University of Pretoria Postgraduate Bursaries and Merit Awards
About this scholarship
The University of Pretoria (UP), a leading South African research university, offers postgraduate merit bursaries and awards through its Postgraduate Support Office to support honours, master’s, and doctoral students. These merit-based awards are applied to tuition and recognise strong academic performance, with international students also signposted to major international schemes.
The award is partial funding: merit-based postgraduate bursaries (Merit Plus, Merit, and Merit Equity tiers) are applied to the student account toward tuition, with value varying by award, and doctoral research scholarships are available for strategic research areas. International students are additionally directed to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Commonwealth scholarships, and the NRF Africa Scholarship. The award is made once per programme, for the relevant study period.
Eligibility is for students registering for the first year of an honours, master’s, or doctoral degree at UP, with strong previous academic performance (around a 60 percent average or higher in the relevant majors); postgraduate diplomas, certificates, and the fourth year of a bachelor’s are not eligible, and the bursary applies to tuition only. You apply for admission to a UP postgraduate programme, apply for funding at the same time through the Postgraduate Support Office, identify a supervisor early for research study, and also apply to linked international schemes where eligible. For postgraduates aiming at South Africa, UP offers solid merit support.
Eligibility
- Registering for the first year of an honours, master's, or doctoral degree at UP.
- Strong previous academic performance (around a 60 percent average or higher in the relevant majors).
- Postgraduate diplomas, certificates, and the fourth year of a bachelor's degree are not eligible.
- The bursary applies to tuition only (not accommodation, international registration fees, clubs, or parking).
- International postgraduates should also pursue linked international routes.
Benefits & Coverage
- Merit bursary applied toward tuition on the student account.
- Doctoral research scholarships in priority research areas.
- Access to a leading South African research university.
- Signposting to international funding such as Mastercard, Commonwealth, and NRF Africa.
Required Documents
- Application for admission to a UP postgraduate programme.
- Funding application through the Postgraduate Support Office.
- Academic transcripts and proof of previous degrees.
- A signed acceptance or agreement form for the bursary.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to a UP honours, master's, or doctoral programme.
- Apply for funding at the same time through the Postgraduate Support Office, identifying a supervisor early for master's or doctoral study.
- Also apply to linked international schemes (Mastercard, Commonwealth, NRF Africa) where eligible (confirm the current calls).
Frequently asked questions
Is this scholarship fully funded? +
This scholarship is listed as partial funding. The listed award is: Merit bursary applied to tuition (value varies); Doctoral research scholarships in priority areas.. Coverage can change between cycles, so confirm the details on the official page.
What degree levels does this scholarship cover? +
This scholarship is listed for: Honours, Master's & PhD.
When is the application deadline? +
The application deadline listed here is August 31, 2026. Deadlines move, so always verify the date on the official page before planning your application.
Who can apply? +
Key eligibility points from this listing: Registering for the first year of an honours, master's, or doctoral degree at UP; Strong previous academic performance (around a 60 percent average or higher in the relevant majors); Postgraduate diplomas, certificates, and the fourth year of a bachelor's degree are not eligible… See the Eligibility section above for the full requirements.
How do I apply? +
Apply directly through the official portal linked on this page. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, so treat any request for payment as a scam and use official channels only.
Answers are based on this scholarship's listed details. Always confirm on the official page.
