UNISA has opened the 2026 Postgraduate Bursary application window for qualifying students. These bursaries are meant to support postgraduate students with tuition fees (and in some cases research essentials) so they can register and complete their qualifications.
The 2026 application period runs from 15 October 2025 to 19 December 2025, and applications are online only.
Key Dates You Must Know (2026)
Bursary Applications Open: 15 October 2025
Bursary Applications Close: 19 December 2025
Temporary Registration Deadline (for funding to activate): 31 January 2026
Important: If you are not temporarily registered by 31 January 2026, your bursary may not be activated, even if you qualify.
Important Rules (Read Carefully)
- Only online applications via the myUnisa link/app will be considered.
- No late, incomplete, emailed, posted, or hand-delivered applications will be accepted.
- Returning bursary beneficiaries must re-apply every year.
- Students must be registered during awarding (by 31 January 2026) or they may lose funding due to limited funds.
- Master’s and Doctoral applicants must ensure their supervisor supports the application on the M&D platform by 31 January 2026, and that 2025 M&D activities are recorded by 19 December 2025.
1) Master’s and Doctoral Bursary (M&D) – 2026
What the M&D Bursary Covers
This bursary supports tuition fees and research essentials, including research allowance limits:
- Master’s by research: up to R55 000 over 3 consecutive funded years
- Master’s by coursework: up to R25 000 over 3 consecutive funded years
- Doctoral by research: up to R80 000 over 4 consecutive funded years
- Doctoral experimental research: up to R120 000 over 4 consecutive funded years
Notes:
- No funding beyond the maximum years listed above.
- No funding for historic debt.
- No additional coursework modules after award activation.
- Priority funding ratio: 80% South African citizens / 20% international students.
Who Can Apply (M&D)
Returning students (previously funded)
- UNISA South African or international Master’s/Doctoral students continuing the same funded qualification.
New bursary applicants (never funded before)
- Master’s/Doctoral research students who have passed the research proposal by 31 January 2026 (proposal should have been submitted previously by November 2025).
- Master’s by coursework students who have passed at least 2 coursework modules in the same qualification by 31 January 2026 (except where 2025 results are outstanding).
Time limits for eligibility
- Master’s returning students: first registered not more than 3 years ago (for 2026: first registration between 2023–2025)
- Doctoral returning students: first registered not more than 6 years ago (for 2026: first registration between 2020–2025)
(Approved deferments may be considered.)
Research progress rules (important)
- If your qualification is 3+ years old, you may need at least 2 chapters submitted plus proposal phase passed.
- If 2 years old, you may need at least 1 chapter submitted plus proposal phase passed.
Who Cannot Apply (M&D)
- UNISA permanent staff
- First-year Master’s and Doctoral students
- Graduate School of Business Leadership students (MBA / MBL)
- Students registered for special study programmes (e.g., PGCE), certificates, or non-degree programmes
- Students who already hold a postgraduate degree at the same/higher NQF level than the current qualification
- Students who have submitted thesis/dissertation for examination
M&D Q&A Session (2026)
- Date: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
- Time: 10:00 (CAT)
- Platform: Microsoft Teams (Q&A session)
2) Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary – 2026
What this Bursary Covers
- Tuition fees only
- No laptop, accommodation, textbooks, or extra material allowances
- Funds students for two consecutive years, subject to approved re-application for year 2
- Does not fund failed/repeating modules
- Does not cover historic debt
Who Can Apply (PGDip/Honours)
Returning beneficiaries
- UNISA NQF 8 PGDip/Honours South African citizens who passed previously funded modules with 50% average.
New applicants (never funded)
- UNISA NQF 7 alumni who completed their degree/advanced diploma by 31 January 2026 with 60% average across the entire qualification (including failed/supplementary modules).
- UNISA NQF 8 PGDip/Honours second-year students who passed at least 3 postgraduate modules with 60% average in the same qualification by 31 January 2026.
(Temporary/fixed-term UNISA contract employees who meet criteria may apply.)
Who Cannot Apply (PGDip/Honours)
- UNISA permanent staff
- International students (non-SA citizens)
- Graduate School of Business Leadership students in specific PGD programmes (as listed in the notice)
- Students with only special study programmes (PGCE), BTech only, non-degree purpose modules without an NQF 7 qualification
- Students who already completed NQF 8–10 postgraduate qualifications at UNISA or elsewhere
Honours Bursaries Q&A Session (2026)
- Date: Monday, 16 October 2025
- Time: 10:00 (CAT)
- Platform: Microsoft Teams (Q&A session)
How to Apply (Online Only)
Applications must be submitted online via myUnisa link/app during the application period:
15 October 2025 – 19 December 2025
What Happens After You Apply?
- Outcomes are sent to your mylife email account only.
- If unsuccessful and you paid registration yourself, deregister before cancellation closing dates.
- Keep proof of payment if you paid fees yourself (you may need it for refund processing if later awarded).
Appeals
- M&D appeals window: 1 May – 7 May (supervisor supported)
- PGDip/Honours appeals window: 1 April – 7 April
The post UNISA Postgraduate Bursaries 2026 appeared first on StudentRoom.co.za.
