Study Fees

Fees for the current academic year are included in Part 3 of the SU Yearbook. Please note:

• Student fees are set for one academic year; fee structures are subject to change without notice.​

• Additional fee implicants apply when a student exceeds the normal or maximum duration of a programme.

• SU requires that a specified portion of fees must be settled before registration for a particular academic year can occur. Formal written proof that a bursary is due to be paid to your student account by the registration deadline, may in certain cases assist with the lifting of the financial hold to facilitate registration.

Students registered for a doctoral preparatory phase will benefit from significantly lower fees for the first year of work toward the doctorate, though the amount increases if ethics approval is not attained during year 1.

Doctoral students in the FMHS may request the outstanding balance on their student account, or other account information, from Ms Lesanne Matthee ([email protected]​c.za). Specific errors on a PHD student's account may be logged with Ms Anri Engelbrecht ([email protected]). Please CC these emails to [email protected].

International students may request a statement for the purpose of lifting the international block from Tygerberg International, Ms Shanlynn Timm ([email protected]​). Payment must be made well in time to allow sufficient opportunity for registration before the final cut-off date of 27 January for each consecutive academic year; and 27 March when registering for the first time.

All SU staff are welcome to apply for a staff rebate via FMHS Business Management. Email Ms Lezel Fisher ([email protected]). No retrospective applications are accepted - applications must be submitted annually, ahead of the year for which rebate is sought.

​Scholarships and Research Funding

Various bursaries and scholarships are available to PhD candidates - all on a competitive basis. South-African PhD candidates can apply for all available bursaries; among these, the SU Postgraduate Scholarship Programme or Harry Crossley bursary are options open to international students. 

• Postgraduate Funding Office web page - scroll down for scholarship opportunities 

• Find internal SU Bursaries and Loans in the SU Yearbook, Part 2

• View the 2026 Postgraduate Funding Guide

Each of these bursaries on the website have specific conditions which may change from year to year. Should you want to pursue a specific opportunity, please enquire directly to [email protected]. 

With regard to research funding, the most advantageous time to submit an application is usually once you have completed the proposal review process and you have already submitted an application for ethics approval. 

Numerous calls for funding applications are published at this link throughout the year, but concentrated in July to October with a view to your registration in January, ie support for the following academic year. Research degree funding is available from several funding institutions, including the National Research Foundation (NRF), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and private foundations. You may also:

• Consider making use of the opportunities for funding support. 

• Explore our specialist research funding database, ResearchConnect.

Alongside the scholarships that privilege medicine and health sciences studies, certain funding opportunities have not been fully utilised in our faculty. Candidates have disqualified themselves by failing to apply. PhD students with research topics that are inter- or multidisciplinary and include elements of social sciences are encouraged to consider and apply for those funding opportunities that are not restricted to health sciences. For instance, The National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences and HB & MJ Thom Scholarship programme are often overlooked funding opportunities, that are open to South African citizens. Or, the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa call is open to citizens of any sub-Saharan African country doing PhD at an accredited university in South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. These scholarships support studies focused on three thematic areas: Peace, Security, and Development. Health sciences project can be linked to these themes with adequate motivation of the project’s relevance and in particular to development in Africa.

To qualify for calls such as these, pay attention to the call and identify ways to demonstrate the potential social impact of a doctoral study. Social issues are diverse with health components included, it takes a holistic approach when applying or answering calls under social sciences. It is always important to prepare adequately for the application process and attend to the specific requirements of each particular funding opportunity.

Financial Support

South African students from specific household income categories may qualify for funding from the National Student​ Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). 

The SU Work-Study Programme allows students to gain work experience while studying. These students earn a minimal income per month to assist with their financial need. To find out more about the Work-Study Programme, contact Ms Lizzie Witbooi at [email protected].

Allowances

With regard to Intellimali disbursements, please see http://www.intellimali.co.za/. Students may track their stipends for living/food and accommodation via the Intellimali portal. Log in with username [your student number] and password [code]. To achieve this, make sure that your correct cell phone number is captured on the university system (My.SUN > My Profile > My Personal Information > Cell phone numbers), as your code will be sent via SMS to the cell phone number entered on mySUN. A portal will open where you need to enter/capture your bank account details. An email containing a link will be sent to your student email address. Please verify the information in the email by clicking on the link. Should you still experience problems, you may enquire to IntelliMali at tel 0872300161 or email address [email protected].

