Bursary Provider: University of South Africa (UNISA)
Bursary Programme: Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary
Academic Year: 2027
Fields of Study: Postgraduate Diplomas and Honours qualifications
Study Institution: University of South Africa (UNISA)
Funding: Tuition fees only
Application Period: 21 September 2026 – 30 November 2026
Application Method: Online via myUnisa
About the UNISA Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary
The University of South Africa (UNISA) invites qualifying South African students to apply for the 2027 Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary.
The bursary aims to assist eligible UNISA alumni and postgraduate students with their tuition fees, helping them register for and complete their postgraduate qualifications.
Financial support is available to qualifying Postgraduate Diploma and Honours students, subject to academic performance, eligibility requirements and the availability of funds.
What Does the Bursary Cover?
The UNISA Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary covers:
Tuition fees only.
Important: The bursary does not cover:
Accommodation.
Laptops.
Textbooks.
Additional study materials.
Failed or repeating modules.
Outstanding historical student debt.
Funding is available for up to two consecutive years, subject to an approved reapplication for the second year. Students must apply again for each academic year.
Who Can Apply?
The bursary is available to South African citizens who meet the requirements for one of the following applicant categories.
1. Returning Bursary Beneficiaries
Students who have previously received funding through the UNISA Postgraduate Bursary may apply if they:
Are registered for an NQF Level 8 Postgraduate Diploma or Honours qualification at UNISA.
Are South African citizens.
Have passed their previously funded and registered modules.
Have achieved an average of at least 50% in those modules.
2. New Bursary Applicants – Undergraduate Alumni
Students who have never received a UNISA Postgraduate Bursary may qualify if they:
Are South African citizens.
Are UNISA NQF Level 7 undergraduate alumni with a degree or Advanced Diploma.
Have completed their degree or Advanced Diploma by 31 January 2027.
Have achieved an average of at least 60% across their entire undergraduate qualification.
The average calculation includes supplementary and failed module results.
3. New Bursary Applicants – Second-Year Postgraduate Students
Students who have never received the UNISA Postgraduate Bursary may also qualify if they:
Are South African citizens.
Are in their second year of an NQF Level 8 Postgraduate Diploma or Honours qualification.
Have passed at least three postgraduate modules in the same previously registered qualification.
Have achieved an average of at least 60% in those modules.
UNISA temporary and fixed-term contract employees who meet the above requirements may also apply.
Who Cannot Apply?
The following applicants are not eligible:
UNISA permanent staff members.
International students who are not South African citizens.
Students registered for the following Graduate School of Business Leadership qualifications:
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management.
Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management.
Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management.
Students who only completed non-degree purpose modules without another recently completed NQF Level 7 degree or Advanced Diploma.
Students who only hold a BTech qualification without another recently completed NQF Level 7 degree or Advanced Diploma.
Students registered for special study programmes, including certificates such as PGCE, BTech or non-degree purpose programmes.
Students who have already completed a postgraduate qualification at NQF Level 8 to 10 at UNISA or another higher education institution.
Important Application Conditions
Applicants should take note of the following conditions:
Applications must be submitted online through the myUnisa application link.
No email, hand-delivered or hard-copy applications will be accepted.
Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Students must be temporarily registered by 31 January 2027 so that registration can be activated if the application is successful.
Students who are not registered during the awarding process will not receive funding.
No additional modules will be funded after the bursary has been awarded and registration activated.
Returning beneficiaries must reapply every academic year.
Bursary awards are subject to available funding; meeting the requirements does not guarantee an award.
How to Apply
Interested and qualifying students must apply online through the official UNISA Postgraduate Bursaries page.
Application steps:
Visit the official UNISA Postgraduate Bursaries website.
Open the Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary section.
Read the 2027 bursary guidelines, terms and conditions carefully.
Select the official online application link.
Follow the instructions in the myUnisa application platform.
Submit your application before the closing date.
Closing Date
The closing date for the UNISA Postgraduate Diploma and Honours Bursary 2027 is 30 November 2026.
Applications opened on 21 September 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
How Will Applicants Receive Their Results?
UNISA states that bursary application outcomes will be communicated through students’ official myLife email accounts.
Applicants should regularly check their myLife email for updates and further instructions.
Enquiries
For postgraduate bursary application and process enquiries:
Email: CGS-PGB@unisa.ac.za
For more information, visit the official UNISA website: https://www.unisa.ac.za/
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