Dept of Higher Education and Training (DHET): Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP) [x88 posts]

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) invites students to apply for Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP) 2024 academic year.

Scholarship Application Closing Date: 31 October 2023

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has opened applications for the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP) 2024. This program is designed to support postgraduate students who are interested in pursuing an academic career. Here are the key details and requirements for NESP:

Programme Overview:

• NESP offers a structured postgraduate study and development opportunity, which is a stepping stone into an academic career.

About NESP:

• NESP is a three-year programme that includes a 2-year Master’s scholarship followed immediately by a 1-year academic internship at a recruiting South African university.
• It’s a program for individuals planning to embark on a Master’s degree and considering a career in academia.
• Phase 2 of NESP is being implemented by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

NESP Programme Requirements: To qualify for the NESP programme, you must:

• Have a genuine interest in becoming an academic.
• Be 35 years or younger.
• Be a South African citizen.
• Hold a relevant honor’s degree with a minimum average of 65%.
• Show eligibility for postgraduate studies at the Master’s level.
• Be committed to placement at the recruiting university for the entire three years of the program (two years of studying and one year of internship).

Benefits of Participating in NESP: Participating in the NESP program will provide the following benefits:

• The opportunity to register and study for a full-time Master’s degree at a university of your choice.
• Full support through a scholarship for up to two years.
• An opportunity to undertake a one-year internship at a South African university after completing the Master’s degree.
• Mentorship throughout your participation in the development program.
• Support for potential international mobility experiences.
• Development of teaching and research abilities.

Available Opportunities: Under NESP Phase 2, two opportunities are available. The specific details about these opportunities should be provided in the program’s official documentation.

Be sure to carefully review the application process and submission deadlines provided in the official program information. This is a valuable opportunity for those interested in pursuing an academic career in South Africa.

OPPORTUNITY 1: HONOURS [x4 POSTS]

There are a total of 4 NESP positions available, and these positions come with scholarships specifically designed for Honours study at South African public universities.

This programme spans four years and includes a one-year- Honours program, followed by a two-year master’s scholarship, along with a one-year academic internship at the host South African university.

To be eligible for any of these positions, the minimum requirement is a completed Level 7 qualification with a minimum of 65% average. To apply, please click on the position below. 

• North-West University
  • 1.1  Movement Education
• Rhodes University
  • 1.2. Music and Musicology
• Tshwane University of Technology
  • 1.3 Performing Arts: Music
• University of Mpumalanga
  • 1.4 Developmental Studies

Closing date for applications: 31 October 2023. Successful applicants will be expected to start their studies at the beginning of the 2024 academic year.

OPPORTUNITY 2 [x14 POSTS]

There are a total of 14 NESP positions that come with scholarships for master’s study at PUBLIC universities in France.

This opportunity is offered in partnership with the French Embassy. Scholars who are selected for this program will spend a two-year period of time studying in France then return to their host South African university to complete a one-year academic internship.

Minimum requirement for all positions is a completed appropriate Level 8 qualification attained with an average of 65%.

To apply please click on the position below.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

• 2.1 Technology & Robotics
• 2.2 Marine Science Physical-Oceanography
• 2.3 Nautical Science

Central University of Technology

• 2.4 Natural Sciences
•  2.5 Physics

Durban University of Technology

• 2.6  Chemical Thermodynamics & Modelling Separation
• 2.7 Biotechnology& Food Technology

Mangosuthu University of Technology 

• 2.8 Biomedical Science

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

• 2.9 Phytochemistry 

Tshwane University of Technology

• 2.10 Health Sciences

University of the Western Cape

• 2.11 Statistics (Data Sciences)

University of Zululand 

• 2.12 Human Movement Sciences (Biokinetics)

Walter Sisulu University

• 2.13 Transport & Highway Engineering
• 2.14 Statistics 

Closing date for applications: 31 October 2023

Successful candidate will initially receive a provisional NESP scholarship, which is contingent upon their acceptance into a PUBLIC French university.

To apply to universities offering master’s programmes in your field of interest, please visit the following link: : https://bit.ly/NESP_FRANCE . Additionally, we recommend that applicants consider applying to multiple public French universities to increase their chances of acceptance.

