South Africa needs an increase in science and engineering graduates if we are to effectively resource the country with necessary and scarce skills to achieve the goals of the National Development Plan and ensure a successful and sustainable future for our citizens. To achieve this, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) provides post-graduate degree bursaries to contribute to the national target for qualified postgraduates in science and engineering.
Scope of the projects
Earth Observation (Hons, MSc, PhD)
- Remote sensing;
- Geospatial programming;
- Earth system science with remote sensing;
- Earth observations in ecosystems accounting; and
- Remote sensing applications in environmental management include oceans and marine, agriculture and rangelands, water resource management, mineral resource and spatial planning.
Engineering (MEng, MTech, MSc, PHD, DTech)
- Software and software systems engineering;
- Aeronautical, aerospace, mechanical, electrical, electronic, mechatronics and computer engineering; and
- Space, systems, antenna and RF engineering.
Space Science (Hons, MSc, MPhil, PhD)
- Solar physics and space weather forecasting;
- Antarctic radar studies of atmospheric gravity waves;
- Multi-instrument studies of space weather;
- Modelling geomagnetically induced currents in power systems;
- Multiscale ionospheric physics, structure and dynamics;
- Ionospheric and radio propagation modelling;
- Theory of waves and solutions in plasmas;
- Atmospheric radiation studies; and
- Verification of space weather forecasting.
All SANSA divisions (Hons, MSc, PhD)
- Computer Science;
- Information systems;
- Software and systems engineering;
- Data science; and
- Field of choice related to key SANSA objectives.
To apply for any of these programmes, kindly check here.
Bursary Criteria
The main criteria used in selecting successful applicants are financial need, academic potential and career-oriented study programmes.
Please note the following:
- You should upload your FULL academic record as well as your fee statement for ALL study years.
- An application will only be considered if it has been completed properly and in full.
- Documents that accompany the application form must be uploaded and certified.
- The supervisor must complete the testimonial form and upload them to the application form.
SANSA is currently revising the bursary values for 2023, and the result will be communicated in due course. However, funding will be available for the following individual programmes:
- Hons – one year
- Masters – two years
- PhD – three years
Masters and doctoral bursars MUST reapply every year for continued funding.
NOTE: Partial and full cost bursary values will be determined based on academic achievement and family income. Successful candidates will be notified.
Applicants may not hold a combination of bursaries that exceed these amounts. However, should an applicant have another bursary of a lesser amount, SANSA will consider providing a top-up amount to the student provided the student meets the criteria mentioned above.
Support for continuing years is not guaranteed and will depend on satisfactory progress during the previous year. The completed application must be submitted no later than 30 September 2022 if you want to be considered for a bursary for 2023.
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