Stellenbosch University Residential PhD Scholarships 2025: Apply Now!

About the Stellenbosch University Residential PhD Scholarships 2025

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with the Gerda Henkel Foundation, is excited to announce the availability of a limited number of full-time scholarships for individuals pursuing their PhD studies. The Graduate School plays a pivotal role in coordinating a partially-structured, full-time doctoral scholarship program and manages the distribution of these scholarships. Additionally, the Graduate School oversees the coordination of multi- and interdisciplinary research themes within the doctoral program, aiming to equip Africa’s future academics and professionals to effectively address the continent’s most pressing challenges, such as the eradication of poverty and the promotion of peace and democracy.

The program strongly encourages collaborative research, as well as (co)supervision and exchange opportunities, which are facilitated through the PANGeA (Partnership for Africa’s Next Generation of Academics) initiative. This initiative involves partnerships with leading universities across Africa, providing valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and academic development. Scholarships are available for research projects in fields of research supported by departments/centres in the Arts and Social Sciences Faculty.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants from African countries. Priority will be given to qualifying candidates from PANGeA partner institutions.
Applicants should have obtained 70% in the final year of the previously completed degree.

Applicants are expected to provide a sample of their writing with their application:
- MA thesis for PhD applicants
- Any published academic articles related to your application

At the date of application, applicants must be at most 35 to apply for a PhD scholarship.
Applicants must be able to commence studies in February 2025
Applicants must apply to study at Stellenbosch University in addition to this scholarship application.

Applicants are required to contact the department that they intend studying in and to obtain a letter of support indicating that there is supervisory capacity for their research project. This letter of recommendation must be submitted as part of this application.
Applicants from institutions within the PANGeA network, must obtain a nomination letter from their institution and submit the letter as part of this application.

Selection Criteria

Scholarships shall be awarded to eligible candidates taking the following factors into account:

On an individual level:

High academic merit and the intellectual capacity to study successfully at the doctoral level.
Strong personal motivation to complete the programme.

The extent to which the proposed topic of study fits into the research programme of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Availability of suitable supervisors for the proposed topic of study.
Candidates who are below the age of 40. Although applicants over 40 may be considered, preference will given to younger scholars.

On a collective level:

Gender equity.
To enhance compatibility of university and linguistic backgrounds, preference will be given to applicants from African countries south of the Sahara.

Among the South African component of scholarship applicants, CBI (Coloured, Black and Indian) applicants will be given preference, provided that they meet all the other requirements.
Among the non-South African component of scholarship applicants, applicants whose nominations are supported by officials of the PANGeA institutions (universities of Botswana, Dar es Salaam, Ghana, Makerere, Malawi, Nairobi and Yaoundé I) will be given preference, provided that they meet all the other requirements.

Applicants are advised that the University may require additional information, over and above information supplied in the application, in order to reach a decision about the suitability of any candidate for the award of a scholarship.

Benefits of the Stellenbosch University Residential PhD Scholarships 2025

PhD scholarships: Up to R420 000, over three years.
Lower values may be allocated where successful applicants hold other scholarships amounting to less than the maximum value of the Graduate School scholarship.

How to Apply

Bear in mind that the deadline for applications is August 1, 2024. Interested applicants should click the link provided below to apply but first, prepare the following:

Official application form
A motivation letter (not longer than 600 words);
A pre-proposal (or research idea) of no more than 500 words describing your proposed research question and conceptualization. You should discuss the unique contribution your research will make to the existing body of knowledge in this field of study, the problem statement, the methodology / theoretical framework / philosophical underpinnings you intend to use; and the feasibility of your study.

A certified copy of your full academic transcript;
A certified copy of your MA degree certificate – or foreign equivalent (if you have completed the qualification but have not yet obtained the certificate, official proof from the institution concerned that the degree will be delivered before February 2024);
A certified copy of your South African ID /or passport (for international students).