Wits University Postgraduate Merit Award

The University Postgraduate Merit Award (PMA) is designed to support outstanding graduates pursuing full-time Honors, Masters, or PhD degrees by research or a combination of coursework and research at the University of the Witwatersrand. It provides tuition fee coverage up to a maximum of R71,900 annually, determined solely by academic merit and subject to fund availability. Full-time recipients are also eligible for stipends of R5,900 per teaching block (four blocks per year), contingent upon completing mandatory academically-related departmental duties of 6 hours per week per block. Stipend submissions for 2026 are scheduled for March 18, May 15, September 1, and October 23. The award does not cover international registration fees, clubs, societies, parking, or other non-tuition costs, and excludes certain programs such as professional degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and part-time study.

Awards are granted automatically without a separate application process; eligibility is assessed upon receipt of a firm admission offer across four intakes (January, April, July, September). Allocations appear on the student's fee statement by the end of March, with no appeals permitted. Students may decline by emailing a letter to the Financial Aid Office. Renewals require sustained academic performance, with maximum funding caps per level: PhD R318,500 (up to 4 years), Masters R248,000 (up to 3 years), Honors R203,400 (up to 2 years). Funding may be adjusted if combined with other bursaries like NRF to adhere to limits.