The Nigel & Judith Weiss Educational Trust (NJWET) Support is a one-year award for eligible students undertaking a first Honours degree in Science at UCT. The official UCT noticeboard lists the 2027 opportunity as open, with applications due by 10 November 2026. Applicants must use UCT’s online postgraduate funding application and email a separate motivational letter.
Closing date: 10 November 2026
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: Nigel & Judith Weiss Educational Trust
- Opportunity type: Postgraduate bursary
- Who it’s for: Students applying for a first Honours degree in Science at UCT who meet the academic and financial-need criteria. South African applicants are preferred; permanent residents are also eligible.
- Study level: Honours
- Location: University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
- Academic year: 2027
- Closing date: 10 November 2026
- Last verified: 2026-10-05
High-value notes (read this first)
The award is for a first Honours degree in Science and requires at least 60% in the applicant’s undergraduate degree.
Applicants must have been on a financial-aid programme or demonstrate need.
South African applicants are preferred; permanent residents are also eligible. Gender and race are unrestricted in the award terms.
Preference is given to applicants wishing to become educators, applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds (particularly women), previous NJWET beneficiaries, and students studying pure or applied mathematics. Natural sciences are not excluded.
Awardees are expected to meet the NJWET trustees near the end of the course, give a brief presentation, and provide a short written report and letter of thanks.
The award terms state a one-year tenure.
About the sponsor
The Nigel & Judith Weiss Educational Trust is the named sponsor of this Honours award. The official award terms identify the Trust’s registration number and trustees and state that UCT’s Postgraduate Funding Office verifies applications before submitting eligible applicants to the Trust.
Official source: UCT-hosted NJWET Honours award terms (official PDF)
Official source: UCT Bursary and Loan NoticeBoard
Official source: UCT merit and need awards – postgraduate funding
What it covers
The award may cover course fees plus study materials, an electronic device, food, travel and accommodation. The listed non-fee costs are up to a maximum of R130,000; the award value is determined by UCT’s Postgraduate Funding Office (PGFO).
Eligible fields
- Honours in Science; mathematics (pure or applied) is preferred, and natural sciences are not excluded.
Eligibility
- Apply for a first Honours degree in Science.
- Have achieved 60% or above in your undergraduate degree.
- Have been on a financial-aid programme or demonstrate financial need.
- South African citizenship is preferred; permanent residents are eligible.
- Preference is given to applicants aiming to become educators, applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds (particularly women), previous NJWET beneficiaries, and students studying pure or applied mathematics. Natural sciences are not excluded.
Documents to prepare
- A separate motivational letter emailed to pgfunding@uct.ac.za. NJWET suggests covering your background and financial need, fit with the award requirements, study motivation, future plans after the qualification, and something unique about yourself.
- Other supporting documents are not specified in the NJWET award terms or the current UCT noticeboard listing; check the online application for any required uploads.
Closing date
10 November 2026
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not submit only the online funding application: the current UCT noticeboard also requires a separate motivational letter by email.
- Do not treat South African citizenship as an absolute requirement: the award terms state that South Africans are preferred and permanent residents are eligible.
- Do not assume that every science discipline or postgraduate level is covered: the award is for Honours in Science.
- Do not overlook the stated 60% undergraduate-degree minimum, first-Honours-degree condition, or demonstrated financial need/previous financial-aid condition.
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against the official UCT NJWET award terms, UCT funding noticeboard and UCT postgraduate funding page on 5 October 2026.
How to apply
- Check that you meet the award conditions: first Honours degree, Honours in Science, at least 60% in your undergraduate degree, and previous financial-aid support or demonstrated need.
- Submit the 2027 UCT Postgraduate Online Funding Application through the UCT PeopleSoft Student Portal by 10 November 2026.
- Email a separate motivational letter to pgfunding@uct.ac.za by the same deadline. The UCT noticeboard identifies this as a separate submission.
- In the letter, address your background and financial need, why you meet the award requirements, your study motivation and plans after completing the qualification. NJWET also invites applicants to include something unique about themselves.
- If selected, be prepared to attend a meeting with the NJWET trustees and provide a brief written study-outcome report and a letter of thanks at the end of the course.