The University of Pretoria Doctoral Research Bursary 2027 is now open for new applications, providing funding opportunities for students planning to pursue full-time doctoral studies at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
The bursary is an internal University of Pretoria funding opportunity available to applicants of all nationalities, making it relevant to both South African and international doctoral candidates.
Applications opened on 22 June 2026 and will close on:
18 September 2026 at 23:59.
Applicants must either be applying for full-time doctoral studies at the University of Pretoria or already be registered as full-time students.
University of Pretoria Doctoral Research Bursary 2027 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | UP Doctoral Research Bursary |
| Institution | University of Pretoria |
| Country | South Africa |
| Study level | Doctoral |
| Funding type | Bursary/Scholarship |
| Nationality | All nationalities |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Study location | University of Pretoria |
| Sponsor | UP Internal Bursary |
| Applications opened | 22 June 2026 |
| Application deadline | 18 September 2026 at 23:59 |
| Employment restriction | Maximum 12 hours per week if awarded |
| Previous doctorate | Applicants may not already hold a doctoral degree |
What Is the University of Pretoria Doctoral Research Bursary?
The UP Doctoral Research Bursary is an internal funding opportunity provided by the University of Pretoria for students pursuing doctoral research.
The 2027 funding call is aimed at students who either:
- Plan to begin full-time doctoral studies at UP in 2027
- Are already registered as full-time doctoral students at the University of Pretoria
The bursary forms part of the university’s support structure for postgraduate research.
Is the UP Doctoral Research Bursary Open?
Yes.
According to the University of Pretoria information supplied, the funding call is currently listed as:
Open
for applications between:
22 June 2026 and 18 September 2026.
Students interested in the bursary should therefore prepare their applications before the closing date.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy several important eligibility conditions.
Full-Time Study Requirement
You must either:
- Be applying for full-time studies at the University of Pretoria
or
- Already be registered as a full-time student
The bursary is therefore not presented as funding for general part-time doctoral study.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes.
The official funding information lists the student nationality requirement as:
All nationalities.
This means international applicants may be considered alongside South African applicants, provided they satisfy the other eligibility conditions.
New Applicants Must Apply to the University of Pretoria
Prospective doctoral students must first apply for admission to UP.
New prospective students must:
- Have submitted an application for admission to the University of Pretoria
- Have been allocated a 2027 student number
This is an important condition.
Simply intending to apply to UP is not enough for a new applicant.
You need to have completed the admission application process far enough to receive your student number.
Do You Need to Apply for Other Funding?
Yes.
Applicants must provide evidence showing that they have also applied for:
other external funding sources for the 2027 academic year.
This means the UP Doctoral Research Bursary should not necessarily be treated as the applicant’s only funding strategy.
Students should consider applying for external doctoral scholarships, research grants or bursaries alongside the UP funding application.
Can You Work While Receiving the Bursary?
There is an employment restriction.
Applicants who receive the funding may not work more than:
12 hours per week.
Students who currently have substantial employment commitments should consider whether they would be able to comply with this condition if selected.
Can Someone With a PhD Apply?
No.
The eligibility requirements state that:
the applicant may not already have a doctoral degree.
The bursary is intended to support candidates working toward a doctoral qualification rather than applicants who have already completed a doctorate.
Which Faculties Are Eligible?
The bursary covers a broad range of faculties at the University of Pretoria.
Eligible faculties listed in the funding call include:
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Veterinary Science
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Faculty of Theology and Religion
- Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
This means applicants across a wide range of academic disciplines may potentially qualify.
Faculty of Law
Doctoral applicants pursuing research in legal disciplines can be considered under the funding call.
Potential doctoral areas may fall within the broader academic scope of law, depending on the programme and supervisor.
Faculty of Humanities
The Faculty of Humanities is included among the participating faculties.
Students pursuing research in humanities and related disciplines should review their doctoral programme requirements together with the bursary rules.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Doctoral research in health-related disciplines is also covered under the call.
This may be relevant to researchers working in areas associated with health sciences, medicine or related fields.
Faculty of Education
Doctoral candidates in education may also apply, provided they meet the general eligibility requirements.
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Veterinary Science is specifically listed among the faculties covered by the bursary.
This can make the programme relevant to doctoral researchers pursuing advanced work in veterinary or animal-health related fields.
Economic and Management Sciences
Students pursuing doctoral research within Economic and Management Sciences are included in the funding opportunity.
Relevant candidates may include researchers in areas such as:
- Economics
- Management
- Finance
- Accounting
- Business-related disciplines
Applicants should check their specific doctoral programme for exact academic requirements.
