South Africa University of Pretoria Commonwealth Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded)

The University of Pretoria (UP) has officially announced the opening of applications for the 2026 UP Commonwealth Scholarship for Doctoral Studies. This prestigious opportunity is designed to support outstanding students from Commonwealth countries who wish to pursue their PhD studies in South Africa at one of the country’s leading research institutions.

• Funding Type: Bursary/Scholarship

• Sponsor: UP Internal Bursary

This fully funded PhD scholarship in South Africa provides international candidates with the chance to join one of Africa’s top universities and contribute to impactful global research.

•  Doctoral (PhD)

Applicants may apply to a wide range of academic disciplines at UP, including:

• Faculty of Law

• Faculty of Humanities

• Faculty of Education

• Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT

• Faculty of Health Sciences

• Faculty of Veterinary Science

• Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

• Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

• Faculty of Theology and Religion

Students from Commonwealth countries (South Africans are not eligible)

To qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth PhD Scholarship at UP, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Must have completed a Master’s degree at least two years prior to applying for admission in 2026.

2. Applicants must be younger than 38 years old at the time of application.

3. Current or former Master’s and Doctoral students of UP are not eligible.

4. Must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country (except South Africa).

Why Choose the University of Pretoria?

The University of Pretoria is internationally recognized for its high-quality research, world-class faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. As a Commonwealth PhD scholar, you will benefit from academic mentorship, advanced research resources, and a supportive international student community in South Africa.

Interested candidates should carefully review the official Bursary Conditions PDF provided by UP before applying. Applications must be submitted within the official dates: 29 July 2025 – 20 September 2025.