Department of Higher Education & Training NESP Scholarship 2023 | APPLY

DHET is offering students an opportunity to apply for the Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP), for the upcoming academic year 2023.
The Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP), is one of the Staffing South Africa’s Universities’ Programme (SSAUF) and started in 2020.
This is one of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) programmes aiming at the transformation of higher education in the country.
About DHET
DHET, or the Department of Higher Education and Training, is a government organisations in South Africa. It is responsible for supervising post-secondary education and universities in South Africa.
The Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP) was established in 2022 to bring a change in higher education in South Africa.
NESP Scholarship 2022 – 2023
DHET is offering students an opportunity to apply for the Nurturing Emerging Scholar’s Programme (NESP), for the upcoming academic year 2023. The programme is for three years, two years of a Master’s degree and one year of academic internship at a South African institution.
The scholarship is awarded only to the following universities in the fields mentioned below them.
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 (Electronics/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 (Pathology/ 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
The scholarship offers the following benefits:
- Cost of registration and tuition for the Master’s degree.
- Guidance and mentorship.
- Assistance with potential international mobility experience.
- Enhancing your research and teaching abilities.
- A year of internship in South African University after completion of graduation.
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 (Electronics/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:
Documents Required
The candidates must submit the mentioned documents along with the application.
- Certified copy of ID documents.
- Certified copy of Matric certificate.
- Certified copy of Academic records and transcripts.
- Certified copy of degree certificates.
- Registration proof, if currently studying.
- A Curriculum Vitae describing any past work experience.
- A motivational letter describing the following:
- Why should you be chosen for the scholarship?
- How this experience will help in self-development.
- What contribution do you plan on making to your community?
- What are your plans for your career and what role does this scholarship play in those plans?
- What part do you picture yourself playing in the future in the higher education sector?
- Any other important factor you want to mention.
- It should not be more than 30 lines.
- Two academic references from professors who can vouch for your eligibility for this programme. The referees must be aware of the fact that they will be contacted in regard to the application.
Eligibility Criteria
The candidates just check the eligibility criteria before applying for the scholarship.
- The candidate must hold South African citizenship.
- The candidate must not be more than 35 years old.
- The candidate must have successfully achieved a level 8 (Honors Degree) NQF qualification.
- The candidate must have a minimum average score of 65% in their level 8 NQF qualification.
- The candidate must either be currently studying or plan on studying Master’s (full-time) in the fields mentioned above.
- The candidate must either be studying or plan on studying in a South African university.
- The candidate must be eligible for a Master’s degree.
- The candidate must be willing to become an academic.
How to Apply
The applications are to be submitted online via the official site of the DHET.
Closing Date
The applications will be closed on 5 August 2022. Interested candidates must complete the application form before the closing date to avoid rejection of the application.
Contact Details
The candidate can contact the bursary provider directly for any queries regarding the scholarship here:
https://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/ContactUsNew.aspx
Bongani Parker has 4 years experience writing and curating verified entry-level jobs, internships, bursaries and career resources for South African youth. Every month, Scholarly Africa reaches at least 1 million job-seekers in South Africa alone.