If you're planning on doing a postgraduate degree, you may be wondering what options there are for funding for you. In this article, we will outline some of the options for you.
1. NSFAS
There are some options for funding for postgrad studies but it is limited to certain courses. These courses are:
- B Tech – Architecture/Architectural Technology
- B Tech – Biokinetics/Biomedical Technology/Biotechnology
- B Tech: Chiropractic
- B Tech: Clinical Technology/Dental Technology
- B Tech: Emergency Medical Care
- B Tech: Engineering (Chemical/Civil/Electrical/Industrial/Mechanical/Mechatronics/Metallurgy/Refractories)
- B Tech: Forestry
- B Tech: Homeopathy
- B Tech: Nursing/Nursing Science/Community Nursing/Primary Healthcare/Occupational Nursing)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
- Bachelor of Laws/LLB
Most honours, masters and PhD degrees are not funded by NSFAS. If the postgrad you are intending on doing is not mentioned above there are other options for you.
2. NRF
The NRF is the National Research Foundation that funds undergrad and postgrad studies. NRF funds honours, masters and doctorate students. NRF funds students in the fields of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities. For more information about the funding options of NRF, you can visit their website.
3. Fundi
Fundi does fund post graduate studies, executive education programmes and MBAs. To find out more about the requirements of a Fundi loan, you can read here.
4. Funza Lushaka Bursary
PGCE (Postgraduate Certification in Education) students can apply for a bursary from Funza Lushaka. For information about the applications and requirements, you can read here.
5. Ikusasa (ISFAP)
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme is another alternative for post-graduate funding for students. To read about ISFAP you can read our article.
6. Bank loans
Lastly, if you are not able to apply for any of the other funding options mentioned above, another option is to receive a student loan from your bank. This may be difficult to manage or pay back but is a viable funding option. For advice as to how to manage a student loan and repayments, you can read here.
In this article we have outlined some of the options for funding for post-graduate studies but there are other options if none of these work for you. You can find more information on all of these options by searching articles here on the Bursaries Portal, or alternatively on the Careers Portal.