Humanities is an academic discipline that studies aspects of human society and culture. It encompass the full range of human thought and creativity, including languages, religion, philosophy, and the broad spectrum of the arts (including the performing arts and visual arts).
Humanities is the study of ancient empires, languages, poetry, liberal arts, literature, culture, human values, and more, both in modern and ancient times. It is the discipline of studying humans and society from a critical perspective, majoring in subjects such as English, History, and Philosophy.
The study of humanities is vital to society as this research allows us to gain knowledge about our world and experience the values of different cultures, how art is made, and how history is made.
Here are bursaries/funding sources for the Humanities sector:
Alan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship Foundation
Applications for the bursary open annually to Matric students (first year studies are also welcome to apply) for undergraduate degree studies within these fields:
- Arts
- Commerce
- Engineering
- Health Science (excluding Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science)
- Humanities
- Law
- Science
Students with a total annual household income of R1 million and less will receive full funding, and students with a total annual household income of more than R1 million will receive needs-based funding.
Students also receive support for personal development (mentorship, industry mentor and like-minded communities); access to entrepreneurial mindset development (workshops, speakers and seminars, access to business incubation and experiential exercises).
UCT Uyinene Mrwetyana Scholarship for Women in Humanities
The University of Cape Town is inviting female students who are interested in pursuing a degree within the Universities Humanities Faculty, to apply for the Uyinene Mrwetyana Scholarship.
Students will be funded for the entire duration of their undergraduate degree studies (i.e. 3 to 4 years), on condition that they maintain a minimum overall average of 65% every year.
Recipients of the scholarship award will be required to partake in the works of the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation – this will include volunteering at an organization that aims to reduce gender-based violence in the community.
Stellenbosch University and Gerda Henkel Foundation
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University, partnered with the Gerda Henkel Foundation, is inviting students to apply for the Lisa Maskell / PANGeA Scholarships.
The scholarship will be awarded for full-time PhD studies at Stellenbosch University, for research projects in these Historical Humanities fields:
- Archaeology
- Historical Islamic Studies
- History
- History of Art
- History of Law
- History of Science
- Prehistory and Early History
The Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarship Programme
The Canon Collins Trust, partnered with the Sol Plaatje Educational Project, invites students to apply for the Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarship.
Scholarships will be awarded to exceptional students, to pursue Postgraduate (Masters and PhD) studies, in these areas:
- Education: Policy and Practice
- Humanities (including Arts, Anthropology, History and Literature)
- Justice (including Economics, Climate Justice, Law and Politics)
Masters students will receive funding for up to 2 years and PhD students will receive funding for up to 3 years. Funding will be renewed based on satisfactory academic performance.
Northern Cape Provincial Government Bursary
The Northern Cape Provincial Government, Office of the Premier, is inviting students from the Northern Cape, to apply for bursary funding.
Bursaries will be awarded for studies within these fields:
- Arts & Culture
- Commerce
- Data Science (BSc)
- Developmental Studies
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Human Settlements
- Information Technology / Information Systems (BSc or BCom)
- International Relations
- Local Government
- Marine Economy
- Mining, Minerals and Energy
- Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Rural Development
- Social Work
- Tourism
- Town and Regional Planning
- Transport Economics
- Transport Engineering
Social Science is the discipline that studies society and how people interact with one another, develop as a culture, behave, and influence each other.
The social sciences are important because they help people understand how to analyze not only their own behavior but also the behavior and motivations of their peers. The social sciences also give us a better understanding of how to create more inclusive and effective institutions.
If you're considering entering a career in Social Sciences, here are a few bursaries:
Absa Fellowship/Scholarship Programme
The Absa Fellowship Programme is so much more than a regular scholarship or bursary programme. It is a leadership development programme, that provides candidates with financial support towards their studies, as well as the chance to participate in a specially curated leadership development programme created by Absa.
The programme is open to learners from selected African countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles), for undergraduate degree studies in some of the following fields:
- Social Dynamics
- Social Work
- Creative Arts
- Digital Arts
- Visual Arts
- Education
- Languages
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Statistics
- Agriculture
Harmony Bursary
Harmony was founded in 1950 as a gold mining and exploration organisation in South Africa. Today, Harmony is one of the largest gold mining companies across the globe, with mines operating in both South Africa and Papua New Guinea.
Bursaries will be awarded to top-performing students, for studies within core- and non-core mining disciplines, including the following fields:
Core mining disciplines:
- Extractive Metallurgy
- Geology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Rock Engineering
- Survey
Non-core mining disciplines:
- Social Sciences
- Accounting
- Finance
- Health Sciences
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
Brand South Africa Bursary
Brand South Africa, established in 2002, is an organisation that aims to build South Africa’s reputation and contribute to the country’s global competitiveness.
Bursaries will be awarded for studies within the following fields:
- Social or Political Science (BCom) (Department: Research)
- Accounting Science (BCom) (Department: Finance)
- Computer Science (BSc) (Department: Information Technology)
- Human Resources (BCom) (Department: Human Resources)
- Law (BCom) (Department: Legal)
- Marketing (BCom) (Department: Marketing)
- Multimedia (BIS) (Department: Marketing)
- Public or International Relations (BCom) (Department: Stakeholder Relations)
- Supply Chain (BCom) (Department: Finance)
Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Bursary
The Emfuleni Local Municipality is one of 3 Local Municipalities within the Sedibeng District Municipality, in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
Bursaries will be awarded to students residing within the Emfuleni municipal area, for studies within the following fields:
- Human and Social Sciences
- Law
- Commerce
- Science and Technology
- Technical Skills (example: Electrical, Civil Engineering/ Chemcial Engineering etc)
- Any other scarce and critical skills as informed by the ELM needs
Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Bursary
The Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) of the Eastern Cape, is part of the provincial government who aim to develop and grow the economy within the province.
Bursaries will be awarded to students within some of the following fields of study:
- Applied Social Sciences
- Communication
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Psychology
- Public Administration and Management
Make sure to check out the eligibility requirements of each of these bursaries you apply for.
