University of South Africa (UNISA) Master’s and Doctoral Postgraduate Bursary for the 2026

Omran Aburayya
6 days ago
6 min read

If you are a postgraduate-level student looking to further your research or coursework at a respected institution, good news: applications are now open for the University of South Africa (UNISA) Master’s and Doctoral Postgraduate Bursary for the 2026 academic year. Below you will find a full overview of this excellent funding opportunity — including a summary of the key details, benefits, eligibility criteria, application process and important tips.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Location: Pretoria (South Africa) / distance-learning mode via UNISA.
Host Institution: University of South Africa (UNISA).
Study Level: Master’s and Doctoral (NQF Level 9 & 10) research or coursework + research.
Target Group: Returning master’s and doctoral students (i.e., those already registered for a master’s or doctoral qualification) and new applicants who meet the criteria (South African and international students) via UNISA.
Fields of Study: Any master’s or doctoral research or coursework‐plus‐research qualification offered by UNISA, subject to restrictions (e.g., not special certificate programmes).
Value & Coverage:
- Master’s by research: research allowance up to R55 000 over the first three consecutive years.
- Master’s by coursework: research allowance up to R25 000 over the first three years.
- Doctoral by research: up to R80 000 over the first four years.
- Doctoral by experimental research: up to R120 000 over the first four years.
- Covers tuition fees and research essentials (for approved students) as per guidelines.
Duration:
- Master’s: up to three consecutive years (first three years post-registration) for research or coursework version.
- Doctoral: up to four consecutive years for research or experimental research.
Application Deadline: For 2026 academic year: 15 October 2025 to 19 December 2025.
Start Date: For successful applicants, registration must be activated and temporary registration must be in place by 31 January 2026.

📚 Scholarship Overview

The UNISA Master’s and Doctoral Postgraduate Bursary programme is designed to assist returning and new postgraduate (master’s and doctoral) students at UNISA with their research activities and tuition fees, enabling them to register for and complete their degrees.

For returning beneficiaries (i.e., students previously funded by the bursary), re-application is required each academic year registered for the same previously funded qualification, subject to the bursary guidelines and availability of funds.

The structure of the award is primarily: tuition fee support plus a research allowance. That research allowance can be used for “research essentials” (which may include items such as data collection, software, travel, printing, or in some cases laptop allowance) provided the student meets the requirements (such as ethics clearance) and the funds are available.

Because the bursary supports registration, continuation, and completion of postgraduate study, applicants must be already registered (or temporarily registered) by the registration deadline, and adhere to the milestones such as research proposal submission, chapter drafts, etc. For example, the guidelines specify that students whose qualifications are a number of years old have to have submitted minimum chapter drafts to their supervisors.

✅ Benefits

Tuition fees covered (for the qualification in question) — the bursary addresses fees and research‐related expenses.
Research allowance provided (as per the amounts listed above) for research essentials, experimental research, etc.
For doctoral students by experimental research, comfortable allowance of up to R120 000 over the first four years.
International applicants are eligible (though priority given to South African citizens).
Enables students to focus on completion of their research, rather than purely funding worries — particularly relevant for returning postgraduates who already have advanced in their degree.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Master’s returning students whose first registration was not more than three years before the bursary application year (for 2026: those who registered first in 2023-2025).
Doctoral returning students whose first registration was not more than six years before (for 2026: those registered first in 2020-2025).
New applicants (never been funded by the UNISA PG bursary) at master’s or doctoral level who meet criteria such as:
- For master’s research: have passed their research proposal by 31 January 2026 (submitted earlier by November 2025).
- For master’s by coursework: passed two coursework modules in the registered qualification (by 31 January 2026) except for those with outstanding 2025 results.
International students are eligible (subject to priority and availability of funds).
Students must apply online via myUnisa link app; no hard-copy, email or hand-delivered applications will be considered.

❌ Who cannot apply:

UNISA permanent staff members.
First-year master’s and doctoral students (i.e., those in their first registration year) are not eligible.
Students registered for special study programmes (e.g., certificates) or non-degree purpose programmes.
Students who already hold a postgraduate degree (from UNISA or any other institution) at the same or higher NQF level as the current qualification.
Students whose thesis/dissertation research component has already been submitted for examination.

✨ Additional Conditions & Notes:

Temporary registration by 31 January 2026 is mandatory; students not registered when award is activated will not be funded.
Additional coursework modules (after award has been allocated) will not be funded.
Students must ensure their supervisor supports their bursary application on the M&D activities platform by 31 January 2026, and that their M&D activities (e.g., submitted chapter drafts) are recorded by 19 December 2025.
Students whose registration first year (for eligibility calculation) is older (3+ years for master’s; 2+ years etc) must meet additional progress requirements: e.g., minimum number of chapter submissions.
There is an 80/20 ratio preference: 80% of awards go to South African citizens, 20% to international students.
The bursary will not fund additional years beyond the prescribed duration.
It will not cover historic debt or failed/repeating modules (in the case of master’s by coursework).

📝 Application Procedure

Application period: Apply online via myUnisa link from 15 October 2025 to 19 December 2025.
Use the myUnisa portal — no hard copy, email or hand‐delivered applications accepted.
Ensure temporary registration by 31 January 2026 for successful applicants.
Ensure your supervisor records/s upports your application on the “M&D activities” platform by 31 January 2026, and that your research progress (chapter drafts, proposal submission) has been recorded by 19 December 2025.
Required documents for awarded students:
- South African students: certified ID copy (not older than 6 months) + proof of payment/receipt if you paid your registration yourself. If registration fees were paid by a third party, additional documentation (loan agreement or payment proof etc) is needed.
- International students: certified passport copy, bank account confirmation letter in your name (for refunds), proof of payment. If you have a foreign bank account, you must complete the international bank Claim/Refund form.
- All awarded students must sign the bursary contract and return it by the designated deadline.
Appeals process: Students may appeal between 1 May-7 May (for the relevant year) if rejection was for reasons that can be contested (supported by supervisor). Some categories of students (e.g., fully funded full term, insufficient funds, not eligible) cannot appeal.
Keep your myLife email account active and monitor communications from UNISA regarding your award outcome and refund process. Outcome will be communicated via your myLife email.

🚀 Extra Tips & Useful Information

Though the bursary covers tuition fees and research allowance, it does not guarantee award to all eligible applicants — the availability of funds is subject to UNISA’s budget and academic performance.
If you’re a new applicant, ensure your research proposal is approved (or coursework modules passed, for coursework track) by the specified date. That is a key eligibility gateway.
For doctoral candidates by experimental research: the higher allowance (R120 000) underscores the value placed on more resource-intensive research. If your topic has high costs (fieldwork, experiments), highlight that clearly in your application.
For returning students: showing progress (chapters submitted, supervisor support, ethics clearance) is critical. Applicants who are behind schedule may be deprioritised.
Keep copies/receipts of all payments you make for registration. These may be required later for refunds when the bursary covers fees you have already paid.
Note the ratio preference for South African citizens — international applicants are eligible but face higher competition (20% quota). If you are an international applicant, emphasise exceptional academic performance.
Double‐check your registration status: your registration must be activated by 31 January 2026; otherwise funding may be withdrawn.
Investigate whether your specific funding track requires ethics certificate by 31 January each academic year (as noted in the guidelines). For many research‐based bursaries, ethics clearance is a critical milestone.