SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027 are open for Honours, Master’s and Doctoral STEM students, with annual funding of R150,000, R160,000 and R170,000 respectively. Learn about eligible fields, the 65% academic requirement, documents and application process.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Postgraduate Bursaries 2027 are open for students pursuing postgraduate qualifications in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with annual bursary funding reaching R170,000 for doctoral students.
SANSA provides postgraduate bursaries as part of its effort to increase the number of qualified science and engineering graduates in South Africa and contribute to the scarce skills required for the country’s development.
The 2027 opportunity covers students pursuing Honours, Master’s and Doctoral qualifications in relevant science and engineering disciplines. Fields listed by SANSA range from space science and physics to computer science, engineering, information technology, environmental science, GIS and remote sensing.
Funding is set at R150,000 per year for Honours students, R160,000 per year for Master’s students and R170,000 per year for Doctoral students.
SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | South African National Space Agency |
| Opportunity | SANSA 2027 Postgraduate Bursaries |
| Country | South Africa |
| Study Level | Honours, Master’s and Doctoral |
| Main Focus | STEM |
| Honours Funding | R150,000 per annum |
| Master’s Funding | R160,000 per annum |
| Doctoral Funding | R170,000 per annum |
| Minimum Academic Average | 65% in last year of study or last examination |
| Application Method | Online |
| Master’s Proposal | Maximum 2 pages |
| Doctoral Proposal | Maximum 4 pages |
| Application Status | Applications advertised as open |
| Deadline | Not stated in the supplied SANSA page |
Applicants should note that the supplied SANSA bursary page does not state an application closing date. Candidates should therefore check the current application portal and SANSA announcements rather than assuming a deadline.
What Are the SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries?
The South African National Space Agency provides postgraduate bursaries to help strengthen South Africa’s science and engineering skills base.
SANSA explains that South Africa needs more science and engineering graduates to provide the scarce skills necessary to achieve the country’s National Development Plan goals and support a sustainable future.
The bursary programme contributes to this objective by supporting postgraduate education in relevant STEM disciplines.
For 2027, SANSA specifically invites applications for its Postgraduate Bursaries for STEM students.
This is therefore not a general scholarship covering every university subject. Applicants must be studying toward a relevant science or engineering qualification.
How Much Does the SANSA Bursary Pay?
SANSA publishes three annual funding amounts according to the postgraduate level.
Honours Students
Successful Honours students can receive:
R150,000 per annum
Master’s Students
Successful Master’s students can receive:
R160,000 per annum
Doctoral Students
Successful Doctoral students can receive:
R170,000 per annum
The funding level therefore increases according to the level of postgraduate study.
The supplied page does not provide a detailed breakdown showing how each bursary amount is divided between tuition, accommodation, research expenses, living costs, books or other expenses.
Applicants should consequently avoid assuming that every individual expense is separately covered in addition to the stated annual bursary amount.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The opportunity is particularly relevant to students building postgraduate careers in areas connected to SANSA’s scientific and technical work.
Potential candidates include students pursuing postgraduate qualifications in:
- Space science
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Applied mathematics
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Electrical engineering
- Electronic engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Mechatronics
- Remote sensing
- Geographic Information Systems
- Environmental science
- Geoinformatics
- Earth observation
- Related STEM fields
Students should compare their exact qualification with the fields identified by SANSA before submitting an application.
Eligible Study Levels
SANSA states that it offers bursaries to Bachelor of Science and engineering students who are continuing into:
Honours
Master’s
Doctoral qualifications
The bursary is therefore focused on postgraduate study rather than providing general undergraduate funding.
Applicants should make sure they are applying for the funding category corresponding to their intended 2027 level of study.
Eligible Fields for SANSA Bursaries 2027
SANSA provides an extensive list of disciplines associated with its Earth Observation, Space Engineering and Space Science areas.
Importantly, SANSA says the fields are not limited only to those listed, but applicants still need to be studying toward a relevant science qualification.
Earth Observation and Environmental Fields
Relevant fields listed include:
- Applied Remote Sensing
- Applied Remote Sensing and GIS
- Botany
- Ecology and Resource Management
- Environmental Science
- Environmental and Geographical Science
- Environmental and Water Science
- Environmental Geology
- Environmental Management
- Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Geographical and Environmental Science
- Geographical Information Systems
- Geographical Science
- Geography with Remote Sensing and/or GIS
- Geography and Environmental Management
- Geography and Environmental Science
- Geoinformatics
- GIS and Remote Sensing
- Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Plant and Environmental Science
- Statistical Ecology
This makes the bursary relevant beyond subjects that contain “space” in their names.
Earth observation, environmental monitoring and geospatial science are important parts of space-related research and applications.
Engineering and Technology Fields
SANSA also identifies several engineering and computing disciplines, including:
- Computer and Electronic Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Information Technology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
These fields may be particularly attractive to students interested in the technical infrastructure, systems and technologies associated with space science and engineering.
