Ruth First Scholarship
University of the Witwatersrand
Ruth First Scholarship is bursary offered by University of the Witwatersrand to South African students studying towards qualifications in commerce, education, law, with study or placement linked to Gauteng. The funder has not published a fixed closing date for this cycle, so check the official page regularly.
Postgraduate scholarship support administered through Wits for students in humanities and social sciences.
The sections below set out who qualifies, what the award covers, which documents you need to prepare and where to submit your application. Every detail is taken from the funder's own published information, and the apply link sends you straight to their official page rather than to a third-party form.
Editor's strategy corner
Teaching funders want to see genuine commitment to the classroom. Describe any tutoring, homework help or Sunday school experience, and be clear about the phase and subjects you want to teach.
Closing date
Check the official page for the closing date
Provinces
Gauteng
Study levels
Honours, Masters, PhD
Citizenship
South African
Institutions
Any accredited SA institution
Verified by our editorial team· last checked 3 Oct 2026
This funder does not publish a public online application form. The link above takes you to their official bursary page, where the current application instructions, forms and email address are posted.
Our assessment of this opportunity
Fewer corporate funders support commerce and education, so this is a narrower but often less crowded opportunity. Use your motivation to show why this field matters to the communities or sector University of the Witwatersrand works in, not only why you need money.
Most company bursaries in South Africa come with a work-back obligation, typically one year of employment for each year funded. Before you accept, confirm the length of the obligation, where you may be placed and what happens if you fail a module, because repaying a bursary in full is a real risk for students who change course.
University of the Witwatersrand does not publish a fixed closing date, which often means applications open for a short window. Bookmark the official page and check it monthly so you do not miss the intake.
There is no public online form linked here, so applications may be by email or only when a call is announced. Never pay anyone to "fast-track" this application; legitimate funders do not charge fees.
Written by the SA Bursary Hub Editorial Team based on the funder's published criteria and our experience reviewing South African funding programmes.
About this bursary
The Ruth First Scholarship is a postgraduate bursary administered through the University of the Witwatersrand. This funding opportunity is specifically designed to support students pursuing studies within the humanities and social sciences. It targets individuals at honours, masters, and PhD levels, making it suitable for South African students committed to advanced academic work in these fields. While open to broader humanities and social sciences, the bursary specifically supports studies in Education, Law, and Commerce.
Eligibility
This bursary is open to South African citizens only. Applicants must be pursuing postgraduate studies at either honours, masters, or PhD level within the humanities and social sciences. While the specific institution is the University of the Witwatersrand, the funding is administered through Wits. Students must be based in Gauteng to align with the funder's location. Prospective applicants should confirm any specific minimum grade requirements on the official application page, as this detail is not provided.
Requirements
To prepare for an application, students should focus on their academic record, particularly in their chosen postgraduate field. Given the focus on Education, Law, and Commerce within humanities and social sciences, a strong academic background in these or related disciplines will be beneficial. As this is for postgraduate studies, prior degrees relevant to the honours, masters, or PhD level are essential. No specific supporting requirements are listed, but applicants should prepare general academic documentation.
Required documents
Applicants should prepare certified copies of their South African identity document to confirm citizenship. Academic transcripts for all prior qualifications, including degree certificates, will be necessary to demonstrate eligibility for honours, masters, or PhD studies. Details on specific supporting documents such as a CV, letters of recommendation, or a research proposal are not provided in the facts. Students should confirm the full list of required documentation on the University of the Witwatersrand's official application page.
Benefits
The Ruth First Scholarship offers postgraduate support. While it provides funding, it is not a full-funding bursary, meaning applicants should be aware that it may not cover all study-related expenses. Students should check the official application page for precise details on what the bursary typically covers, such as tuition fees, accommodation, or stipends. There is no work-back obligation specified for this bursary, so students are not required to render service in return for the funding.
How to apply
Applying for the Ruth First Scholarship involves submitting an application through the University of the Witwatersrand. Students should visit the official Wits application page or postgraduate funding section to access the application forms and detailed instructions. It is crucial to carefully review all application guidelines and ensure all required documents are prepared and submitted correctly. Students must also confirm the exact closing date for applications on the official University of the Witwatersrand application page, as this information is not provided here. Early application is generally advisable to avoid last-minute issues.
Qualification levels
Contact
University of the Witwatersrand handles enquiries directly, use the official application page above to get in touch.
Official source and what we could not confirm
Everything above comes from University of the Witwatersrand's own published material. SA Bursary Hub is an independent information site: we do not award this funding and applications are submitted only through the official channel below.
- Official application page: https://www.wits.ac.za/study-at-wits/financial-aid-and-scholarships-administration/scholarships-and-bursaries/
- Organisation website: https://www.wits.ac.za
Not published by the funder at the time of checking, so we have not shown it: a confirmed closing date, the exact value of the award, a public contact email address. We do not estimate missing details, ask the funder directly if you need them.
Requirements and dates can change during the year, so confirm the full criteria and closing date on the official page before you submit.
SA Bursary Hub editorial team
This listing was written by a person and checked against the funder's own published material before it went live. Last reviewed 3 Oct 2026. How we verify information.
Plan your application
Use this checklist with the verified details above. The official University of the Witwatersrand application page remains the final source for criteria, documents and dates.
Check your fit first
- Your registered or intended course appears within the listed fields: commerce, education, law. Confirm the exact course name on the official page.
- Your study level matches one of the listed levels: Honours, Masters, PhD.
- You meet the listed location requirement: Gauteng.
Prepare the requested evidence
Use the required-documents section above as your checklist. Open every uploaded file to confirm it is readable and follows the portal's format and size rules.
Work backwards from the deadline
No closing date is shown here. Check the official page before starting and do not assume the opportunity is open throughout the year.
Confirm before you submit
- The web address belongs to University of the Witwatersrand or its named application provider.
- The bursary title, closing date and intake year match this listing.
- You understand what is funded and any conditions attached to an award.
- You never pay a person who promises to secure or prioritise an application.