The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is one of the departments of the South African government, responsible for overseeing universities and other post-secondary education in South Africa.
The DHET formed the Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP) in 2020, with the aim of transforming higher education in the country. The national implementation of the programme, one of the Staffing South Africa’s Universities’ Programme (SSAUF), is in partnership with Rhodes University.
ABOUT THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Department of Higher Education and Training is inviting students to apply for the Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP), for the 2024 academic year. The NESP is a 3 year programme that includes a 2 year Master’s degree scholarship, followed by a 1-year academic internship at a South African university.
The scholarship will be awarded for Master’s degree studies at selected universities, in these selected fields:
Cape Peninsula University of Technology:
- Civil Engineering
- Emergency Medical Care
- Electronic Communication and Satellite Technology
Central University of Technology:
- Natural Science
Durban University of Technology:
- Chemistry
- Generic Health Sciences
Mangosuthu University of Technology:
- Mathematics
Nelson Mandela University:
- Information Technology Software Engineering
- Mathematics & Multilingualism: Senior Phase
- Mechatronics
- Naval and Architecture
North West University:
- Movement Education
- Physical Science
- Physics (Electronic/Renewable Energy)
- Public Management and Governance
Rhodes University:
- African Music Studies
- Financial Markets and Quantitative Economics
- Law
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmacy
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University:
- Chemistry (Inorganic)
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Medical Virology
- Midwifery Nursing Science
Tshwane University of Technology:
- Medical Chemistry
- Metallurgical & Material Engineering
- Performance Arts
- Water Science and Technology
University of Cape Town:
- Electrical Engineering
- Organisational Psychology
University of Fort Hare:
- Human Right Law
- Language Education (Multilingualism)
- Speech Language (Pathiology/ Audiology)
University of Johannesburg:
- Chemical Sciences
- Civil Engineering (Civil or Geotechnical)
- Urban and Regional Planning
University of KwaZulu-Natal:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Data Analytics
- Electrical, Electronic or Computer Engineering
University of Limpopo:
- Bioinformatics/ Biochemistry
- Haematology
- Immunology
University of Mpumalanga:
- Development Studies
University of Pretoria:
- Civil Engineering (Geotechnical, Materials, Structural, Water, Transportation)
- Heritage and Cultural Tourism
- Mechanical Engineering
- Pharmacology
- Statistics
- Toxicology
University of South Africa:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Data Engineering
University of Venda:
- Computer Science
- Physics
University of Zululand:
- Life Sciences Education
- Mechanical Engineering
- Statistics
Vaal University Of Technology:
- Biomedical Technology
- Civil Engineering (Transportation-Railway Engineering)
- Nursing
- Sports and Recreation Management
University of the Free State:
- Law
- Optometry
University of the Western Cape:
- Forensic Genetics
University of the Witwatersrand:
- Property Studies
- Science (Microbiology)
- Speech-Language Therapy
Walter Sisulu University:
- Medical Physics
- Zoology
MORE ABOUT THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – RENEWAL & COVERAGE VALUE
Scholars will receive the following benefits:
- Full support for registration and study (for the full 2 years of Master’s study)
- Mentorship
- Support for possible international mobility experience
- Development of your teaching and research experience
- 1 year internship at a university in South Africa, after graduation
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying for the bursary (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must NOT be older than 35 years old
- You must have completed an appropriate NQF level 8 (Honours Degree) qualification
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% for your NQF level 8 qualification
- You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards a Masters degree qualification, in one of the fields listed above
- You must be studying or intend on studying at one of the public South African universities listed above
- You must be eligible to study towards a Master’s degree
- You must be interested in becoming an academic
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP
Cape Peninsula University of Technology:
Central University of Technology:
Durban University of Technology:
Mangosuthu University of Technology:
Nelson Mandela University:
- Information Technology Software Engineering
- Mathematics & Multilingualism: Senior Phase
- Mechatronics
- Naval and Architecture
North West University:
- Movement Education
- Physical Science
- Physics (Electronic/ Renewable Energy)
- Public Management and Governance
Rhodes University:
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University:
Tshwane University of Technology:
University of Cape Town:
University of Fort Hare:
University of Johannesburg:
University of KwaZulu-Natal:
University of Limpopo:
University of Mpumalanga:
University of Pretoria:
- Civil Engineering (Geotechnical, Materials, Structural, Water, Transportation)
- Heritage and Cultural Tourism
- Mechanical Engineering
- Pharmacology
- Statistics
- Toxicology
University of South Africa:
University of Venda:
University of Zululand:
Vaal University Of Technology:
- Biomedical Technology
- Civil Engineering (Transportation-Railway Engineering)
- Nursing
- Sports and Recreation Management
University of the Free State:
University of the Western Cape:
University of the Witwatersrand:
Walter Sisulu University:
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Matric certificate (certified copy)
- Academic transcripts (certified copy)
- Degree certificates (certified copy)
- Proof of registration, if currently studying
- Curriculum Vitae with details of any previous employment (maximum 2 pages)
- Motivational letter (answering the following: why you should be awarded the scholarship, how you think this opportunity will assist in your self-development, contribution you intend to make to your community and society, your career plans and how will this opportunity help to advance them, role you see yourself playing in the higher education sector in the future, any other important factors) (maximum of 30 lines)
- 2 academic references who can attest to your suitability for this programme (make sure that your referees know they will be contacted regarding your application)
CLOSING DATE FOR THE NESP SCHOLARSHIP
5 August.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER
For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact the Department of Higher Education and Training directly:
Contact page: https://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/ContactUsNew.aspx