for special study programs, including certificates (e.g., PGCE) and non-degree purpose programs.
• Students who already hold a postgraduate degree at the same or a higher NQF level as the qualification they are currently registered for.

READ: When to Apply for 2025 Master’s at Unisa?

Required Supporting Documents for UNISA Bursary Application for 2025-2026

The following documents are required:

• Copy of ID
• Proof of household income
• Parents’ IDs (for dependent applicants)
• Academic record

How to Apply for UNISA Postgraduate Bursary 2025-2026 academic year

To apply for UNISA Bursaries, all applicants must follow the steps below:

• Go to UNISA website: www.unisa.ac.za
• Click on the “myUNISA” tab at the top right of the page
• myUNISA windows will be open
• At the top menu of the page, click on “Student Affairs & SRC”
• Go to “Student Fundings” and click on ” Bursaries & Loans”
• UNISA Online Bursary Applications portal will be open for you
• Select the relevant bursary you wish to apply for on the left menu
• Complete and submit your online application for review.

When using the bursary application platform, students are encouraged to use Chrome or Internet Explorer. Students can contact the university with their myLife e-mail account for any further information.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be No hard copy or e-mail applications.

What Happens After Apply For Postgraduate Bursary for 2025-2026

Application outcomes will only be communicated to you via your myLife email account. Students who were unsuccessful in securing bursary funding and have paid for their registration should deregister before the cancellation closing date through their respective colleges or via myUnisa if they are unable to secure alternative funding.

Appeal Process for Master’s and Doctoral Students Postgraduate Bursary Application 2025-2026

Students may submit an appeal between 1 May and 7 May, supported by their supervisor. Appeals should be submitted via formal email to CGS-pgb@unisa.ac.za, including information or evidence that proves the rejection reasons provided contradict the student’s current status.

Students Who Cannot Appeal:

• Students who have already been fully funded for the entire bursary period.
• Students whose applications were unsuccessful due to insufficient funds.
• Students with adequate external or alternative funding (to avoid double dipping).
• Students rejected by the college vetting process due to unsatisfactory academic performance.
• Students who are not eligible for the bursary according to the guidelines, terms, and conditions.

READ: UNISA Online Application 2025 Postgraduate

Contact Unisa

• All application, registration and study-related information are available in web and Mobi formats on the Unisa corporate website.
  • Unisa website (http://www.unisa.ac.za)
• The myUnisa website.
  • myUnisa (https://my.unisa.ac.za/)
• Fax enquiries to 012 429 4150

Visit the official website of the University of South Africa for more information. I hope the provided information is helpful. Share your thoughts below for more details. UNISA Postgraduate Bursaries 2025-2026

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