Postgraduate degree funding
Introduction
Various categories of funding provide support towards the cost of study at UCT. For students who will register for Honours, Masters and Doctoral degrees. Students intending to register for Advanced or Postgraduate Diploma, the HDE, LLB or B Arch degrees are referred to the Undergraduate Funding Office.
It is important to note that the University is not able to provide full-cost funding to postgraduate students. Scholarships and bursaries awarded will contribute towards the cost of study and applicants are advised to secure additional support.
Criteria for funding eligibility
To qualify for postgraduate funding, intending postgraduate students must first formally apply for an academic place at UCT. Only students registering for Honours, Masters and Doctoral degrees are eligible.
Students who register for postgraduate diplomas and certificates, the BArch, the LLB, or for the 4th year of any Bachelors degree are not eligible for UCT's postgraduate awards, and are referred to the Student Financial Aid Office. Students who intend to study for a second degree at the same level as one they already hold, (e.g., a second Honours degree) are also not eligible for funding.
Terms and conditions of scholarships
All UCT International and Refugee Students' Scholarships are supplementary. Students who apply must have the means to fund their studies. The scholarships are renewable for the duration of the course of study, if satisfactory progress is maintained, for one year at honours level, two at master's level and three at doctoral level. Applicants must apply for admission through the UCT Admissions Office or the Faculty Office. Late applications are not accepted.
Part-time employment
The regulations governing the National Research Foundation (NRF), Medical Research Council (MRC) bursaries and UCT awards allows, but does not guarantee, some degree of concurrent part-time employment. Some departments may offer demonstratorships, teaching assistantships or research assistantships. The details can be obtained from the supervisor or head of department. Subject to limitations regarding remuneration, award-holders may undertake part-time employment, provided weekly duties do not exceed 12 hours in the case of NRF (SET - Science, Engineering and Technology), 12 hours NRF (SSH - Commerce, Humanities and Law), 9 hours (MRC), 12 hours (UCT Research Scholarship) or 9 hours (UCT Research Associateships).
Duration of scholarship and bursary assistance
Research Council bursaries and UCT awards may be held for:
- 1 year (honours)
- 2 years (master's) subject to satisfactory progress and continued evidence of need in the case of need-based bursaries.
- 3 years (PhD) subject to satisfactory progress and continued evidence of need in the case of need-based bursaries.
Candidates requiring financial assistance must make every effort to complete their studies within the specified time frames. Funding will not be available beyond the above-mentioned tenures.
Note: Students studying for a second degree at the same level (e.g. honours graduate doing a second honours degree) are ineligible for UCT funding.
Applications for continued assistance must be submitted annually by the relevant closing dates.
Application for admission to study and registration
Students applying for financial assistance who have not registered for the degree of their choice are reminded to do so, and should consult UCT's Admissions Office or relevant faculty office for the closing dates. The selection committees will only consider students whose full-time registration has been finalised.
Download the relevant application forms for 2010
National Research Foundation Postgraduate Conference Travel Grant Application- 2010
Contact us
Postgraduate Centre & Funding Office:
email us
View Policies on Funding for Postgraduate Students at UCT
Downloads
Financial Assistance for Postgraduate Study & Postdoctoral Research booklet (2010)
Funding your Postgraduate Studies at UCT (brochure)
