Location: South Africa
Program: Postgraduate
Eligibility: International Students
Duration: 3 years
Deadline: September 20, 2025
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP & GET UPDATES ON SCHOLARSHIPS WORLDWIDE
The University of Pretoria Commonwealth Postgraduate Scholarship is a prestigious funding opportunity designed to support outstanding postgraduate students from Commonwealth countries (excluding South Africa) who wish to pursue their master’s or doctoral studies at the University. The scholarship reflects UP’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and development across the Commonwealth by nurturing highly skilled graduates who can make significant contributions in their fields. It provides financial assistance to cover tuition, living expenses, and other related costs, thereby reducing financial barriers and enabling recipients to focus fully on their studies. Through this scholarship, the University not only strengthens its research mission but also promotes academic cooperation, cultural exchange, and sustainable development among Commonwealth nations.
The University of Pretoria (UP), one of Africa’s leading research-intensive universities, is renowned for its strong academic reputation, innovative research, and commitment to addressing global challenges through knowledge and discovery. As a world-class institution located in South Africa’s capital city, UP fosters a vibrant academic community where postgraduate students are encouraged to engage in cutting-edge research, develop advanced skills, and contribute meaningfully to both local and international knowledge systems. With its emphasis on excellence, diversity, and global collaboration, the University provides an enabling environment for talented scholars to thrive and build impactful careers.
Benefits of the Scholarship
This scholarship will provide the following to its recipients:
- Flight ticket to RSA from home country on proof of study permit.
- Return flight ticket to home country at the end of the completion of the programme as confirmed by the faculty.
- Shuttle service on arrival in South Africa and return on completion of studies.
- University of Pretoria application fee
- Study Visa costs which will be refunded to the Applicant based on proof of receipts upon arrival at University of Pretoria.
- The value of this Doctoral Scholarship will be R190 000 yearly. This amount must be used to towards the following student costs:
- Accommodation yearly
- Living costs yearly
- Fees yearly
- Medical Aid for 2027 & 2028 (2026 medical aid at your own expense)
- Books/Stationery
Also Check:
Rolls Royce Postgraduate scholarship at the University of Nottingham
Oxford-Weidenfeld Hoffmann Scholarships at the University of Oxford
Eligibility Criteria
- The University of Pretoria Commonwealth Doctoral Scholarship is open to applicants who are citizens of Commonwealth countries, excluding South African citizens.
- Applicants must intend to undertake their doctoral studies at the University of Pretoria, with commencement in the 2026 academic year.
- Applicants must have formally applied for admission to the University of Pretoria for the 2026 academic year.
- Each applicant must have identified a potential supervisor at the University of Pretoria.
- Applicants are required to have submitted their academic qualifications for evaluation to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Further information is available at www.saqa.org.za.
- Applicants must have completed their postgraduate Master’s degree at least two years prior to applying for admission in 2026.
- Applicants older than 38 years of age at the time of application are ineligible for this scholarship.
- Current or former Master’s or PhD students of the University of Pretoria are not eligible to apply.
Note: kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements
Also Check:
Global Futures Scholarships for African students at the University of Manchester
International Scholarship at the University of Southern Queensland -Australia
Selection Criteria
The selection process will be conducted by the University’s Institutional Selection Committee. The University reserves the right to amend, without prior notice to the Applicants, the regulations and scholarship values and/or conditions applicable to the awarding of this scholarship.
Award of this scholarship will be based on:
- Previous academic performance.
- Potential to undertake advanced research activities.
- Leadership qualities.
- Evidence of research accomplishment at the Masters’ level by means of publications.
- Prizes and honours received.
CLICK HERE to visit the official webpage and submit your application.
