Stellenbosch University GEM Scholarships for PhD Students in South Africa

Universiteit Stellenbosch Information

Stellenbosch University GEM Scholarships for PhD Students Established in 1918, Universiteit Stellenbosch (University of Stellenbosch) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Stellenbosch (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Western Cape. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Tygerberg, Bellville, Saldanha. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, Universiteit Stellenbosch is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 25,000-29,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Universiteit Stellenbosch offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 101 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the minimum criteria to be considered for a scholarship:

A candidate has to meet the minimum criteria for admission to a PhD at Stellenbosch University. This requires a master’s degree in the relevant discipline or, in exceptional circumstances, an equivalent qualification.

Candidates must have achieved a grade of 65% in their master’s programmes.

Candidates must be under forty years of age when the programme commences in January.

Only applications in one of the Faculty’s Research Themes will be considered.

All students who meet the below criteria will be considered.

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply for the 2023 cohort of the Graduate School:

Read the criteria for eligibility stated above.

Download and fill in the Application Form GEM_2022-Application.docx

You will be required to write a letter motivating your suitability for the scholarship (maximum length: one A4 page), as well as a research concept note (no maximum length) on one or more selected research topics or problems which you intend to study in the course of your doctoral programme. These should be completed on the application form in the relevant sections.

Please consult the 2022 Research Themes to guide you in choosing a research topic. Research topics outside the listed research themes can be accommodated only if it falls within the current research themes that are active in one of the Faculty's academic departments.

Please note that scholarships can only be awarded where the Faculty is able to appoint a suitable supervisor for the topic to be studied.

Submission of an application does not guarantee entry. There are limited scholarships available and awards are made on a competitive basis.

The Graduate School reserves the right to not award any scholarships.

Please ensure that your three references are informed that their referee reports stating your capability to complete doctoral studies should be sent directly to the Graduate School via email ( ) on or before 1 August 2022.

Send your completed application form electronically to:

Any queries regarding the application process can be sent to

Stellenbosch University GEM Scholarships for PhD Students

Universiteit Stellenbosch Information

Eligibility Criteria

Offered Benefits

Application Process

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