Student Loans

Should you not be awarded a bursary or scholarship, you may want to consider the common practice among students in professional degrees of taking out a private student loan which is usually repayable upon graduation, when you have started your career. It is not advisable to make use of micro-lenders or informal institutions for this purpose. Financial legislation will protect you and interest rates will be significantly more favourable if you take out a loan from a well established bank licensed in your country of ordinary residence and citizenship.

For more information on possible student loans to South African citizens:

- Please visit this link about independent applications;
- Please enquire about the option to apply for a loan as per the SU FMHS agreement with the relevant bank;
- You are also welcome to enquire about student loan options at your usual, SA Reserve Bank registered bank.

Food Security

Food insecurity continues to be a reality across South African universities. Postgraduate students facing food insecurity may make use of the Tygerberg Pantry Project at [email protected]; or contact Osler commuter student community Tygerberg Postgraduate Student Council.​ 

All students facing hunger qualify for food security support if they do not have funding or if they are partially funded and that funding does not make any provision for food. Process for requesting and receiving food security support via the Centre for Student Counselling and Development:

• Contact the campus social worker at tel 021 927 7020 or [email protected]

• The social worker will conduct an assessment to determine the financial need

• As soon as the assessment process is concluded, student is informed of the kind of assistance that is offered, for example, issuing food vouchers.

   

Giving at the FMHS

Are you motivated to advance excellence and ESG at the FMHS? Rewarding options for philanthropy include:

Promoting Inclusive Access

🕊️ The FMHS Ithemba Bursary Fund, established in 2015, provides critical financial support to students who do not qualify for existing funding structures. Ithemba — meaning “hope” — honours the legacy of the late SU Rector, Prof Russel Botman, whose HOPE Project opened doors for those who might otherwise have been excluded. Contributing to this fund helps sustain that legacy and expand access to transformative education. Please download the donor's form and email the completed form to Candice Egan on [email protected].

Advancing Research Impact

🫁 A GivenGain crowdfunding campaign is raising funds to purchase an Olympus bronchoscope for paediatric use. This instrument will enhance early diagnosis and treatment for tuberculosis and malignancies in young patients and enable vital interventional procedures. Your contribution directly supports cutting-edge research and clinical innovation.

Supporting Student Well-being

🍏 The Tygerberg Pantry Project supplies essential food and toiletries to students experiencing financial hardship, nurturing a culture of care and shared responsibility on campus.

Bank: Standard Bank
Account Name: Stellenbosch University
Reference: Pantry Project KP R5232
Account Number: 073006955
Proof of payment: [email protected]

🩸 In addition, the Tygerberg Postgraduate Student Council, in partnership with the Menstruation Foundation, stocks a sanitary product dispenser in the Tygerberg Student Centre. Click here to donate to this non-profit initiative. 

Recurring donations

🌱Recurring donations provide reliable, sustained support that amplifies the impact of every contribution.

• Please download and complete the donations form and email the complete form to [email protected].
  - Donors in SA, UK and USA will receive tax benefits for gifts in line with the legislation of each country.
  - Please reference H755 with your name and surname.
  - Corporate donations are an excellent opportunity from companies to meet their corporate social investment requirements whilst possibly reaping both tax and BBBEE scorecard benefits. For more information, please contact David Marupen on [email protected].
• For staff payroll giving, please send an email to [email protected] with your SU number, monthly donation amount and duration, for example, SU no 21001200, R200 for 24 months.

A Worthy Legacy

✝️ Leave a lasting legacy by including the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in your will, which will help to promote life-changing research, healthcare, and health professions education well into the future.

✉ I would like to receive information about a possible donation to the FMHS in my will.
✉ I have included the FMHS in my will and would like to be included in the Heritage League.

Your support - whether large or small - helps us turn shared values into tangible impact. Together, we can build a more inclusive, sustainable, and research-rich environment for future generations.