Closing Date: 18 September 2026
Call for Applications: University of Pretoria 2027 UP Doctoral Research Bursary
The 2027 call for New Applications for the UP PhD Doctoral Research Bursary is now open.
About the Bursary
The University of Pretoria (UP), through the Graduate Support Hub (GSH) in the Department of Research and Innovation (DRI), offers the UP Doctoral Research Bursary to support academically deserving students pursuing full-time doctoral studies. The bursary aims to strengthen research excellence by supporting high-quality research aligned with the University’s and Faculties’ strategic research priorities.
The bursary is administered by the Postgraduate Scholarship Office (PGSO), which is responsible for the management of the application process, award administration, funding disbursement, and ongoing bursary management throughout the funding period.
- Bursary Summary
- Bursary Name UP Doctoral Research Bursary
- Academic Year 2027
- Study Level Doctoral (PhD)
- Study Mode Full-time
- Annual Value R135 000
- Duration Up to 3 years
- Application Method Online via the UP Portal
Faculty
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Veterinary Science
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Faculty of Theology and Religion
- Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Eligibility
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have applied for admission to a full-time doctoral study at UP.
- Have applied for academic admission to the University of Pretoria via the UP Online application Portal and have been allocated a student number for 2027.
- Be only full-time registered PhD students to take up a bursary award in a given year.
- Have identified UP potential supervisor who has agreed to supervise the research.
- Submit a supervisor confirmation letter on UP letterhead.
- Be within the first three years of doctoral study for the 2027 academic year.
- Demonstrate academic merit and research potential.2
- Undertake full-time study and complete their studies within the minimum period of three years.
- This bursary is awarded to candidates whose studies contribute to the strategic research areas of the faculty in which they are registered or to which they are applying.
- Provide proof that they have applied for other external funding sources for the 2027 academic year.
- Work no more than 12 hours per week.
- Not hold a doctoral degree.
- Not qualify for the UP- Staff Waiver.
- Not be registered for a non-degree preparatory programme.
Application Process
Step Action
1 Apply for admission to a doctoral Studies at UP.
2 Receive your UP-student number.
3 Obtain confirmation letter from your proposed supervisor.
4 Prepare the required supporting documents.
5 Submit the online application via the UP Portal before the closing date.
5. Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must upload:
- Certified ID or Passport
- Supervisor confirmation letter
- Affidavit confirming full-time study (maximum 12 working hours per week)
- Proof of application for other external funding
Selection Process
Applications are considered through the following process:
- Online application submission
- Administrative screening by PGSO
- Faculty evaluation
- Dean’s recommendation
- Final approval
- Award notification
Conditions of Award
Successful applicants agree to the following conditions:
- The bursary is awarded for a maximum of three years, subject to annual renewal.
- Recipients are expected to complete their doctoral studies within four years.
- The bursary may be supplemented with approved external funding up to a combined maximum of R300 000 per annum.
- Recipients receiving other single funding source of R135 000 or more are not eligible for the UPDoctoral Research Bursary.
- Recipients may be required to provide academic service to the University for up to 12 hours per
week, such as tutoring or similar activities. - Final-year recipients completing within the first six months of the academic year may receive a prorated award. (whose UP tuition for the year is reserved by UP accounts, the award for such year shall be adjusted to 50% of the full value initially granted.)
- Provisional awardees who do not have outstanding debt on their UP-student account will have their financial registration block lifted in order to register for the new academic year without having to pay the initial first payment on registration.
- Extensions are granted only under exceptional circumstances and require written motivation supported by the Supervisor and Dean. (No agreement will be entered into with the student regarding the extension of the maximum period allowed for completion of the degree). In such a case, an appeal may be submitted along with supporting documentation to the Postgraduate Scholarship Manager: [email protected]
- Note, an approved extension to complete the PhD in a 44