Natural and Agricultural Sciences
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is also covered.
This may be particularly relevant to doctoral researchers working in fields associated with:
- Biological sciences
- Agriculture
- Environmental sciences
- Natural sciences
- Food systems
- Related scientific areas
Theology and Religion
Doctoral researchers in Theology and Religion may also apply.
Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
The bursary is also available for eligible doctoral applicants within:
Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology.
This may be of particular interest to candidates pursuing advanced research in:
- Engineering
- Information technology
- Computer-related disciplines
- Built environment
- Related technical areas
Is the Bursary Fully Funded?
The supplied University of Pretoria webpage confirms that this is a bursary/scholarship opportunity, but the page itself does not state the exact funding amount or confirm that every cost associated with doctoral study is fully covered.
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that the bursary automatically includes:
- Full tuition
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
- Research costs
- Travel
- Health insurance
unless those benefits are confirmed in the attached 2027 bursary call or terms and conditions.
The University of Pretoria provides additional PDF documents containing more detailed information.
How Much Is the UP Doctoral Research Bursary Worth?
The exact bursary amount is not stated on the main funding page supplied.
Applicants should consult the official:
2027 UP Doctoral Research Bursary Call
and the associated terms and conditions for the funding value and payment conditions.
It would be inaccurate to state a specific amount without confirmation from those documents.
Why Applicants Must Seek External Funding Too
One of the most important conditions is that applicants must prove they have applied for external funding.
This requirement suggests that doctoral candidates should develop a broader funding strategy.
Potential categories to investigate may include:
- Government research funding
- Research council scholarships
- Faculty scholarships
- External foundations
- Industry-funded research
- International doctoral scholarships
The exact external funding opportunities suitable for an applicant will depend on their academic field and nationality.
How to Prepare Before Applying
A strong application begins with completing the essential administrative requirements.
Step 1 — Apply for UP Doctoral Admission
New students should first apply for admission to their chosen doctoral programme.
Step 2 — Obtain Your 2027 Student Number
The bursary requires prospective applicants to have been allocated a:
2027 student number.
Do not leave the admission application until the bursary deadline.
Step 3 — Identify External Funding
Apply to other relevant external funding opportunities.
Keep evidence of those applications because proof is required.
Step 4 — Review the Bursary Documents
The University of Pretoria provides three important attachments:
- 2027 UP Doctoral Research Bursary Call
- UP Doctoral Research Bursary Applicant Guidelines, Terms and Conditions 2027
- UP DRB New Application Guidelines 2027
Applicants should read all of these before submitting.
Step 5 — Check Your Employment Commitments
If awarded the funding, you cannot work more than 12 hours per week.
Make sure this condition is compatible with your circumstances.
Step 6 — Submit Before the Deadline
The closing date is:
18 September 2026 at 23:59.
Late applications should not be assumed to be accepted.
Documents You May Need
The main funding page does not provide a complete universal document checklist.
However, the information clearly indicates that prospective applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- Admission application to UP
- 2027 UP student number
- Proof of external funding applications
- Eligibility for full-time doctoral study
Additional documents may be required under the bursary guidelines.
Applicants should follow the official application guidelines rather than relying on a generic scholarship checklist.
How Competitive Is the UP Doctoral Research Bursary?
The supplied source does not state:
- Number of bursaries available
- Number of applicants
- Acceptance rate
- Selection ratio
It is therefore not possible to give a reliable competitiveness percentage.
Applicants should nevertheless treat the bursary as a formal research-funding opportunity and prepare complete, accurate applications.
Why Full-Time Registration Matters
The programme is specifically connected to full-time doctoral study.
Doctoral candidates should therefore consider whether they can make the required academic and research commitment.
The additional restriction limiting employment to 12 hours per week reinforces the emphasis on doctoral research as the student’s primary commitment.
Why Proof of External Funding Is Important
Some applicants may overlook this requirement.
The university explicitly states that candidates must prove they have applied for other external funding for the 2027 academic year.
An applicant should therefore keep evidence such as:
- Application confirmations
- Submission receipts
- Funding portal confirmations
where appropriate.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applying Before Completing UP Admission Requirements
Prospective students need a 2027 UP student number.
Ignoring the External Funding Requirement
Applicants must show evidence that they have sought other funding.
Assuming All Nationalities Means No Other Eligibility Rules
International students are eligible, but they must still satisfy all other conditions.
