SARAO Masters Scholarship

Who can apply

• Be a South African citizen or a permanent resident OR a citizen of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia or Zambia
• Meet 1 of the following criteria
  • Completed or graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Physics and Astronomy/ Astrophysics or Computer Science and Mathematics, since 2025
  • Currently pursuing a BSc Honours degree in Physics and Astronomy/Astrophysics or Computer Science and Mathematics
  • Completed or graduated with a 4-year BEng degree in Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering or Computer Engineering, since 2025
  • Currently pursuing a 4-year BEng degree in Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering or Computer Engineering
• Meet 1 of the following criteria
  • Achieved a minimum average of 65% for your BSc Honours degree in Physics and Astronomy/Astrophysics or Computer Science and Mathematics
  • Achieved a minimum average of 65% for your final year of BEng degree in Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering or Computer Engineering
• Have selected a research project that has been approved by SARAO for Master’s research in 2027, and must upload a signed letter from the relevant supervisor stating that he/she will supervise you

What the bursary covers

Value mentioned: R200 000, R40 000, R25 000

Documents you will need

• ID document, if an SA citizen
• Passport and permanent residence visa, if a permanent resident
• University academic record, from the start of your degree until current and all other degrees completed to date (to be compiled into a single PDF Document)
• Supervisor-agreement letter
• Updated Curriculum Vitae
• Motivational letter (see guidelines above for more information)
• 2 letters of reference (1 must be written by a university lecturer) (see guidelines above for more information)

Full bursary documents checklist

How to apply

1. Check the requirements

   Make sure you meet every requirement listed above. Applications that miss one are usually rejected automatically.

2. Prepare your documents

   Scan clear copies of everything the provider asks for, certified where required.

3. Apply through the official channel
   • SARAO Scholarship Application 2027
   • SARAO Masters Scholarship Guidelines

   Applications must be submitted online at: SARAO Scholarship Application 2027

4. Submit before the closing date

   Usually closes around July. Late applications are almost never accepted.

Applications for the current cycle have closed. This bursary usually opens again each year, so prepare your documents now and check back.

Genuine bursaries never charge an application fee. How to spot bursary scams

Contact the bursary provider

• Email [email protected]

Contact the provider only with questions about this bursary. StudentBursaries.co.za does not process applications.

About SARAO Masters

SARAO is a facility of the National Research Foundation that manages radio astronomy infrastructure, including MeerKAT.