AOS | Fees & Funding

AOS-SAMOS Fees

The 2025 fees are outlined below and are structured according to the UCT taught Masters fee. Please check the fees handbook towards the end of the January next year for the updated costs for 2026.

 

For South African students:

• Coursework fees BIO5013Z + (BIO501ZF or SEA 501ZF) (2025) = R 36 980
• BIO5015W Minor-Dissertation fees (2025): R 37 780
• Total paid by South African students (2025): R 74 760

 

For SADC students*:

• Coursework fees (2025): R36 980
• Dissertation fees (2025): R37 780
• Non-refundable Administration Service Fee (2025): R5 300
• Total paid by SADC students (2025): R80 060

** “For the purposes of fees - Citizens and Permanent Residents of the SADC countries are treated the same as South African Residents. (Note that study visa regulations, etc. do still apply) The SADC member countries are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.” Extract from UCT Fees Handbook 2024.

 

International students:

There are two bands of International Term Fee: for non-SADC African students and students from the rest of the world (i.e. outside Africa).

 

For students from Africa, but non-SADC countries:

• Coursework fees (2025): R36 980
• Dissertation fees (2025): R37 780
• International fees (2025): R47 600
• Non-refundable Administration Service Fee (2025): R5 300
• Total paid by non-SADC African students (2025): R127 660

 

For International students (outside of Africa):

• Coursework fees (2025): R36 980
• Dissertation fees (2025): R37 780
• International fees (2025): R63 700
• Non-refundable Administration Service Fee (2025): R5 300
• Total paid by international students (2025): R143 730

 

Funding Opportunities

The UCT Post-Graduate funding office (PGFO) administers and supports postgraduate student funding at UCT. The contact information for the various departments is available here.

The PGFO maintain a noticeboard outlining all available funding opportunities here. 

Remember, when applying for funding, we suggest that you take the time to look through the available information before contacting the funding office.  Grants may be available, but applicants need to consider self-funding. Applicants are encouraged to apply for multiple funding opportunities to enhance their chances for success. For instance, if applying for NRF funding, you should also apply for UCT internal funding through the PGFO.

 

1) National Research Foundation (NRF) Funding

You can apply to fund your studies through the existing and upcoming NRF Calls for Masters Funding. 

Call for Applications for DSTI-NRF Funding for 2026

The DSTI and NRF have announced a call for new Master's and Doctoral funding applications for the 2026 academic year, with continuing eligible students required to submit progress reports. Funding is available at Full Cost of Study (FCS) for eligible South African citizens and permanent residents (financially needy, disabled, or exceptional academic achievers) and Partial Cost of Study (PCS) for a limited number of international students and other qualifying South Africans. Applications across Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities must be submitted online via the NRF Connect System, with specific opening and closing dates for students at different study levels.

• Please note that students who want to apply for the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Student Funding for the 2026 Academic Year must do so by 31 August 2025.
• All applicants will be expected to apply online on the NRF Connect system. No manual applications will be accepted. 
• Queries related to specific funding opportunities can be directed  to: postgraduatequeries@risa.nrf.ac.za.

 

*For South African students, stay tuned for more information regarding the NRF-SAMOS Bursaries that will be available for the 2026 programme.

 

Please refer to the Application and Funding Guide and Framework documents when completing the online application form at every step of the process.

• DSI-NRF Master’s and Doctoral application and funding guideline – 2025 (download)
• DSI-NRF Extension Support Master’s and Doctoral application and funding guideline – 2025 (download)
• ALL postgraduate students applying for master’s or doctoral NRF scholarships must upload a recommendation letter from their supervisor/head of department. Because the AOS Masters thesis and supervision are not finalised until the coursework is almost completed, you will require a letter from the course conveners that certify your application to the master program and the necessary supervision in case of acceptance. Download the Supervisor Recommendation Letter Template – 2026 here. Please send a request to AOS.maris@uct.ac.za with the template letter filled in with your details.
• Once completed and signed, it must be included as attachment for the application to be considered complete and for funding support. THE ONUS REMAINS ON THE APPLICANT TO ENSURE THIS DOCUMENT IS COMPLETED AND ATTACHED TO THE NRF APPLICATION. Please note, the Designated Authority (UCT NRF Staff) will stamp the letter during their review period.

 

Note: Any enquiries regarding the NRF calls can also be directed to William Fourie at the UCT Postgraduate Funding Office (PGFO). He can be contacted via email at nrfsupport1@uct.ac.za or by phone at +27 21 650 5629.

Please note that the NRF will only provide limited funding to qualifying international students and additional funding sources will need to be applied for or available. 

 

2) University of Cape Town Funding

Funding for South African Students:

• You can apply for funding directly from UCT by completing the Postgraduate Funding Application as part of your application for admission to UCT. Please refer to the Postgraduate Funding Office (PGFO) for details.
• The closing dates for the different bursaries and scholarships differ; please consult the Funding Noticeboard or contact the PGFO for more information on the closing dates.

Funding for International Student

• UCT offers a LIMITED number of scholarships available for international and refugee students. UCT international and refugee student scholarships are NOT full-cost awards due to limited funding. Please obtain sufficient funding from other sources. Before applying to the Postgraduate Funding Office for funding, you must submit your UCT admissions application.
• Information and the Application Form for funding (10C) can be sourced from the Postgraduate Funding Office or from the Office’s website.
• The closing date for applications for UCT international and refugee students’ scholarships and supporting documentation is TBC.
• Please return the completed Form 10C directly to the Postgraduate Centre and Funding Office.
• Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.