NSFAS provides study bursaries to underprivileged South Africans, who are studying at public universities and TVET colleges. However, does their funding cover second qualifications?
NSFAS does fund postgraduate students. However, only select courses are funded. If the second qualification is a professional requirement for employment, then it will be funded.
“Post-graduate students and B-Techs must be allowed to register. We are demanding postgraduate funding,” said SAUS in their list of demands to Minister Blade Nzimande.
Which comes as the need for more options for Postgraduate students in multiple faculties rises.
When students complete their undergraduate degree and want to continue studying, they are left with limited funding options.
Even if NSFAS funded these students for their first degree, there is no guarantee that they will be funded for their second qualification.
For postgraduate studies, only the students of the following fields are accepted:
- B Tech – Architecture/Architectural Technology
- B Tech – Biokinetics/Biomedical Technology/Biotechnology
- B Tech: Chiropractic
- B Tech: Clinical Technology/Dental Technology
- B Tech: Emergency Medical Care
- B Tech: Engineering (Chemical/Civil/Electrical/Industrial/Mechanical/Mechatronics/Metallurgy/Refractories)
- B Tech: Forestry
- B Tech: Homeopathy
- B Tech: Nursing/Nursing Science/Community Nursing/Primary Healthcare/Occupational Nursing)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
- Bachelor of Laws/LLB
Postgraduate diplomas, Honours degrees, Masters degrees as well as PhD degrees are not generally funded. Postgraduate students in fields not mentioned above are advised to apply to the National Research Foundation (NRF).
Visit www.nrf.ac.za for application dates.
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