The University of South Africa (UNISA) has officially announced that applications for the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary program are open from 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024. This bursary is designed to provide financial assistance to postgraduate students at UNISA, helping them to achieve their academic goals without financial constraints.
Overview of the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary Program
The core purpose of the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary is to provide financial support to both South African and international students registered at UNISA for postgraduate studies. It is part of UNISA’s broader effort to support a student-centered learning environment and promote quality research outputs.
The bursary is available for two categories of students:
- Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Students – To assist qualifying South African UNISA alumni with their UNISA tuition fees, enabling them to complete their qualifications.
- Master’s and Doctoral Students – To support both South African and international returning master’s and doctoral students with their research activities and tuition fees.
Eligibility Criteria for the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary
Understanding the eligibility criteria is crucial before applying for the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary. The bursary is divided into two categories: one for Postgraduate Diploma and Honours students and another for Master’s and Doctoral students.
Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary
Who Can Apply?
- South African students registered for a UNISA NQF Level 8 Postgraduate Diploma or Honours.
- Returning bursary beneficiaries who were funded previously and have passed their previously funded modules with an average of 50%.
- New bursary applicants (UNISA alumni who completed their degree by 31 January 2025) with an average of 60% in their undergraduate qualification.
Who Cannot Apply?
- UNISA permanent staff members.
- International students (non-South African citizens).
- Graduate School of Business Leadership students (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, Project Management, or Supply Chain Management).
- Students registered for special study programmes or non-degree purpose programmes.
Master’s and Doctoral Bursary
Who Can Apply?
- Returning master’s and doctoral students who registered for the first time not more than three years ago (for master’s) and not more than six years ago (for doctoral).
- New applicants who have passed their research proposal by 31 January 2025.
- Students in coursework master’s who have passed two coursework modules in their registered qualification.
Who Cannot Apply?
- First-year master’s and doctoral students.
- UNISA permanent staff members.
- Students registered for special study programmes or non-degree purpose programmes.
- Students who already hold a postgraduate degree at the same or a higher NQF level than the one registered for.
What the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary Covers
The UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary will provide financial support for eligible students in the following manner:
- Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Students
- The bursary covers tuition fees only. It does not cover accommodation, textbooks, laptops, or additional study materials.
- The bursary will fund students for two consecutive years, subject to re-application and approval.
- Master’s and Doctoral Students
- The bursary covers tuition fees and research essentials.
- Research allowance limits:
- Master’s by Research: R55,000 over the first three years.
- Master’s by Coursework: R25,000 over the first three years.
- Doctoral by Research: R80,000 over the first four years.
- Doctoral by Experimental Research: R120,000 over the first four years.
- Funding is not provided for additional years beyond the prescribed period.
Application Process for the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary
All applications for the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary must be submitted online through the UNISA student portal. No hard copy, email, or hand-delivered applications will be considered. Additionally, late or incomplete applications will not be entertained.
Applicants must ensure that they:
- Are temporarily registered by 31 January 2024 to activate registration once the application is successful.
- Reapply for the bursary each academic year if they are returning beneficiaries.
- Ensure that their supervisors support their applications on the M&D activities platform.
Application Outcome and Appeals for the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary
The outcome of the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary application will be communicated to the student’s mylife email account. Unsuccessful students are advised to deregister before the cancellation closing date if they cannot find alternative funding.
Master’s and Doctoral students may appeal between 1 May and 7 May if their application is rejected due to contradictions in their status. Appeals must be supported by their supervisor.
Refund and Allowance Processing for 2024 Approved Students
For students who were approved and awarded the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary in 2024, the processing of refunds and allowances is still in progress. Students must ensure that all required documents have been submitted, and note that no refunds or allowances will be processed until the bursary contracts are submitted, received, and processed.
Related: Unisa Student App Download: Simplify Your Studies
For More Information
For more information on the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary, please visit the following links:
For further assistance, you can reach out to the bursary office via email at:
- Email: DSF-POSTGRD@unisa.ac.za
Important Notices and Q&A Sessions
UNISA has scheduled Q&A sessions to provide clarity on the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary application process, awarding, and refund procedures. These sessions will be conducted via Microsoft Teams, and all interested applicants are encouraged to participate.
- Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary Q&A Session
- Date: Wednesday, 9 October 2024
- Time: 10:00 am (CAT)
- Link: 2025 Honours Bursaries Q&A Session
- Master’s and Doctoral Bursary Q&A Session
- Date: Friday, 11 October 2024
- Time: 10:00 am (CAT)
- Link: 2025 Masters & Doctoral Bursaries Q&A Session
If you are a postgraduate student at UNISA, do not miss this opportunity to secure funding for your studies. Remember, success is not just about academic achievement but also about utilizing resources available to you. Apply for the UNISA 2025 Postgraduate Bursary today and take one step closer to achieving your academic and career aspirations!