Assuming the Funding Is Automatically Full
The main page does not confirm that every cost is covered.
Overlooking the Employment Restriction
Recipients may not work more than 12 hours per week.
Applying With an Existing Doctoral Degree
Applicants who already hold a doctorate are not eligible under the stated conditions.
Missing the Deadline
Applications close on 18 September 2026 at 23:59.
Is the Scholarship Available for Master’s Students?
No.
The study level listed is:
Doctoral.
The bursary is therefore specifically for doctoral-level study.
Students seeking master’s funding would need to investigate other UP bursaries or scholarships.
Is the Scholarship Available for Undergraduate Students?
No.
The funding call is specifically for doctoral research.
Is the Bursary Available for Part-Time Students?
The eligibility requirements state that applicants must be applying for or already registered for:
full-time studies.
Applicants planning ordinary part-time doctoral study should therefore not assume they qualify.
Can Current UP Doctoral Students Apply?
Yes.
The eligibility rules include applicants who are already registered as full-time students.
They must still meet the remaining funding requirements.
Can New Doctoral Students Apply?
Yes.
New applicants can apply provided they have:
- Applied for admission to UP
- Been allocated a 2027 student number
- Satisfied the other eligibility conditions
Can African Students Outside South Africa Apply?
Yes, based on the nationality condition.
The bursary lists:
all nationalities
as eligible.
Applicants from other African countries should still ensure they meet the university’s admission and bursary requirements.
Can Students From Outside Africa Apply?
The source does not restrict eligibility to African nationals.
It states:
all nationalities.
Therefore, eligible students from other regions may also apply.
Application Deadline
The deadline is:
Friday, 18 September 2026 at 23:59.
As this is a fixed funding deadline, applicants should aim to complete their admission and bursary requirements well before the closing date.
Important Dates
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications opened | 22 June 2026 |
| Applications close | 18 September 2026 at 23:59 |
| Academic year | 2027 |
Why This Doctoral Bursary Is Worth Considering
Several features make the funding opportunity attractive.
Open to All Nationalities
International applicants can apply.
Wide Faculty Coverage
The bursary covers doctoral study across disciplines ranging from law and humanities to health sciences, engineering and IT.
Direct University Funding
The sponsor type is listed as:
UP Internal Bursary.
Supports Doctoral Research
The award is specifically intended for students pursuing the highest academic research qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the University of Pretoria Doctoral Research Bursary 2027?
It is an internal UP bursary/scholarship supporting eligible students undertaking full-time doctoral research.
Is the UP Doctoral Research Bursary 2027 open?
Yes.
The application period runs from 22 June 2026 to 18 September 2026.
What is the application deadline?
18 September 2026 at 23:59.
Can international students apply?
Yes.
The nationality category states all nationalities.
Where must students study?
At the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Is it for undergraduate students?
No.
It is for doctoral study.
Can master’s students apply?
No, not under this doctoral bursary call.
Can current UP students apply?
Yes, provided they are registered as full-time students and meet the remaining conditions.
Can prospective students apply?
Yes.
They must have already applied for UP admission and received a 2027 student number.
Do applicants have to apply for other scholarships?
Applicants must provide proof that they have applied for other external funding sources for the 2027 academic year.
Can recipients work while receiving the bursary?
Yes, but not more than 12 hours per week according to the supplied eligibility conditions.
Can someone who already has a PhD apply?
No.
Applicants may not already hold a doctoral degree.
Is the bursary fully funded?
The main UP webpage supplied does not confirm that it covers every cost. Applicants should consult the attached bursary call and terms and conditions for the exact funding package.
What faculties are eligible?
Eligible areas include Law, Humanities, Health Sciences, Education, Veterinary Science, Economic and Management Sciences, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Theology and Religion, and Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology.
Final Thoughts
The University of Pretoria Doctoral Research Bursary 2027 provides an important funding opportunity for doctoral candidates planning to undertake full-time research at one of South Africa’s major universities.
Applications are open to all nationalities, covering doctoral candidates across a wide selection of academic faculties.
New prospective students must already have applied for University of Pretoria admission and received a 2027 student number, while current applicants must be registered for full-time study.
Candidates must also demonstrate that they have applied for other external funding opportunities for the 2027 academic year and, if awarded the bursary, may not work more than 12 hours per week.
The application deadline is:
18 September 2026 at 23:59.
Applicants should carefully review the official bursary call, applicant guidelines and terms and conditions before submitting, particularly because the main funding page does not specify the exact bursary value or establish that all doctoral expenses are fully covered.
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