CUT Postgraduate Studies

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) offers advanced diplomas, postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees, structured master's degrees, and research master's and doctoral degrees. Research applicants must agree on a project with the department before applying online. Here is how postgraduate study at CUT works, based on its official pages.

Closing dates

For 2027, applications for advanced diplomas, honours and structured master's degrees closed on 30 September 2026. CUT's application process page gives 30 March 2027 for research master's and doctoral degrees, and new master's and doctoral students may enrol each year until the end of March. Another CUT page lists the end of February for research degrees, so confirm the date with your faculty. CUT does not accept late or walk-in applications.

How to apply for a research degree

1. Speak to the head of department, or the Assistant Dean for Research, Innovation and Engagement, about your research project.
2. Agree on a project and a supervisor.
3. Apply online and upload complete, certified documents.

Applications with missing, uncertified or incorrect documents go into a correction queue, which delays them.

Admission requirements: an example

In the Faculty of Management Sciences, a master's needs an average of 60% at honours or BTech level and at least 60% in Research Methodology. A doctorate needs an average of 65% at master's level.

Fees in 2026

CUT estimates master's and doctoral fees at about R33,070 a year for South African and SADC students, within a range of R33,060 to R40,000. International students pay about R49,610, within a range of R49,590 to R60,010. These are estimates for a standard full-time load, and actual costs depend on the programme.

Funding

NSFAS does not fund postgraduate programmes at CUT. CUT's fees and funding page points to the National Research Foundation as the main national funder for master's and doctoral students. It also lists:

• The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship: for honours and master's study, excluding the MBA, covering tuition, accommodation and allowances
• The Rhodes Scholarship: for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford

Support

CUT's Graduate School, part of Research and Development, supports postgraduate students during their studies. CUT also offers some fully online qualifications through its online learning platform.

Tips

Start talking to a department early in the year before you plan to study, especially if you want NRF funding, because NRF deadlines fall months before CUT's research closing date. Make sure every document is certified and correct before you upload it.

Related pages

See CUT fees, CUT bursaries and how to apply to CUT.