UCT Postgraduate Financial Aid and GAP Bursary

UCT Postgraduate Financial Aid Bursary offers financial support to South African citizens and permanent residents pursuing Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral degrees at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Funding varies, covering supplementary amounts or full contributions toward study costs for the 2027 academic year. Applications open annually via the Postgraduate Online Funding Application in the PeopleSoft Student Portal, with a strict deadline of November 10, 2026. Selection considers a mix of holistic criteria, not just academic merit, and requires prior UCT admissions for first-year applicants. Renewals are automatic for eligible students progressing through their degree stages, contingent on academic performance. Students are also encouraged to explore government-funded options like the National Research Foundation (NRF) or Medical Research Council (MRC) for additional support, though their deadlines differ from UCT’s.⁠​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌⁠

What it offers

• Flexible funding ranging from supplementary amounts to full cost contributions for Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral programs.
• No academic merit-only selection—holistic criteria apply.
• Automatic renewal for eligible students progressing through degree stages (e.g., 1st to 2nd year of a Master’s or Doctoral program).
• Encouragement to apply for government-funded programs (NRF/MRC) alongside UCT’s bursary.

Who can apply

• South African citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled or admitted to a UCT Honours, Master’s, or Doctoral program for 2027.
• First-year applicants must submit a UCT admissions application before applying for funding.
• Renewal students (e.g., progressing from 1st to 2nd year of a Master’s or Doctoral program) do not need to reapply, provided they meet academic progress criteria.

How to apply

1. Submit a UCT admissions application for 2027 (required for first-year applicants).
2. Apply via the Postgraduate Online Funding Application in the PeopleSoft Student Portal during the preceding year.
3. Deadline: November 10, 2026 (late or incomplete applications are not considered).

Good to know

• No formal documents are listed for this bursary, but applicants must confirm eligibility via UCT’s systems.
• Funding is contingent on academic progress for renewals.
• External government funding (e.g., NRF/MRC) may offer overlapping or additional support—students should explore these options independently.
• No specified language requirement beyond UCT’s program language demands.