Key Facts
- Status
- Applications Closed
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
- Application Closes
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Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen or permanent resident
- Studying, or planning to study, one of: Bachelor of Electronic, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronic, or Computer Engineering; BSc Physics and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics; BSc Physics and Electronics; BSc Physics and Astronomy/Astrophysics; or BSc Computer Science and Mathematics/Applied Mathematics
- Engineering applicants: at least 70% for Mathematics in Grade 12, or 65% undergraduate GPA
- Science applicants: at least 70% for Mathematics and Physical Science in Grade 12, or 65% undergraduate GPA
- Scholarship offers based on partial results are revoked if final results fall below the minimum
Documents Needed
- Copy of your South African ID document
- One combined PDF of your final Grade 11 results, latest Grade 12 results, and all university results to date
- Letter of motivation, approximately 500 words, not AI-generated
- Two letters of reference, emailed directly by your referees to study.research@sarao.ac.za (not from family or friends)
About SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) funds Freestanding Undergraduate Scholarships for students studying engineering or physical science degrees connected to radio astronomy. As the organisation behind South Africa's MeerKAT telescope and its role in the international Square Kilometre Array project, SARAO needs a steady pipeline of electronic, electrical, mechanical, and computer engineers, alongside physicists, mathematicians, and computer scientists, to keep its world-class infrastructure running.
Because the scholarship is specifically about building talent for radio astronomy, SARAO asks every applicant to explain in their motivation letter how their chosen degree connects to a career in the field - this isn't a generic engineering or science bursary.
Funding Details
The 2027 scholarship is worth R183,000, plus a once-off laptop grant of R13,000. For Bachelor of Engineering students, support runs for one year if you're in fourth year, two years for third year, three years for second year, and four years for first year. For Bachelor of Science students, support runs one year for third year, two years for second year, and three years for first year.
Where You Can Study
You need to be studying, or planning to study, at a South African university, in one of the nine specific degrees SARAO funds. The scholarship doesn't apply to other engineering or science degrees outside this list, even if they're closely related.
About SARAO
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is a facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF), responsible for South Africa's radio astronomy infrastructure, including the MeerKAT telescope and the countr…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
You need to be a South African citizen or permanent resident, currently studying or planning to study one of nine specific degrees: Bachelor of Electronic, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronic, or Computer Engineering, or a BSc combining Physics with Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Electronics, or Astronomy/Astrophysics, or Computer Science combined with Mathematics/Applied Mathematics.
Engineering applicants need at least 70% for Mathematics in Grade 12, or a 65% grade point average if already at undergraduate level. Science applicants need at least 70% for both Mathematics and Physical Science in Grade 12, or the same 65% undergraduate average. If you're offered a scholarship based on your Grade 11 or partial Grade 12 results and then fail to meet the minimum requirement once your final results are out, SARAO will revoke the offer - the same applies if a current university student drops below 65% at the end of their year of study.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
Applications for this cycle have closed. Check the provider's site for the next intake.
- Closes
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Last verified:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which degrees does the SARAO Undergraduate Scholarship fund?
Nine specific degrees: five engineering fields (Electronic, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Computer) and four BSc combinations pairing Physics or Computer Science with Mathematics, Electronics, or Astronomy.
What marks do I need?
Engineering applicants need 70% for Mathematics in Grade 12 (or 65% undergraduate GPA); science applicants need 70% for both Mathematics and Physical Science in Grade 12 (or 65% undergraduate GPA).
Can I submit more than one application?
No - you may only submit one application.
What happens if my results change after being offered the scholarship?
If you're offered a scholarship based on partial results and then don't meet the minimum requirement in your final results, SARAO will revoke the offer.
How many letters of reference do I need?
Two - family members or friends aren't allowed to write them, and at least one should come from a teacher or lecturer.
Does my motivation letter really matter?
Yes - SARAO calls it critical to your application and specifically asks you not to use AI to write it.
How much is the scholarship worth?
R183,000 for 2027, plus a once-off R13,000 laptop grant.
How do I apply?
Online at nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za - complete your profile, then apply under Undergraduate and Diploma Scholarships.