Space Science and Mathematical Fields
SANSA lists several disciplines under its Space Science area, including:
- Applied Mathematics
- Energy Studies
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Space Science
Information Systems and Information Technology are also identified as disciplines that can apply across multiple SANSA programme areas.
Minimum Academic Requirement
One of the most important eligibility conditions is academic performance.
SANSA states that applicants with an academic average below 65% for their last year of study or last examination will not be considered.
Applicants should therefore review their academic record before beginning the application.
A result below the stated threshold may make the candidate ineligible under the published requirements.
Meeting 65%, however, should not be interpreted as guaranteeing a bursary. It establishes the minimum level SANSA identifies for consideration.
Documents Required for the SANSA Bursary
Applicants need to prepare several documents.
Incomplete applications can be rejected, so candidates should prepare these documents carefully before submitting.
1. Full Official University Academic Record
Applicants must provide a complete official university academic record covering study from the first year onward.
The record must also include:
- Final-year results, or
- Mid-year 2026 results
where applicable.
An incomplete transcript may therefore create problems during the assessment process.
2. Undergraduate Student Account Statement or NSFAS Letter
Applicants must provide either:
- An official undergraduate university student account statement, or
- An official letter confirming NSFAS funding for undergraduate study fees.
This requirement should not be overlooked when preparing the application.
3. Certified ID Copy
Applicants must submit an ID copy that has been:
Certified within three months of the application submission.
Using an older certified copy could therefore cause the application to fail the document requirements.
Additional Requirements for Master’s and Doctoral Applicants
Postgraduate research applicants have additional requirements.
Lecturer or Supervisor Testimonial
Both Master’s and Doctoral applicants must include a testimonial from:
- A lecturer, or
- Their proposed supervisor.
Applicants should approach the relevant academic early enough to obtain the testimonial before submitting.
Master’s Research Proposal
Master’s applicants must upload a draft research proposal.
The proposal must be:
No longer than two pages.
Applicants should therefore present their proposed research clearly and concisely.
Doctoral Research Proposal
Doctoral applicants must also provide a draft research proposal.
For doctoral candidates, the maximum length is:
Four pages.
Proposal Signatures
SANSA requires all proposals to be:
- Signed by the applicant
- Signed by the proposed supervisor
- Dated
Submitting an otherwise strong proposal without the required signatures could result in an incomplete application.
Important Rules About Documents
SANSA provides several warnings applicants should take seriously.
Missing Documents
If an applicant fails to submit any required document, SANSA says the application will be considered incomplete.
Candidates should therefore create a checklist before submitting.
Password-Protected Documents
Documents that are encrypted or password protected will also result in an application being considered incomplete.
Before uploading files, applicants should open each document and confirm that it can be accessed without a password.
Relevant Qualification
Only applicants studying toward relevant science qualifications will be considered.
Academic Average
Candidates with an average below 65% in their last year of study or last examination will not be considered.
Application Checklist
Before submitting a SANSA 2027 bursary application, candidates should check that they have the appropriate documents.
| Requirement | Honours | Master’s | Doctoral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Academic Record | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Student Account/NSFAS Letter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recently Certified ID | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lecturer/Supervisor Testimonial | Not stated | Yes | Yes |
| Draft Research Proposal | Not stated | Max 2 pages | Max 4 pages |
| Applicant Signature on Proposal | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Supervisor Signature | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Applicants should still follow the instructions displayed in the live application system if additional fields or documents are requested.
How to Apply for SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027
The SANSA page directs candidates to apply through its online bursary application system.
A practical application process is:
Step 1 — Confirm Your Field
Check whether your postgraduate programme falls within a relevant STEM discipline.
SANSA provides a broad list, but only applicants studying relevant science qualifications will be considered.
Step 2 — Check Your Academic Average
Confirm that your last year or most recent examination average meets the 65% minimum.
Step 3 — Obtain Your Official Academic Record
Request a complete official academic record covering your studies from first year onward.
Do not wait until the final day to request university documents.
Step 4 — Obtain Financial Documentation
Prepare your official undergraduate university account statement or official NSFAS funding letter.
Step 5 — Certify Your ID
Make sure the certification is no more than three months old when you submit the application.
Step 6 — Secure a Testimonial
Master’s and doctoral applicants should contact their lecturer or proposed supervisor for the required testimonial.
Step 7 — Prepare Your Research Proposal
Master’s applicants should prepare a proposal of no more than two pages.
Doctoral applicants have a maximum of four pages.
Make sure the proposal is signed and dated by both the applicant and proposed supervisor.
Step 8 — Check Every File
Make sure:
- Documents are readable
- Nothing is missing
- Files are not encrypted
- Files are not password protected
- Required signatures are present
Step 9 — Complete the Online Application
Submit the application through SANSA’s official bursary application system.
Application Deadline
The supplied SANSA bursary page advertises applications for the 2027 SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries and directs candidates to “Apply NOW.”
However, it does not provide a specific closing date in the text supplied.
