NWU Announces Full Funding for Qualifying Postgraduate Students
- Karen Scheepers
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
North-West University (NWU) has announced a new initiative to provide full financial support for qualifying postgraduate students, in a move aimed at reversing the declining trend in Master’s and PhD enrolments across South Africa’s public universities.
Addressing a National Concern
The initiative comes amid growing concerns about the low number of local students pursuing advanced degrees. Recent reviews of doctoral qualifications in South Africa have highlighted that more than half of PhD graduates in the country are international students, with local participation lagging behind. This pattern has been observed across all 26 public universities, raising questions about the sustainability of South Africa’s postgraduate pipeline.
One of the key challenges identified is the financial burden faced by many students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Families often expect graduates to enter the job market immediately after completing undergraduate or honours degrees, rather than continuing with postgraduate studies.
Full Financial Support for Postgraduate Studies
To address these barriers, NWU has committed to covering the full cost of study for qualifying Master’s and PhD students. The funding will include tuition, study materials, and additional academic support. The university’s leadership has emphasised that the initiative is intended to encourage students to remain in academia, improve access to postgraduate education, and strengthen South Africa’s research output.
By providing comprehensive financial assistance, the university aims to make postgraduate study a viable alternative for graduates who may otherwise face long periods of unemployment while searching for work opportunities.
Postgraduate Day at NWU Mahikeng
The announcement was made during NWU’s Postgraduate Day, held at the Mahikeng Campus in partnership with the official Youth Engagement Group of the G20 (Y20). The event was themed “Transdisciplinary and Transformative Research, Building Sustainable Futures” and focused on the critical role of young scholars in addressing global challenges.
The programme underscored the importance of research-driven innovation and how the findings of postgraduate students can influence both national policy and international development, particularly within the context of G20 member states.
Student Perspectives
Postgraduate students at NWU have welcomed the funding initiative, citing the financial barriers that have historically hindered access to advanced degrees. Many students have expressed that, while there is strong interest in continuing studies at the postgraduate level, the lack of adequate financial support has often forced them to prioritise employment over further academic growth.
Building a Stronger Research Future
The university’s decision to fund postgraduate studies represents a significant investment in South Africa’s research and innovation ecosystem. By ensuring that more local students can pursue Master’s and PhD programmes, NWU hopes to address both the national shortage of advanced degree graduates and the long-term need for skilled researchers, academics, and industry innovators.
The funding initiative marks a major step in making postgraduate studies more accessible and equitable, while positioning NWU as a leader in advancing higher education and research capacity in South Africa.
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