NESP Scholarship South Africa 2025 – 2026

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER – DHET

NESP Scholarship South Africa | The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is one of the departments of the South African government, responsible for overseeing universities and other post-secondary education in South Africa.

The DHET formed the Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP) in 2020, with the aim of transforming higher education in the country. The national implementation of the programme, one of the Staffing South Africa’s Universities’ Programme (SSAUF), is in partnership with Rhodes University.

ABOUT THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Department of Higher Education and Training is inviting students to apply for the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP), for the 2023 academic year.. The NESP is a 3-year programme that includes a 2-year Master’s degree scholarship, followed by a 1-year academic internship at selected universities in South Africa.

The scholarship will be awarded for Master’s degree studies at selected universities, in these selected fields:

Cape Peninsula University of Technology:

Emergency Medical Care
Electronic Communication and Satellite Technology

Durban University of Technology:

Chemistry
Generic Health Sciences

Mangosuthu University of Technology:

Mathematics

Nelson Mandela University:

Information Technology Software Engineering
Mathematics & Multilingualism: Senior Phase

Rhodes University:

African Music Studies
Financial Markets and Quantitative Economics

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University:

Clinical Pharmacy
Midwifery Nursing Science

Tshwane University of Technology:

Metallurgical & Material Engineering
Performance Arts

University of Cape Town:

Electrical Engineering
Organisational Psychology

University of Johannesburg:

Chemical Sciences
Civil Engineering (Civil or Geotechnical)

University of KwaZulu-Natal:

Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical, Electronic or Computer Engineering

University of Limpopo:

Medical Microbiology

University of Pretoria:

Mechanical Engineering
Toxicology

University of South Africa:

Biomedical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Data Engineering

University of Venda:

Industrial Psychology

University of Zululand:

Life Sciences Education
Mechanical Engineering

Vaal University of Technology:

Biomedical Technology
Civil Engineering (Transportation-Railway Engineering)
Sports and Recreation Management

University of the Free State:

Forensic Science

Zabusaries.com is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the NESP Scholarship.

MORE ABOUT THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – RENEWAL & COVERAGE VALUE

Scholars will receive the following benefits:

Full support for registration and study (for the full 2 years of Master’s study)
Mentorship for the full duration of your participation
Support for the possible international mobility experience
Development of your teaching and research experience
1-year internship at a university in South Africa, after graduation

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying for the bursary (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

You must be a South African citizen
You must NOT be older than 35 years old
You must have completed an appropriate NQF level 8 (Honours Degree) qualification
You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for your NQF level 8 qualification
You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards a Masters’s degree qualification, in one of the fields listed above
You must be studying or intend on studying at one of the public South African universities listed above
You must be eligible to study towards a Master’s degree
You must be interested in becoming an academic

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP

Applications must be submitted online for the relevant qualification:
Cape Peninsula University of Technology:

Durban University of Technology:

Mangosuthu University of Technology:

Mathematics

Nelson Mandela University:

Rhodes University:

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University:

Tshwane University of Technology:

University of Cape Town:

University of Johannesburg:

University of KwaZulu-Natal:

University of Limpopo:

Medical Microbiology

University of Pretoria:

University of South Africa:

University of Venda:

Industrial Psychology

University of Zululand:

Vaal University of Technology:

University of the Free State:

Forensic Science

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

ID document (certified copy)
Matric certificate (certified copy)
Academic transcripts (certified copy)
Degree certificates (certified copy)
Proof of registration, if currently studying
Curriculum Vitae with details of any previous employment (maximum 2 pages)
Motivational letter (answering the following: why you should be awarded the scholarship, how you think this opportunity will assist in your self-development, the contribution you intend to make to your community and society, your career plans and how will this opportunity to help to advance them, the role you see yourself playing in the higher education sector in the future, any other important factors) (maximum of 30 lines)
2 academic references who can attest to your suitability for this programme (make sure that your referees know they will be contacted regarding your application)

CLOSING DATE FOR THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP

3 February 2022.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact the Department of Higher Education and Training directly:
Contact page: https:// https://zabusaries.com/SitePages/ContactUsNew.aspx
Please do NOT contact the DHET if this bursary has already closed

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NSFAS: What is NSFAS?

NSFAS, or National Student Financial Aid Scheme, was established according to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act of 1999 and incorporated the Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA), which stopped operating in 2000.