Applicants should therefore check the current application portal for the closing date and should not rely on deadlines from previous SANSA bursary cycles.
Applying early is advisable because obtaining official university records, supervisor testimonials and signed research proposals can take time.
Is the SANSA Bursary Fully Funded?
The source provides specific annual bursary values:
- R150,000 for Honours
- R160,000 for Master’s
- R170,000 for Doctoral study
However, the supplied information does not provide a complete cost-by-cost funding breakdown.
It would therefore be safer to describe this as a funded postgraduate bursary rather than claiming that every recipient receives a universally “fully funded” package covering every possible expense.
Why This Opportunity Matters for STEM Students
SANSA’s bursary programme is notable because of the breadth of disciplines it supports.
Space-sector careers are sometimes assumed to be limited to astronomy or aerospace engineering. The SANSA list demonstrates a much wider skills ecosystem.
A student working in GIS, remote sensing, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, electrical engineering, information systems or statistical ecology could potentially be working on problems relevant to the space sector.
For students considering postgraduate research, the bursary can therefore provide both financial support and an opportunity to build expertise in areas connected with South Africa’s scientific and technological development.
How Competitive Is the SANSA Bursary?
SANSA does not provide an acceptance rate or number of 2027 bursaries on the supplied page.
It would therefore be inaccurate to estimate an applicant’s statistical chance of receiving funding.
What is clear is that applications must satisfy several baseline requirements, including:
- Relevant STEM study
- At least a 65% academic average
- Complete supporting documentation
- Additional research documentation for Master’s and Doctoral applicants
Candidates should view the 65% requirement as a minimum rather than assuming everyone who reaches the threshold will receive funding.
Application Mistakes to Avoid
One of the easiest mistakes is submitting an incomplete academic record. SANSA asks for the official record from the first year of university study onward.
Another is uploading a certified ID that is older than three months.
Master’s and doctoral applicants should also pay close attention to proposal length. The maximum is two pages for Master’s applicants and four pages for Doctoral applicants.
Research proposals must also contain the required signatures and date.
Applicants should additionally ensure that uploaded documents are not password protected or encrypted.
Finally, do not assume that studying any postgraduate subject makes you eligible. SANSA states that only applicants pursuing relevant science qualifications will be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are SANSA bursaries open for 2027?
Yes. The supplied SANSA page specifically advertises the 2027 SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries for STEM students and directs interested students to apply.
How much is the SANSA bursary for Honours students?
The published funding amount is R150,000 per annum.
How much does SANSA provide for Master’s students?
Master’s bursary funding is listed at R160,000 per annum.
How much do doctoral students receive?
The doctoral bursary amount is R170,000 per annum.
What is the minimum academic average?
Applicants with an academic average below 65% for their last year of study or last examination will not be considered.
Can undergraduate students apply?
The opportunity described is a postgraduate bursary programme. SANSA says it supports BSc and engineering students pursuing Honours, Master’s or Doctoral qualifications.
Is computer science eligible?
Yes. Computer Science appears among the fields listed by SANSA.
Is engineering eligible?
Yes. Listed fields include Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering and related disciplines.
Can GIS students apply?
GIS, remote sensing, geoinformatics and several related geographical and environmental disciplines are listed.
Is Space Science eligible?
Yes. Space Science is explicitly included among the listed disciplines.
Do Master’s students need a research proposal?
Yes. Master’s applicants must upload a draft proposal of no more than two pages.
Do PhD applicants need a proposal?
Yes. Doctoral applicants must upload a draft proposal of no more than four pages.
Does the proposal need a supervisor’s signature?
Yes. SANSA states that proposals must be signed and dated by the applicant and proposed supervisor.
What happens if documents are missing?
SANSA says an application will be considered incomplete if the required documents are not submitted.
Can I upload password-protected documents?
No. SANSA states that encrypted or password-protected documents will cause the application to be deemed incomplete.
What is the SANSA 2027 bursary deadline?
A closing date is not stated in the supplied bursary page. Applicants should check the live SANSA application system for the current deadline rather than relying on dates from earlier cycles.
Final Thoughts
The SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027 provide a significant funding opportunity for students pursuing advanced STEM qualifications in South Africa.
The programme supports Honours, Master’s and Doctoral study, with annual funding of R150,000, R160,000 and R170,000 respectively.
SANSA’s list of relevant disciplines is broad, extending beyond traditional space science into remote sensing, GIS, environmental science, computer science, information technology, mathematics, physics and multiple engineering disciplines.
Applicants need an academic average of at least 65% in their last year of study or last examination and must submit all required supporting documentation. Master’s and doctoral candidates face additional requirements, including supervisor or lecturer testimonials and signed research proposals.
Because SANSA warns that missing or password-protected documents will result in incomplete applications, candidates should carefully review every file before submission.
Most importantly, applications for the 2027 postgraduate bursaries are advertised as open, but the supplied SANSA page does not state a specific closing date. Eligible students should therefore check the official application system and prepare their documents as early as possible.
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