Don’t forget to register for a Zoom Webinar on this link, which is scheduled for 9 October, 2023, at 5pm. You can access a recording of the session here.

OPPORTUNITY 3 [x70 POSTS]

There are a total of 70 NESP positions available, each of which a scholarship for master’s study at South African public universities. Additionally, successful candidates will be required to complete a one-year academic internship at the host South African university.

To be eligible for any of the NESP scholarships, the minimum requirement is a completed appropriate Level 7 (for NESP Honours scholarship) or Level 8 (NESP French and National scholarship) with a minimum 65% grade average.

To apply please click on the position below. 

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

• 3.1 Engineering Management
• 3.2 Civil Engineering
• 3.3 Electronic Communication and Satellite Technology
• 3.4 Emergency Medical Care

Central University of Technology

• 3.5. Life Sciences
• 3.6 Human Resources Management

Durban University of Technology

• 3.7 Biomedical Engineering
• 3.8 Chemical Thermodynamics & Modelling Separation Processes
• 3.9  Water Engineering

Mangosuthu University of Technology

• 3.10 Electrical Engineering
• 3.11 Mechanical Engineering
• 3.12 Mathematics

Nelson Mandela University

• 3.13 Materials & Structural Engineering
• 3.14 Information Technology Software Engineering
• 3.15 Mechatronics

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

• 3.16 Phytochemistry
• 3.17 Nursing Education 
• 3.18 Chemistry (Inorganic)
• 3.19 Clinical Pharmacy

Rhodes University

• 3.20 Anthropology
• 3.21 Law
• 3.22 Journalism & Media Studies
• 3.23 Zoology & Entomology
• 3.24 Medical Chemistry

Stellenbosch University

• 3.25 Viticulture

Tshwane University of Technology

• 3.26 Architecture
• 3.27 Constructive Engineering
• 3.28 Geology
• 3.29 Policing 

University of Cape Town

• 3.30 Medicine
• 3.31 Palliative Care
• 3.32 Law
• 3.33 Organisational Psychology

University of the Free State

• 3.34 Public Administration & Management
• 3.35 Public Administration & Management

University of Johannesburg

• 3.36 Sustainable Urban Planning & Development
• 3.37 Anthropology & Developmental Studies
• 3.38 Palaeo-Studies

University of KwaZulu-Natal

• 3.39 Structural Engineering
•  3.40 Electrical engineering
• 3.41 Geography focused on Geospatial Sciences
• 3.42 Chemical Engineering
• 3.43 Civil Engineering
• 3.44 Electrical, Electronic or Computer Engineering

University of Limpopo

• 3.45 Chemical Pathology
• 3.46 Microbiology/Biotechnology/Marual Wine Production
• 3.47 Mathematics
• 3.48 Virology/Microbiology/SARS-COV 2 and COVID Research 

University of South Africa

• 3.49 Geomatic Engineering/Mine Surveying
• 3.50 Agricultural Economics
• 3.51 Biotechnology
• 3.52 Data Engineering
• 3.53 Biomedical Engineering
• 3.54 Biomedical Engineering
• 3.55 Civil Engineering

University of Zululand 

• 3.56 Geography
• 3.57 Curriculum & Instructional Studies 
• 3.58 Statistics
• 3.59 Life Sciences Education

University of Pretoria 

• 3.60 Mathematics of finance
• 3.61 Anatomy
• 3.62. Toxicology (Veterinary Sciences)
• 3.63 Civil Engineering (Geotechnical, Materials, Structural, Water, Transportation)

Vaal University Of Technology 

• 3.64 Biomedical Technology
• 3.65 Civil Engineering (Transportation-Railway Engineering)
• 3.66 Sports and Recreation Management

University of the Witwatersrand

• 3.67 Speech-Language Therapy 

Walter Sisulu University

• 3.68 Accounting
• 3.69 Mathematics

University of the Western Cape

• 3.70 Biotechnology (Forensic Genetics) 

Closing date for applications: 31 October 2023. Successful applicants will be expected to start their studies at the beginning of the 2024 academic year.