Closes
31 May 2026
Value
Up to R50 000 once-off
Level
LLM / Postgraduate
For
Black SA or African law graduates
Sector
Legal & Human Rights
Type
Partial top-up bursary
About this bursary
The South African Journal on Human Rights provides partial financial assistance to postgraduate law students at public universities. This award is structured as a top-up grant with a maximum single payment of R50,000 to assist with study expenses.
Funding supports candidates enrolled in Master of Laws programs focused on human rights, constitutional law, or legal justice. The journal is based at the School of Law at Wits University and works to support academic scholarship in public law.
Selection prioritizes academic performance and financial need. Preference is also extended to graduates who completed their undergraduate law degrees at selected historically disadvantaged universities.
Courses of study covered
What the bursary covers
Who can apply
You qualify if
- Applicants must be Black South African citizens or Black African individuals.
- You must hold a completed LLB degree from a South African university.
- An overall minimum academic average of 65% in your LLB degree is required.
- Candidates must be registered for their first or second year of LLM studies at a public university in South Africa.
- Your research topic or coursework must concentrate on human rights, constitutional, or justice law.
- Preference is given to alumni from the universities of Fort Hare, Venda, Limpopo, Zululand, Western Cape, or Walter Sisulu.
You do not qualify if
- Undergraduate law students cannot apply.
- Applicants with an overall LLB grade average below 65% are ineligible.
- Students registered at private universities or colleges do not qualify.
Documents you need to submit
- Certified copy of South African identity document or passport with permanent residence
- Official academic transcript on official university letterhead
- Updated curriculum vitae
- Contact details for two professional or academic references
- Motivational letter detailing financial need and academic goals
- Recent student fee account statement showing outstanding fees
Provide clear, certified copies of all documents alongside your submission.
How to apply
- 1Gather all mandatory documentation, including certified identity copies and academic records.
- 2Write a motivational letter explaining your academic background and financial situation.
- 3Compose an email addressed to the managing editor at [email protected].
- 4Set the email subject line to SAJHR top-up bursary 2026.
- 5Attach your documentation and send your application before the deadline.
No standard application form is required for this bursary.