Key Facts
- Status
- Check Provider for Dates
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
-
2027
Eligibility Requirements
- Completed, or completing in 2026, a BSc degree
- Minimum 65% average
- Moving into Honours study in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics
- South African citizen/permanent resident, or citizen of an eligible partner African country
- Enrolled or enrolling at an accredited South African university
Documents Needed
- ID document (South African citizens) or passport/visa (permanent residents/eligible foreign nationals)
- Full academic transcript
- Updated CV
- Motivational letter
- Two reference letters, at least one from a university lecturer
About Sarao Postgraduate Scholarship
The SARAO Postgraduate Scholarship is SARAO's funding track for the Honours year - the first postgraduate qualification in the South African system, sitting between a bachelor's degree and a Master's. It is a distinct, lower-value award from SARAO's separate Freestanding Master's Scholarship (also listed on this site), and is aimed specifically at students about to start, or already completing, a BSc Honours year in an eligible field.
The scholarship funds one year of study, extended to two years for students accepted onto the NASSP Extended Honours in Astronomy programme, and is intended to build a pipeline of South African science and engineering graduates for the MeerKAT and Square Kilometre Array (SKA) programmes.
Selection is based on academic record, with a minimum average required in the qualifying bachelor's degree, and applicants must be studying one of a defined set of Honours fields at an accredited South African university.
Funding Details
A scholarship of R190,000 for the Honours year, plus an optional once-off R15,000 laptop grant. Students accepted onto the NASSP Extended Honours in Astronomy programme receive two years of funding instead of one.
Where You Can Study
Not tied to one specific university - open to Honours applicants at accredited South African universities offering Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics Honours, including universities in the NASSP (National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme) network.
About South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is a facility of South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF), responsible for managing all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in the country, including …
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
- Students who have completed, or are completing in 2026, a BSc degree, moving into Honours study in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics
- Minimum 65% average in the qualifying bachelor's degree
- South African citizens and permanent residents, plus citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, or Zambia
- Enrolling at an accredited South African university
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as SARAO's Masters Scholarship?
No. This is the entry-level postgraduate award, funding the Honours year specifically. The Master's Scholarship (listed separately on this site) is a separate, higher-value award for students who have already completed Honours and are moving into Master's research.
How much does it cover?
R190,000 for the Honours year, plus an optional R15,000 laptop grant.
Which subjects qualify?
Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics.
Can I get two years of funding?
Yes, if you're accepted onto NASSP's Extended Honours in Astronomy programme.
Who besides South Africans can apply?
Citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia, in addition to South African citizens and permanent residents.
When does the application window open?
SARAO typically opens the Honours Scholarship call around mid-year and closes it in August, though exact dates shift year to year - check SARAO's Honours Scholarships page for the current cycle before applying.
