Application Deadline: November 7, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2026 DHET Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme. The Department of Higher Education and Training is pleased to announce the implementation of Phase 2 of the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP). The NESP is a three-year programme that includes a 2 year Master’s scholarship followed immediately by a 1-year academic internship at a recruiting South African university.
OPPORTUNITY 1: HONOURS
There are a total of 10 NESP positions available, and these positions come with scholarships specifically designed for Honours study at South African public universities.
This programme spans four years and includes a one-year- Honours program, followed by a two-year master’s scholarship, along with a one-year academic internship at the host South African university.
To be eligible for any of these positions, the minimum requirement is a completed Level 7 qualification with a minimum of 65% average.
Successful applicants will be expected to start their studies at the beginning of the 2027 academic year.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
1.1 Sports Business and Technology
Rhodes University
1.2 Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Tshwane University of Technology
1.4 Building Science
1.5 Performing Arts
University of the Free State
1.6 Haematology
University of Kwazulu-Natal
1.8 Mathematics
Vaal University of Technology
1.9 Metallurgical Engineering / Mineral Processing
University of Venda
1.10 History
The following two opportunities are available
OPPORTUNITY 2
There are a total of 13 NESP positions that come with scholarships for master’s study at PUBLIC universities in France.
This opportunity is offered in partnership with the French Embassy. Scholars who are selected for this program will spend a two-year period of time studying in France then return to their host South African university to complete a one-year academic internship.
Minimum requirement for all positions is a completed appropriate Level 8 qualification attained with an average of 65%.
Successful candidate will initially receive a provisional NESP scholarship, which is contingent upon their acceptance into a PUBLIC French university. To apply to universities offering master’s programmes in your field of interest, please visit the following link: : https://bit.ly/NESP_FRANCE . Additionally, we recommend that applicants consider applying to multiple public French universities to increase their chances of acceptance.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
2.1 Electronique, Énergie, Électrique, Automotique: Mechatronics
2.2 Marine Science Physical-Oceanography
2.3 Nautical Science
Central University of Technology
2.5 Physics
Durban University of Technology
2.6 Chemical Engineering (Green Energy)
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
2.7 Nanomedicine
2.8 Biostatistics
Tshwane University of Technology
2.9 Management Science (International Food & Beverage Management)
2.10 Nursing
University of Limpopo
2.11 Bioinformatics
Vaal University of Technology
OPPORTUNITY 3
There are a total of 63 NESP positions available, each of which a scholarship for master’s study at South African public universities. Additionally, successful candidates will be required to complete a one-year academic internship at the host South African university.
To be eligible for any of the NESP scholarships, the minimum requirement is a completed appropriate Level 7 (for NESP Honours scholarship) or Level 8 (NESP French and National scholarship) with a minimum 65% grade average.
uccessful applicants will be expected to start their studies at the beginning of the 2027 academic year.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
3.1 Electronic Communication and Satellite Technology
Central University of Technology
3.3 Agrometerology & Soil Science
3.4 Animal Science/ Pasture Science
Nelson Mandela University
3.5 Coding, Robotics& Artificial Intelligence
3.6 Criminal Justice
3.7 Mechatronics
Durban University of Technology
3.8 Accounting with a Focus on Women in Accounting
3.9 Information and Corporate Management
3.10 Video Technology with a Focus on Film & Television
3.12 Chemical Thermodynamics & Modelling Separation Process
Mangosuthu University of Technology
3.14 Environmental Health Public Health
3.15 Mathematics
3.17 Analytical Chemistry
Rhodes University
3.18 Economic&s Finance (Financial Markets& Quantitative Economics)
North-West University
3.19 English
3.20 Physics (Electronics/Renewable Energy)
Sol Plaatjie University
3.21 Retail Business Management
3.22 Archeology
3.23 Creative Writing
Tshwane University of Technology
3.25 Veterinary Epidemiology (Brucellosis Research Focus)
3.26 Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
3.27 Policing
University of Cape Town
3.28 Palliative Care
University of Fort Hare
3.29 Human Rights Law
3.30 Language Education (Multilingualism)
University of KwaZulu-Natal
3.31 Water Resource Engineering
3.32 Climate Medicine Specialist & Epidemiology
3.35 Chemical Engineering
3.36 Electrical/Electronic/Computer Engineering
University of South Africa
3.38 Civil Engineering (2 positions)
University of the Free State
3.40 Business Management with a Focus on Entrepreneurship Research
University of Limpopo
3.41 Applied Mathematics
3.42 Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
3.43 Virology
University of the Western Cape
3.44 Geography
3.45 Statistics (Data Science)
University of Johannesburg
3.47 Food Technology
University of Pretoria
3.48 Veterinary Tropical Diseases
3.50 Speech-Language Pathology
3.51 Engineering, Built Environment & IT (Urban Citizenship)
3.52 Civil Engineering (Geotechnical, Materials, Structural, Water, Transportation)
University of Venda
3.53 Public Health (Health Measurement)
3.54 Business Information Management
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
3.55 Gender Studies
3.56 Agricultural Extension & Rural Development
University of Zululand
3.57 Early Childhood Education
3.58 Language Education: lsiZulu Language
3.59 Clinical Psychology
3.60 Physics
Walter Sisulu University
3.61 Medical Physics
3.63 Civil Engineering (Transport)
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the DHET Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme
