Key Facts
- Status
- Check Provider for Dates
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
Eligibility Requirements
- Completed, or completing, a qualifying BSc Honours or 4-year BEng degree
- Minimum 65% average
- South African citizen/permanent resident, or citizen of an eligible partner African country
- Approved SARAO Master's research project with a signed supervisor agreement
- Maximum scholarship duration of two years
Documents Needed
- ID document (South African citizens) or passport/visa (permanent residents/eligible foreign nationals)
- Full academic transcript
- Signed supervisor agreement letter for the approved research project
- Updated CV
- Motivational letter
- Two academic reference letters, at least one from a university lecturer
About Sarao Masters Scholarship
The SARAO Freestanding Master's Scholarship is the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory's dedicated funding track for students moving on to Master's-level study and research linked to the MeerKAT radio telescope and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. It sits above SARAO's Honours-level award (listed on this site as the SARAO Postgraduate Scholarship) and is specifically for students who already hold, or are completing, an Honours-level qualification and are moving into a Master's degree.
Applicants must select one of SARAO's pre-approved Master's research projects and secure written agreement from the relevant supervisor before applying - the scholarship is tied to a specific project and supervisor, not a general study allowance.
It is one of the more comprehensive postgraduate funding packages available in South Africa, combining a core award with travel and equipment grants, plus additional support for eligible applicants from partner African countries.
Funding Details
A core award of R200,000, plus a R40,000 travel grant and a R25,000 equipment grant. Eligible students from partner African countries also receive cover of international student fees, an annual return flight, a R20,000 assistive technology allowance, emergency medical insurance, and repatriation cover where required.
Where You Can Study
Not tied to one university - students register for their Master's degree at whichever South African university hosts their approved SARAO research project and supervisor (commonly institutions in the NASSP network and other universities involved in MeerKAT/SKA-linked research).
About South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is a facility of South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF), responsible for managing all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in the country, including …
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
- Students who have completed, or are completing, a BSc Honours in Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computer Science, or Mathematics, or a 4-year BEng in Electronic, Mechatronic, or Computer Engineering
- Minimum 65% average in their final year/Honours degree
- South African citizens and permanent residents, plus citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, or Zambia
- Have selected an approved SARAO Master's research project and obtained supervisor agreement
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from SARAO's Postgraduate Scholarship?
The Postgraduate Scholarship (listed separately on this site) funds the one-year Honours qualification that follows a bachelor's degree. This Master's Scholarship is a separate, higher-value award for students who have already completed Honours and are moving into a Master's research degree.
Do I need a supervisor before I apply?
Yes - you must have an approved SARAO Master's research project and a signed supervisor agreement letter.
How much is the award worth?
A core award of R200,000, plus travel and equipment grants, with additional benefits for eligible students from partner African countries.
Who besides South Africans can apply?
Citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia, in addition to South African citizens and permanent residents.
How long does the scholarship last?
A maximum of two years.
When does the application window open each year?
SARAO typically opens its Master's Scholarship call around April and closes it around July, though exact dates shift each year - check SARAO's Master's Scholarships page directly for the current cycle's dates before applying.
