The University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Bellville offers postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees, master's degrees and doctorates across its seven faculties. You apply online, and UWC does not charge an application fee. Here is how postgraduate study at UWC works, based on its official pages.
Closing dates for 2027
Applications for 2027 opened on 1 April 2026, and the general closing date was 30 September 2026. Selected postgraduate programmes close earlier. For example, the Department of Psychology's BA Honours and MA Research intakes closed on 31 August 2026, and its MA in Clinical Psychology on 22 May 2026. By November 2026, UWC said applications for 2027 were closed except for a short list, including a PhD in the Child and Family Studies and Social Work streams and the Postgraduate Diploma in Transnational Criminal Justice.
The five-step application journey
- Choose your programme.
- Check its entry requirements.
- Apply online. You may apply for a maximum of two postgraduate choices.
- Track your application.
- Respond to your outcome and prepare to register.
Before you apply
Make sure that all your documents are certified, clear and complete. For a master's or PhD, contact the department about your research topic and supervision. To change your programme, submit a Programme Change Request before the application deadline. Admission is competitive, and spaces are limited. Applicants with a disability can complete the disability section of the online application and contact the Office for Students with Disabilities on 021 959 4170.
Application fee
There is none. UWC's Faculty of Law and Department of Computer Science both state that no application fee is payable for a postgraduate application.
Fees
UWC announced a new fee model for thesis-based master's and doctoral degrees, effective from 2026. Instead of paying the full tuition in the first year, students pay it across each year of study. Master's and PhD students who need quotations or pro forma invoices for levies or affiliation fees can email studaccount@uwc.ac.za.
Funding
NRF bursaries at honours, master's and doctoral levels are applied for directly by students through the NRF's online portal. UWC also lists faculty bursaries, such as the DVC: Research and Innovation Postgraduate Bursary for honours and MA students in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Language Bursary, which offers R20,000 for honours and R30,000 for master's students who are South African citizens.
Contact
For help, contact the UWC Contact Centre on 021 959 3900 or admissions@uwc.ac.za, from 09:00 to 16:00 on weekdays.
Related pages
See UWC fees, UWC bursaries and how to apply to UWC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UWC charge a postgraduate application fee?
No.
When do UWC postgraduate applications close?
The general closing date was 30 September 2026, with some programmes closing earlier.
How many postgraduate choices can I make at UWC?
A maximum of two.