The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) School of Arts is inviting qualifying students to apply for a limited number of Gender, Religion and Health Coursework Bursaries for 2027.
The bursaries are linked to the Master of Theology in Gender, Religion and Health coursework programme and are intended for students interested in postgraduate study examining the relationships between gender, religion, health and society.
Applications are currently open and close on Friday, 6 November 2026.
At a glance
| Sponsor / host | University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) School of Arts |
| Programme | Gender and Religion Programme |
| Opportunity type | Postgraduate bursary |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Study level | Master’s |
| Qualification | Master of Theology in Gender, Religion and Health – coursework |
| Number of bursaries | Limited number available |
| Closing date | 6 November 2026 |
| Last verified | 31 October 2026 |
High-value notes (read this first)
- The bursaries are specifically linked to the Master of Theology in Gender, Religion and Health coursework programme.
- Only a limited number of bursaries are available.
- The programme is postgraduate and applicants should have an appropriate Honours-level academic background.
- The Gender and Religion Programme accepts applicants from Theology, Religious Studies and suitably related disciplines with a demonstrated gender focus.
- The official UKZN notice does not publicly state the bursary value or provide a detailed breakdown of the expenses covered.
- The detailed 2027 bursary advert is attached to the official UKZN notice and applicants should read it carefully before applying.
- Applications close on 6 November 2026, leaving a short application window.
About the sponsor
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a South African public university with campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across disciplines including Humanities, Health Sciences, Agriculture, Engineering, Science, Law and Management Studies.
The bursary is offered through UKZN’s School of Arts, which forms part of the College of Humanities. The School includes disciplines such as Theology and Religion, Philosophy, History, African Languages and Literature, Music, Drama and Performance Studies, and Cultural Studies.
Within the School of Arts, the Gender and Religion Programme provides specialised postgraduate teaching and research focused on the relationship between gender, religion, culture and society, with particular attention to African contexts.
The programme aims to create an academic space for critical reflection on the gendered nature and practice of religious traditions. Its work includes teaching, research, mentoring, academic support and community engagement.
University of KwaZulu-Natal:
UKZN School of Arts:
Gender and Religion Programme:
About the Gender, Religion and Health programme
The Gender and Religion Programme offers specialised qualifications at Honours, Master’s and PhD level.
A specialist Master’s programme focusing on Gender, Religion and Health has been offered at UKZN since 2013.
The programme explores how gender and religion intersect with issues affecting individuals, communities and society. This can include areas such as health, sexuality, social justice, cultural practices, faith communities, gender norms and inequality.
Students completing the coursework Master’s undertake taught modules as well as a research component.
Who should consider applying?
The opportunity is particularly relevant to students interested in postgraduate research and professional work involving areas such as:
- Gender and Religion
- Theology
- Religious Studies
- Gender Studies
- Ethics
- Practical Theology
- Religion and Health
- Gender Justice
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Faith-based and community development
General academic background
The UKZN Gender and Religion Programme states that its Master’s programme is generally open to applicants who hold an appropriate Honours degree in:
- Theology
- Religious Studies
- Gender and Religion
- Gender Studies
- Ethics
- Practical Theology
- Another suitably related field with a demonstrated focus on gender
Applicants must still satisfy the specific admission and bursary requirements applicable to the 2027 Gender, Religion and Health coursework bursary call.
What the bursary covers
The official UKZN public notice confirms that a limited number of bursaries are available but does not state the bursary value or provide a detailed public breakdown of the expenses covered.
Applicants should therefore check the attached GRH Bursary Advert 2027 and confirm the funding conditions with the Gender and Religion Programme before assuming that particular expenses such as tuition, accommodation or living costs will be covered.
Documents to prepare
The public UKZN notice does not list the complete supporting-document requirements in its visible text.
Applicants should download and follow the GRH Bursary Advert 2027 attached to the official notice for the definitive application and document requirements.
Because this is a postgraduate bursary, applicants should nevertheless ensure that their current academic and postgraduate admission information is readily available before beginning the application process.
Closing date
Friday, 6 November 2026
The official notice was posted on 30 October 2026, so applicants have a short period in which to review the bursary advert and complete the required application process.
Applicants should therefore begin immediately rather than waiting until the closing date.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming this bursary is available for undergraduate study
- Applying for a postgraduate programme unrelated to Gender, Religion and Health
- Failing to check whether your previous qualification meets the Master’s admission requirements
- Assuming a particular bursary value when UKZN has not stated one on the public notice
- Assuming accommodation or living expenses are automatically covered
- Ignoring the detailed bursary advert attached to the UKZN notice
- Waiting until 6 November 2026 to begin preparing the application
- Submitting an incomplete application
How this opportunity was verified
This opportunity was verified directly from the official University of KwaZulu-Natal Notice System.
The official notice is titled Gender, Religion and Health Coursework – Bursaries 2027 and was posted by the UKZN School of Arts on 30 October 2026.
The notice confirms that a limited number of bursaries are available to qualifying students interested in completing a Master of Theology in Gender, Religion and Health coursework and that applications close on 6 November 2026.
The qualification and academic-background information was also checked against the official UKZN Gender and Religion Programme, which confirms that the specialist Gender, Religion and Health Master’s programme forms part of its postgraduate offering.
How to apply
- Open the official UKZN bursary notice.
- Download the attached GRH Bursary Advert 2027.
- Read the bursary eligibility and application requirements carefully.
- Check that your previous qualification meets the requirements for the Master of Theology in Gender, Religion and Health coursework programme.
- Prepare all supporting documents requested in the bursary advert.
- Follow the submission instructions provided in the official advert.
- Ensure that the complete application is submitted before 6 November 2026.
- Keep copies of the application and supporting documents for your records.