UNISA Postgraduate Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications open Closes 30 November 2026
Provider: UNISA
Study level: Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

UNISA has confirmed that applications for the 2027 postgraduate bursaries open on 21 September 2026 and close on 30 November 2026.

Reviewed & verified by Thabo MokoenaSenior Education EditorVerified

The University of South Africa (UNISA), the country’s largest distance university, funds its own postgraduate students through bursaries administered by its Directorate: Student Funding. There is one bursary for postgraduate diplomas and Honours degrees and another for Master’s and doctoral degrees, alongside sector bursaries that UNISA administers for SETAs, the Department of Transport and the Hillensberg Trust.

About the UNISA Postgraduate Bursaries

Postgraduate diploma and Honours bursary: pays tuition for the registered modules of a postgraduate diploma or Honours degree.
Master’s and doctoral bursary: pays tuition for the research year and may include a research allowance, to support students in producing quality research outputs.
Administered bursaries: SETA bursaries for specific sectors, the Department of Transport bursary for transport-related qualifications, and the Hillensberg Trust bursary, each with its own criteria.

UNISA Postgraduate Bursary eligibility requirements

Accepted for, or registered in, a postgraduate qualification at UNISA for 2027.
The minimum average for the level: 60% for postgraduate diplomas and Honours, and the faculty’s admission average for Master’s and doctoral study.
Financial need, assessed on household income declared in the application.
South African citizens are prioritised; permanent residents may apply for some bursaries.
At least temporary registration for 2027 by 31 January 2027, so that a successful award can be activated.

How to apply for the UNISA Postgraduate Bursary

Apply for admission to your postgraduate qualification through the UNISA application portal; the 2027 admission window closes on 9 October 2026 for most qualifications.
Between 21 September and 30 November 2026, log in to myUnisa and open the postgraduate bursary application link.
Complete the online form and upload: a certified ID; your full academic record; proof of admission to the qualification; proof of household income; and, for Master’s and doctoral applicants, your research proposal or progress report.
Submit before 30 November 2026. No emailed, posted, hand-delivered, late or incomplete applications are considered.
Register, at least temporarily, by 31 January 2027.

UNISA Postgraduate Bursary closing date

The 2027 window runs from 21 September 2026 to 30 November 2026.

Contact details

UNISA student funding pages: unisa.ac.za postgraduate bursaries
Directorate: Student Funding: postgradbursaries@unisa.ac.za
UNISA contact centre: 080 000 1870

UNISA postgraduates should also apply to the NRF and to the funders on our postgraduate bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the UNISA postgraduate bursary close for 2027? +

The application window for the 2027 academic year runs from 21 September 2026 to 30 November 2026. Only online applications through the myUnisa bursary link are accepted; no emailed, posted, hand-delivered or late applications are considered.

2. Which bursaries are there? +

Two UNISA-funded bursaries: one for postgraduate diplomas and Honours, and one for Master's and doctoral degrees. UNISA also administers SETA, Department of Transport and Hillensberg Trust bursaries for specific fields.

3. Who qualifies? +

UNISA students who are accepted for, or registered in, a postgraduate qualification, with the minimum average for their level (60% for postgraduate diplomas and Honours; the faculty's requirement for Master's and doctoral), who meet UNISA's financial need criteria. South African citizens are prioritised.

4. What does it cover? +

Tuition for the registered modules or research year, and in some cases a research allowance for Master's and doctoral students.

5. Do I need to be registered? +

You must be at least temporarily registered for 2027 by 31 January 2027 for a successful bursary to be activated.

6. Who do I contact? +

UNISA student funding through the myUnisa portal, or the Directorate: Student Funding at postgradbursaries@unisa.ac.za.

Update note (checked September 2026): UNISA has confirmed that applications for the 2027 postgraduate bursaries open on 21 September 2026 and close on 30 November 2026. Applications are accepted only through the myUnisa bursary link.

About UNISA

Public university (open distance learning)

UNISA calls itself Africa's mega university, and the label fits: the University of South Africa teaches through open distance learning rather than a single residential campus, and students across South Africa and beyond study with UNISA while working.…

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Website: unisa.ac.za