Postgraduate studies refer to advanced learning and training beyond an undergraduate qualification. They include academic and professional degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
A student may enter a postgraduate programme after completing an undergraduate degree or, in some cases, through relevant work experience. These programmes usually combine coursework and research. Coursework can take the form of Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, and Master’s degrees. The level of qualification available depends on the field of study, industry requirements, accreditation, and entry conditions.
To help you finance your studies, several organisations, institutions, and trusts offer bursaries and scholarships to postgraduate students in South Africa and abroad.
List of Postgraduate Bursaries for 2026
Here are bursaries you can apply for if you plan to pursue a postgraduate qualification:
- AbbVie and SASA Scholarship
- Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary
- AMSOL Bursary
- AWS Skills Development Bursary
- Baker Hughes Bursary
- BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund
- Canon Collins Trust and University of London Scholarships for Distance Learning
- Cecil Renaud International Scholarship
- CPGR Bursary
- Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Bursary
- Environmental Resources Management (ERM) Bursary
- FirstRand International Postgraduate Scholarships
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program South Africa
- Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary
- HCI Foundation Bursary
- Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) Bursary
- Hollywood Foundation Bursary
- ILASA Bursary
- Imfundo Enhle Education Trust Bursary
- Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary
- INSETA Bursary
- ISFAP Postgraduate Bursary
- John Davidson Educational Trust Bursary
- Kuehne + Nagel Inzuzo Trust Bursary
- Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund (LPFF) Bursary
- Lesedi Bursary
- LGSETA Bursary
- LRF Dr Michael Bradfield Bursary
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
- Mhlathuze Water Bursary
- MINDS Scholarship
- Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Bursary
- Moses Kotane Institute Bursary
- Mulilo Bursary
- Netflix Scholarship
- NFVF Bursary
- NFVF International Bursary
- NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
- Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa Bursaries
- Potato Industry Development Trust Bursaries
- Robben Island Museum (RIM) Bursary
- Rhodes Trust Scholarship
- SA Maths and Science Teacher Intern Programme Bursary
- SAMSTIP (Southern African Mathematics and Science Teacher Intern Programme) Bursary
- SANRAL Bursary
- Sanlam CA Trainee Bursary
- Santam Bursary
- SAOTA Bursary
- Sasol Bursary
- Scatec Bursary
- South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) Bursary
- SOLTRAIN Postgraduate Bursary
- South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) Bursary
- SANS Killie Campbell Bursary
- Southern African Development Community (SADC) Scholarship
- Southern African Weed Science Society Bursary
- Standard Bank Bursary
- SVA International Bursary
- Tegkor / Nelson Mandela University Bursary
- The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
- The Rhodes Trust Scholarship (Postgraduate)
- UCT Centre For African Studies: Jack Simons Bursary
- UFS Postgraduate Diploma Bursary
- Unisa Postgraduate Bursary
- Upstream Training Trust Bursary
- UWC / INSETA Bursary
- UWP Consulting Bursary
- VGI Consulting Bursary
- WENOSA Scholarship
- Western Cape Department of Agriculture Bursary
- Western Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary
