Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in the Eastern Cape offers postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees, master's degrees, including the Master of Medicine, and doctorates across its faculties. You can apply online or on the prescribed paper form. Here is how postgraduate study at WSU works, based on its official pages.
Closing dates for 2027
WSU's application page for 2027 lists 1 June 2026 as the opening date, 30 September 2026 as the closing date for international applicants, and 31 October 2026 as the general closing date, including for postgraduate applicants. WSU's postgraduate page also gives 30 September for the Faculty of Health Sciences and 31 October for other faculties. A late application fee applies after the closing date.
How to apply
- Find your qualification on the faculty and departmental websites.
- Read Section Four of WSU's General Prospectus and the Higher Degrees Guide for the admission rules.
- Apply online, or complete the prescribed form in detail and send it to the Office of the Registrar.
- Pay the non-refundable R100 application fee. Never pay it into an individual's bank account.
Each application is valid for one academic year only, so you must reapply if you want to start in a later year.
Periods of study
- Full-time master's: a minimum of one year and a maximum of four years
- Part-time master's: a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years
- Full-time doctorate: a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years
- Part-time doctorate: a minimum of three years and a maximum of seven years
The Master of Medicine may only be studied full-time. WSU's postgraduate programmes include, for example, the Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine, the Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical Pathology and the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.
Funding
WSU's funding page lists NRF Postgraduate Scholarships, which fund honours, master's and PhD students. WSU says that bursaries are granted on financial need and academic merit, and that most bursaries are offered directly by private companies, which handle their own applications. For bursaries offered by the university, contact the Bursary Officers at the Mthatha and Butterworth campuses.
Postdoctoral fellowships
WSU also runs a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for researchers who obtained their doctorate within the last five years.
Tips
Check the faculty requirements before you pay the fee, and apply well before the closing date to avoid the late fee. For a master's or doctorate, talk to the department about your topic and supervision first.
Related pages
See WSU fees, WSU bursaries and how to apply to WSU.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do WSU postgraduate applications close?
For 2027, the general closing date was 31 October 2026, and 30 September 2026 for international applicants.
How much is WSU's application fee?
R100, and it is not refundable.
How long can a WSU master's take?
Between one and four years full-time, or two and five years part-time.