Postgraduate qualifications are the next step for students who have completed their undergraduate studies. These qualifications can be either a diploma, degree, masters or PhD.
Students usually study a postgraduate course in order to extend their knowledge, skills and career development.
Many scholarships and bursaries only fund students for the duration of their undergraduate degree and then students are left to find ways to fund their postgraduate studies.
Here Are Ways To Fund Postgraduate Studies
Student Loans
Many banks and other organisations offer student loans which can fund postgraduate studies. These loans are usually offered at reduced interest rates and students are able to pay them off over long periods of time.
Feenix
Feenix is an online fundraising platform which allows students to fund their studies through crowdfunding. Students are able to set up their own profile on the Feenix site and then they may receive donations from various people until they reach their fundraising goal.
Students are only able to use Feenix to raise funds for the items listed on their university fee statement and they will receive funding for as long as they need help.
Fundi
Fundi is a leading South African Education Finance specialist which strives to help students achieve their dreams, by covering the costs relating to their tertiary education through education loans.
They finance postgraduate qualifications, executive education programmes and MBAs. Their funding also covers outstanding balances, registration fees, laptops, textbooks, study tools, accommodation, as well as uniforms and stationery.
When paying back the loan students are not required to pay collateral and repayments are deducted from your salary or can be paid through debit orders.
Funza Lushaka
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme which promotes teaching as a profession. Thus, the only postgraduate course that is funded by this bursary programme is the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification at an accredited public university.
They cover the cost of tuition, accommodation including meals, books and learning materials.
National Research Fund
The National Research Fund in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation provides scholarships to postgraduate students who plan on furthering their studies in Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities.
Students will either be funded at Full Cost Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS), this will depend on their financial need and academic merit.
