Master’s and Doctoral bursary

2023 bursary application period

The 2023 UNISA Postgraduate Bursary Application period closing date has been extended to 2 February 2023.

N.B: Only online applications submitted via myUnisa link will be considered. No hard copy or e-mail applications will be considered.

N.B: Students need to be temporarily registered for registration to be activated once application is successful.

N.B: Returning bursary beneficiaries must re-apply for the bursary on a yearly basis limited to the terms indicated in the bursary guidelines, terms and conditions.

About the bursary

The master's and doctoral bursary aim to assist students with their research activities and tuition fees, enabling them to register for and complete their degrees.

The bursary is intended to provide financial support to Unisa South African and international master’s and doctoral students, subject to eligibility, academic performance, and the availability of funds.

Important Notices:

• Bursary outcomes:
  • Master's and Doctoral final outcomes will be communicated in the 1st week of April 2023 after the closing date of registration 31 March 2023

M&D Bursary guidelines, terms, and conditions

Click here for a PDF copy

Who can apply?

• Returning M&D bursary beneficiaries who are re-applying as required by the bursary guidelines, terms and conditions
• UNISA South African and international Master’s/ Doctoral students (with preference given to South African students according to an 80/20 per cent ratio)
• Master’s and Doctoral research students who have completed their Research Proposal module (by 31 January 2023)
• Master’s by Coursework
  • Master’s by coursework students who have passed 2 coursework modules (by 31 January 2023)
  • Master’s by coursework students who have passed all their modules (by 31 January 2023) and are now doing research

Who can NOT apply?

• UNISA permanent staff members
• First-year Master’s/ Doctoral students
• Students registered for Masters of Business Administration and Masters of business Leadership
• Students registered for special study programmes, including certificates (e.g., PGCE) and non-degree purpose programmes are not eligible for this bursary
• Students who already hold a postgraduate degree at the same or a higher NQF level to the qualification registered for are not eligible for this bursary.

What does the bursary fund?

• The award funds students for the first TWO, THREE or FOUR consecutive years of study.
• Master’s degree by research and experimental research: The bursary covers tuition fees and research essentials limited to R55 000 over the first three consecutive years of study towards the qualification.
• Master’s degree by coursework: The bursary covers tuition fees and research essentials limited to R25 000 over the first two consecutive years of study towards the qualification.
• Doctoral degree by research: The bursary covers tuition fees and research essentials limited to R80 000 over the first four consecutive years of study towards the qualification.
• Doctoral degree by experimental research: The bursary covers tuition fees and research essentials limited to R120 000 over the first four consecutive years of study towards the qualification.

Outcome is communicated to student’s mylife email account:

• Unsuccessful students who paid for their own registration should deregister before cancellation closing date (through their colleges/ myUnisa) if they cannot find alternative funding.
• Master’s and Doctoral students may submit an appeal between 1 May – 7 May, supported by supervisor
  • Appeals should be submitted as a formal email to CGS-pgb@unisa.ac.za with information/ evidence proving that the rejection reason(s) provided contradicts student’s status quo.
  • Students who can NOT appeal
    • Students who have been fully funded for the full bursary period
    • Students who are unsuccessful due to insufficient funds
    • Students who have adequate external/ alternative funding (double dipping)
    • Students who were rejected by the college vetting process due to unsatisfactory academic performance
    • Students who are NOT eligible for the bursary as per bursary guidelines, terms, and conditions

What should awarded students do? 

• Send the signed bursary contract as per email instructions before closing date thereof.
• Submit their banking details through the provided link as per email instructions from the award section.
  • Student can NOT use a third-party bank account (bank account should be the student’s account) to receive refund/allowance.
• Submit complete refund forms along with all required supporting documents as per email instructions from the award section at DSF-POSTGRD@unisa.ac.za
  • Please note Passport number must be valid and up to date on the UNISA system. If necessary, ensure you update your Unisa details with registration at study-info@unisa.ac.za or enquire@unisa.ac.za
  • The supervisor's name and signature should be completed on the refund/allowance claim form
  • The period of processing the claim will take 15-21 working days after receiving the refund documents. 
  • Supporting documents to be attached:
    • certified ID/ passport copy not older than six months
    • Proof of payment/invoice/receipt if claiming for own money.

Please note: 

• Applications MUST be SUBMITTED ONLINE VIA MYUNISA, no late, incomplete, email or hand delivered applications will be accepted/ considered.
• Unisa gives no guarantee that the bursary will be awarded to all eligible students, as the bursary is subject to the availability of funds
• If you have been a beneficiary for the full bursary years student will NOT be funded for an additional year whatsoever
• If a student:
  • fails to comply with any of the conditions of the award, and/or
  • terminates their studies, their Unisa postgraduate bursary will be cancelled, and the current year’s Unisa postgraduate bursary amount awarded will be charged to the student’s account, which will be handed over to the Unisa legal and finance department to affect the collection process.
• Re-application for a 2nd/3rd or 4th year of funding is required for the 2nd/3rd or 4th year of study and will ONLY be considered if the student maintained satisfactory academic progress.
• Student who wishes to cancel their registration/ modules will have to deregister before cancellation closing date (through their colleges/ myUnisa) and once cancellation is confirmed, communicate an award withdrawal to DSF PGB Award Section at DSF-POSTGRD@unisa.ac.za
  • Note that Division of Student Funding DOES NOT administer deregistration/ module cancellations.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they cancel before cancellation closing date and note that student may forfeit any amounts paid by the student and or may remain liable to pay the full outstanding fees.
  • For Master’s and Doctoral cancellations, visit:
    • After you register
• If you need assistance in applying for a bursary, please contact the DSF PGB Application section at cgs-pgb@unisa.ac.za
• Application outcomes will only be communicated to students via their myLife email account.
• If you need assistance relating to the processing of bursary refunds/allowances, payment of funds for an awarded bursary, please contact the DSF PGB Application section at DSF-POSTGRD@unisa.ac.za

2023 PG Bursary application app guide for M&D students is now available, Click here to download

Click here to apply