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• Applications & requirements

• Applications & requirements
• Bursaries & scholarships
• Postgraduate student association
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• About the office
• Contact us

Postgraduate degree funding

Applications & requirements

Application forms

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.

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 Undergraduate 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.

With the exception of a small number of prestigious and full-cost fellowships, all UCT Scholarships are supplementary. Students who apply must have the means to fund their studies. 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.

Tenures of scholarship and bursary assistance

All fellowships, scholarships and bursaries are subject to the following tenure:

• strictly 1 year (honours)
• 2 years (master's) the second year of funding is subject to satisfactory progress and continued evidence of need in the case of need-based bursaries.
• 3 years (PhD) the second and third years of funding are 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 Renewal of all awards 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.

International and Refugee Students

A limited number of awards are available to International and Refugee students. As there is only one call for applications each year, it is important that the application procedure is strictly adhered to.

Application forms for study in 2013

Form 10A (PGA 1): Application for Financial Assistance for Postgraduate (Honours, Masters & Doctoral) Students in 2013
Application deadline: 31 October 2012

Form 10A (PGA 1): Application for Financial Assistance for Postgraduate (Honours, Masters & Doctoral) Students in 2014
Application deadline: 31 October 2013

Form 10C: 2014 International/Refugee Scholarships for Postgraduate (Honours, Masters & Doctoral) Students.
Application deadline: 31 July 2013