Hey future academics and scholars! Are you dreaming of taking your studies to the next level, perhaps even internationally? Then you absolutely need to hear about the **DHET Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP) Bursary 2026**! This isn’t just any bursary; it’s a game-changer designed to support talented young South Africans pursuing Honours or Master’s degrees, with an exciting twist of a fully funded Master’s in France or here in Mzansi.
What is the DHET NESP Bursary?
The DHET Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP) is an incredible initiative from the Department of Higher Education and Training. It’s a three-year programme that kicks off with a two-year Master’s scholarship, followed by a one-year academic internship at a South African university. For those eyeing an Honours degree, there’s also a four-year programme including one year of Honours, two years of Master’s, and the academic internship!
What’s super cool is that NESP Phase 2 offers opportunities for Honours study in South Africa, Master’s study in South Africa, and even Master’s study in France in partnership with the French Embassy! Whichever path you choose, this programme is all about equipping you with advanced academic skills and practical experience.
Who Can Apply?
If you’re a young South African eager to contribute to academia, listen up! The NESP Bursary is looking for bright minds ready to commit to advanced studies and an academic internship. Here’s a breakdown of the general requirements:
- **For Honours Scholarships (Opportunity 1):** You need a completed Level 7 qualification (like a Bachelor’s degree) with a minimum average of 65%.
- **For Master’s Scholarships (Opportunities 2 & 3):** You need a completed appropriate Level 8 qualification (like an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma) with a minimum average of 65%.
Successful applicants for all opportunities will be expected to kick off their studies at the beginning of the **2027 academic year.**
What Does It Cover?
The DHET NESP Bursary is designed to be a fully funded scholarship for the duration of your Honours or Master’s degree. While the specific financial details aren’t listed, the programme title indicates it’s a ‘fully funded’ opportunity, ensuring you can focus on your studies without the added financial stress. Plus, it includes that crucial one-year academic internship at a host South African university, giving you invaluable experience!
For those selected for the Master’s in France programme, your scholarship will cover your two-year study period in France before you return to complete your academic internship in South Africa.
How to Apply?
Ready to jump into this amazing opportunity? The application process is online and specific to the university and field you’re interested in. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for your chosen path!
Opportunity 1: Honours Positions in South Africa
There are 10 positions available across various South African public universities. Click on the specific links below to apply for your preferred field:
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Sports Business and Technology
- Rhodes University: Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Mathematics Graph Theory
- Tshwane University of Technology: Building Science
- Tshwane University of Technology: Performing Arts
- University of the Free State: Haematology
- University of Kwazulu-Natal: Applied Mathematics
- University of Kwazulu-Natal: Mathematics
- Vaal University of Technology: Metallurgical Engineering / Mineral Processing
- University of Venda: History
Opportunity 2: Master’s Positions in France
There are 13 NESP positions available for Master’s study at public universities in France, in partnership with the French Embassy. Remember, the provisional scholarship is dependent on your acceptance into a French university. We recommend applying to multiple public French universities to boost your chances!
To find Master’s programmes in France: Visit the Campus France link
Apply for specific NESP positions here:
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Electronique, Énergie, Électrique, Automotique: Mechatronics
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Marine Science Physical-Oceanography
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Nautical Science
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Technology & Robotics
- Central University of Technology: Physics
- Durban University of Technology: Chemical Engineering (Green Energy)
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Nanomedicine
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Biostatistics
- Tshwane University of Technology: Management Science (International Food & Beverage Management)
- Tshwane University of Technology: Nursing
- University of Limpopo: Bioinformatics
- Vaal University of Technology: Industrial Engineering
- Vaal University of Technology: Mechanical Engineering
Opportunity 3: Master’s Positions in South Africa
There are 63 NESP positions available for Master’s study at South African public universities, including the one-year academic internship. Select your field and institution from the links below:
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Electronic Communication and Satellite Technology
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Emergency Medical Aid
- Central University of Technology: Agrometerology & Soil Science
- Central University of Technology: Animal Science/ Pasture Science
- Nelson Mandela University: Coding, Robotics& Artificial Intelligence
- Nelson Mandela University: Criminal Justice
- Nelson Mandela University: Mechatronics
- Durban University of Technology: Accounting with a Focus on Women in Accounting
- Durban University of Technology: Information and Corporate Management
- Durban University of Technology: Video Technology with a Focus on Film & Television
- Durban University of Technology: Biomedical Engineering
- Durban University of Technology: Chemical Thermodynamics & Modelling Separation Process
- Mangosuthu University of Technology: Agricultural Extension
- Mangosuthu University of Technology: Environmental Health Public Health
- Mangosuthu University of Technology: Mathematics
- Mangosuthu University of Technology: Mechanical Engineering
- Mangosuthu University of Technology: Analytical Chemistry
- Rhodes University: Economic&s Finance (Financial Markets& Quantitative Economics)
- North-West University: English
- North-West University: Physics (Electronics/Renewable Energy)
- Sol Plaatjie University: Retail Business Management
- Sol Plaatjie University: Archeology
- Sol Plaatjie University: Creative Writing
- Tshwane University of Technology: Conservation Management
- Tshwane University of Technology: Veterinary Epidemiology (Brucellosis Research Focus)
- Tshwane University of Technology: Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
- Tshwane University of Technology: Policing
- University of Cape Town: Palliative Care
- University of Fort Hare: Human Rights Law
- University of Fort Hare: Language Education (Multilingualism)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Water Resource Engineering
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Climate Medicine Specialist & Epidemiology
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Mechanical Engineering
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Structural Engineering
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Chemical Engineering
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Electrical/Electronic/Computer Engineering
- University of South Africa: Biomedical Engineering
- University of South Africa: Civil Engineering (2 positions)
- University of the Free State: Industrial Psychology
- University of the Free State: Business Management with a Focus on Entrepreneurship Research
- University of Limpopo: Applied Mathematics
- University of Limpopo: Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
- University of Limpopo: Virology
- University of the Western Cape: Geography
- University of the Western Cape: Statistics (Data Science)
- University of the Western Cape: Women & Gender Studies
- University of Johannesburg: Food Technology
- University of Pretoria: Veterinary Tropical Diseases
- University of Pretoria: Academic Pharmacology
- University of Pretoria: Speech-Language Pathology
- University of Pretoria: Engineering, Built Environment & IT (Urban Citizenship)
- University of Pretoria: Civil Engineering (Geotechnical, Materials, Structural, Water, Transportation)
- University of Venda: Public Health (Health Measurement)
- University of Venda: Business Information Management
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Gender Studies
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Agricultural Extension & Rural Development
- University of Zululand: Early Childhood Education
- University of Zululand: Language Education: lsiZulu Language
- University of Zululand: Clinical Psychology
- University of Zululand: Physics
- Walter Sisulu University: Medical Physics
- Walter Sisulu University: Space Science/ ULF Waves
- Walter Sisulu University: Civil Engineering (Transport)
Official Webpage
For more details and general information about the programme, check out the official NESP webpage:
Visit the Official Webpage of the DHET Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme
If this sounds like the perfect bursary to kickstart your academic career and secure your future, don’t wait! The closing date is **7 November 2025**, so make sure to get your applications in on time. Apply now and keep exploring more incredible bursaries right here on Bursaries Room!
