2026 Master’s Scholarship in Media Literacy at University of the Western Cape (UWC)

If you’re a passionate researcher eager to explore how young people engage with media in digital spaces — and if you hold a strong background in linguistics, communication, or media studies — your moment may have arrived. The (UWC) is now accepting applications for a two-year Master’s Fellowship in Media Literacy guided by its newly established Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity. This is an opportunity to contribute original research to a pressing area — the intersection of language, youth culture, and critical media engagement — while gaining support and mentorship within a leading African institution. The fellowship is set to begin in January or February 2026. Here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Cape Town, South Africa

• Host institution: UWC, under the Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity (Faculty of Arts & Humanities)

• Study level: Master’s (research)

• Target group: Early-career scholars / honours graduates in linguistics, media studies, communication, or related fields

• Fields of study: Media literacy, youthful language practices, multilingualism, code-switching, digital media, inclusion & diversity in media

• Value & coverage: Up to R 65,000 (South African Rands) over two years, intended to support tuition and approved research costs (fieldwork, data collection, conference participation)

• Duration: 2 years

• Application deadline: 14 November 2025, by 16:00 SAST

• Start date: January / February 2026

• Eligible to: Applicants who hold an honours degree (or equivalent) in linguistics, media, communication or related discipline, with a minimum average of 65%, and who can secure admission to a Master’s programme at UWC.

  
  

📚 Fellowship Overview

The fellowship is anchored in media literacy research, particularly exploring how youth in South Africa use language in digital media spaces. Key thematic lenses include:

• Multilingualism and code-switching

• Use of slang, nonstandard linguistic forms, hybrid language practices

• How these linguistic practices influence young people’s capacity for critical media engagement

• The role of language in shaping inclusivity in media literacy programmes

The successful fellow will undertake original research under the guidance of the Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity, co-led by Associate Professor Sisanda Nkoala and Professor Leo Van Audenhove. The Chair aims to anchor scholarship, public engagement, and community dialogue around media inclusion, diversity, and representation.

While the explicit curriculum or structured coursework isn’t deeply detailed in the public call, the fellowship will require full-time enrolment in a UWC Master’s programme in a relevant department (often within linguistics or media/communication) and conducting research aligned with the Chair’s themes.

During the two years, the fellow is expected to:

• Carry out fieldwork or data collection

• Attend conferences or workshops relevant to their research

• Present interim findings, likely at seminars or departmental colloquia

• Engage in community or public-facing activities aligned with media literacy and inclusion goals

💲 Fellowship Benefits

• Coverage (or partial support) for tuition fees

• Funding toward research-related expenses, such as data collection, fieldwork, travel, conference participation

• Mentorship and supervision under the UWC Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity

• Integration into a research environment committed to media inclusion, diversity, and public engagement 

• Publication and networking opportunities arising from this academic and institutional affiliation

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

1. Hold an Honours degree (or equivalent) in Linguistics, Media Studies, Communication, or a closely related discipline

2. Maintain an academic average of 65% or higher in their honours degree (or equivalent)

3. Demonstrate a strong interest in media inclusion, diversity, and critical media literacy

4. Be eligible and committed to enrol in a Master’s programme at UWC (Faculty of Arts & Humanities or relevant department)

5. Show an alignment between their proposed research topic and the Chair’s thematic areas (language, media, youth, linguistic practices)

6. Be willing to pursue full-time research and participate in academic and public engagement activities tied to the fellowship

📝 Application Procedure

Applicants should combine all materials into a single PDF and submit to snkoala@uwc.ac.za by 14 November 2025, at 16:00 SAST.

🗂️ Required components:

• Letter of Intent (1 page): Describe your motivation, research interests, and how they align with the Chair’s goals

• Academic CV (2–3 pages): Educational background, research experience, publications, awards

• Two Referees: Names and contact information (academic or professional)

• Academic Transcripts: Certified transcripts of all tertiary qualifications

• Optional: A copy of your honours research report or any prior academic output

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

⚠️ One caveat: funding is conditional on acceptance into the Master’s programme at UWC. Being awarded the fellowship doesn’t automatically guarantee enrolment; the candidate must satisfy UWC’s formal admission requirements.

ℹ️ Extra Notes & Tips

• The fellowship is reviewed on a rolling basis — early submission is encouraged. The call may close once a suitable candidate is selected.

• Previous Master’s Fellows have included students like Khanyisa Dumke, Anathi Gxavu, Carin Hector and others, working in topics such as influencer persuasion, multilingual media practices, representation in digital media, etc.

• This fellowship is uniquely positioned in South Africa’s multilingual, media-rich context, making it fertile ground for comparative and applied research with broader implications

• Because funding is modest (R 65,000 over two years), applicants may want to explore complementary funding sources (e.g. departmental support, external scholarships) to supplement research costs

• Make sure you check UWC’s general postgraduate admission deadlines and requirements for international or domestic students, language requirements, etc.

• Engage early with potential supervisors or faculty in UWC’s linguistics or media/communication departments to refine your research proposal