Dear NWU student

Following Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka's announcement on 18 August at the launch of the NWU's annual Research and Innovation Week to assist postgraduate students, the criteria and conditions have now been finalised, and qualifying students may apply for the full cost bursary.

Eligibility criteria

• Household income less than R600 000 per annum
• Candidates with a result ≥ 70% for their most recent degree may apply for the bursary. For applicants who do not meet this requirement, a faculty motivation must be submitted along with the other supporting documents.
• Applicants must qualify for faculty and programme-specific admission requirements.
• Preference will be given to students studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) -fields, with 65% of allocations to STEM and 35% to non-STEM study fields.
• Applicants must undertake to register for full-time study - bursaries will not be awarded to part-time students.
• Programmes presented in the Business School are excluded (e.g. MBA, PhD).
• Other NWU bursaries will be deducted from the NWU allocation (no double-funding).
• Applicants may not hold other full cost bursaries.
• SADC and permanent RSA residents (subject to submission of SAQA certificate)

Bursary conditions

• Continued funding is subject to adherence to milestones set by faculties and evaluated every six months.
• Living-related allowances will be paid monthly.
• A publication in a peer-reviewed book or journal - or evidence of preparation towards submission of such publication journal, is a requirement.
• 20 hours of student assistantship per month is a requirement.

Interim application process

All students who are interested in applying for the Full Cost Master's and PhD Bursary can send an email to finance@nwu.ac.za with the subject line: FULL COST M&D BURSARY 2026. Applicants must attach the following documents to the email:

• Academic transcripts of their most recent degree
• Proof of income

The closing date for applications is 31 January 2026.

Kind regards

Elmarie de Beer
Executive Director: Finance and Facilities