PhD Scholarships in South Africa

There are a lot of PhD scholarships in South Africa.

These scholarships are for both indigenous and international students who want to pursue their doctoral and research programs at a well-recognized institution in South Africa.

Some of these scholarships are fully funded, while others provide huge funds to cater for research studies. 

For you to be eligible to apply for PhD Scholarships in South Africa, you must be someone who is admitted or already enrolling for such a program at any recognized and approved university within the country.

It would help if you were accepted for a full-time study program.

Those on a part-time PhD and online learning courses are not eligible to apply for the scholarship opportunity.

Some of these scholarships last throughout your study period and require that you constantly maintain an excellent grade to renew them each year.

PhD scholarships in South Africa are highly competitive and have a limited number of slots.

To stand a greater chance of being selected for any, you must have high educational qualifications, expertise in your discipline and considerable work experience.

To get to know more about these scholarships and how you can start your application journey and get selected easily, ensure you read this content in detail.

PhD Scholarships in South Africa 

Below is the list of PhD scholarships in South Africa 

University of Pretoria (UP) Doctoral Commonwealths Scholarship 

This scholarship is specifically for those who want to pursue doctoral studies with selected faculty at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

The University of Pretoria Internal Bursary sponsors the scholarship.

The field of studies includes 

• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT
• Faculty of Health Science
• Faculty of Veterinary Science
• Faculty of Economic and Management Science
• Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
• Faculty of Theology and Religion

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: University of Pretoria
• Category: PhD
• Amount: R184,000 per annum
• Duration: According to Study Program 
• Application Deadline: September 11, 2024
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

Stellenbosch University GEM Scholarships for PhD students 

This scholarship is open to South African citizens and international students who want to pursue their PhD studies in the School of Economics and Management Sciences at  Stellenbosch University. 

To apply for this scholarship, you must have achieved a minimum mark of 70%.

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: Stellenbosch University 
• Category: PhD
• Amount: R200,,000 per annum
• Duration: three years
• Application Deadline: Not Specified 
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

ICGEB Arturo Falaschi Postdoctoral Fellowship 

The International Center for Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology awards competitive PhD fellowships to highly motivated scientists who wish to pursue PhD research in a world-class scientific environment.

The scholarship provides financial assistance that covers stipends, health insurance and other additional benefits. 

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: ICGEB 
• Category: PhD
• Amount: R25,000
• Duration: two years
• Application Deadline: 30 September 2024
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) PhD for Africa

This scholarship is meant for international students from Francophone and Anglophone sub-Saharan African nations who are admitted into the AERC Collaborative PhD program in Economics degree awarding universities in South Africa. 

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: University of Cape Town
• Category: PhD
• Amount: Not Specified 
• Duration: Not Specific 
• Application Deadline: 31 August 2024
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship Awards for African Students 

This scholarship is designed for South African Residents who are undergoing their research project in Medical Science or Population health at the African Health Research Institute.

The Scholarship is funded by UCL’s Division of Infection and Immunity and covers tuition fees and living expenses.

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: African Health Research Institute 
• Category: PhD
• Amount: Not Specified 
• Duration: Three Years
• Application Deadline: Not Specified 
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) Scholarships for Doctoral Study

This Scholarship is open to international students from partner countries ( Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

The scholarship supports African Mental Health researchers at internship, MPhil, PhD, and Doctoral Levels.

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: University of Cape Town 
• Category: PhD
• Amount: R300,000
• Duration: Four Years
• Application Deadline: 01 September, 2024
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships 

Canon Collins Trust, in collaboration with RMTF, provides financial support to exceptional individuals who are committed to social justice in South Africa.

The scholarship is meant for those who are nationals or have refugee status in any of the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, or Zambia.

Canon Collins RMTF Scholarships are awarded to those studying in the following areas

• Justice, which includes Climate Justice, Law, Economics and Politics
• Education policy and practice
• Humanities, which provides for Literature, History, Anthropology and the Arts

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: Recognized South African University 
• Category: PhD
• Amount: R20,000- R100,000
• Duration: Three Years
• Application Deadline: Not Specified 
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

Standard Bank Bursary Program for South Africans

Standard Bank Bursary Program is a scholarship opportunity organized by Standard Bank, one of the biggest financial institutions in South Africa, to help Indigenous students pursue postgraduate studies in selected fields.

The bursary provides funds to cover full tuition fees, textbooks, laptops, accommodation, meals and monthly living expenses.

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: Recognized South African University 
• Category: PhD
• Amount: Not Specific 
• Duration: Not Specified 
• Application Deadline: 30 September, 2024
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility requirements.

2024 University of Cape Town Scholarship 

The African Center for Cities organizes this Scholarship as part of their CLAIMS to Energy Citizenship Project funded by DANIDA (2024-2028).

The scholarship provides funds for two doctoral studies in Urban Studies – Southern Urbanization program at the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics (APG)

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: University of Cape Town 
• Category: PhD
• Amount: R245,000 per year 
• Duration: Two Years 
• Application Deadline: 07 September, 2024
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility 

AfricaLics PhD Academy on  Innovation and Competence Building Systems 

This scholarship program is for PhD students who are at the beginning of their second year at the time of the economy and have worked explicitly on issues related to policy-oriented analysis of science, technology and innovation. 

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: South Africa 
• University: University of Johannesburg 
• Category: PhD
• Amount: Not Specified 
• Duration: Not Specified 
• Application Deadline: Not specified 
• Eligibility Requirements: visit the university portal to learn more about the eligibility 

Final Thought 

With a PhD Scholarship, you can be able to carry out your research study conveniently without having to worry about educational fees and study expenses.

Some of the PhD scholarships in South Africa are either initiated by the Research Institutions/Host Universities, Faculty of Study, Private Individuals, Non governmental organisations or other external bodies.

Each scholarship has its individual criteria and guidelines.

Before seeking to apply, ensure you visit the scholarship’s website to find out in detail about the eligibility requirements, application date and deadline and selection process.

To stand a greater chance of being awarded a PhD scholarship, ensure you apply early using the correct and required documents.