North-West University (NWU) offers postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees, master's degrees and doctorates on its Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses. One of its strongest features for postgraduate students is its bursary scheme: everyone admitted to postgraduate study is considered automatically. Here is how it works, based on NWU's official pages.
Closing dates
NWU's studies pages listed 30 November 2026 as the closing date for postgraduate applications for 2027. Many faculties set earlier dates, though. Theology closed its 2027 honours intake on 30 October 2026, and selection-based programmes and scholarships can close in August. Check your faculty's page before you apply.
How to apply
- Choose your programme and check its faculty closing date.
- For a master's or doctorate, contact the school about a study leader and research topic.
- Apply online through NWU's application system and upload your documents.
- Track your application and respond to any faculty requests.
The NWU Postgraduate Bursary Scheme
All students admitted for postgraduate studies are automatically considered for the NWU honours, master's and doctoral bursaries, with no separate application, except for the Full Cost Master's and PhD Bursary. In 2026, the scheme offered:
- Honours bursary: R26,140 for the first year of a full-time honours degree, postgraduate diploma or PGCE, with a minimum average of 65% for scarce skills programmes and 70% for other programmes
- Master's bursary: R32,700 a year for full-time students, or R65,400 over two years, with an average of at least 60% in a completed honours degree
- Doctoral bursary: R35,410 a year for full-time students, or R106,230 over three years, with an average of at least 60% in a completed master's degree
Part-time and working students may qualify for a 50% allocation of the master's and doctoral bursaries. Students who finish on time may get a one-year extra grant. If you terminate your studies or do not finish within the prescribed period, you must repay the bursary.
Funding limits
You may combine NWU funding with other bursaries, such as NRF or SETA funding, up to set limits. In 2026, these were R196,460 a year for honours, R261,900 for master's and R327,400 for doctoral students.
Academic merit bursary
NWU's Postgraduate Academic Merit Bursary is a once-off award for the first year of a master's or doctoral programme. It is calculated automatically for NWU students. Students from other universities must apply online and attach documents from their previous degree.
NRF funding
For 2027, the DSTI-NRF honours funding call closed on 30 October 2026. It is open only to South African citizens and permanent residents.
Related pages
See NWU fees, NWU bursaries and how to apply to NWU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply for an NWU postgraduate bursary?
No. Admitted students are considered automatically, except for the Full Cost Master's and PhD Bursary.
How much is the NWU master's bursary?
R32,700 a year for full-time students in 2026.
When do NWU postgraduate applications close?
The general date for 2027 was 30 November 2026, but many faculties close earlier.