Introduction
South Africa’s higher education system grapples with funding challenges for postgraduate studies, intertwined with academic and financial exclusion that disproportionately impacts marginalized students. The #FeesMustFall movement of 2015 spotlighted these issues, demanding affordable education. Yet, nearly a decade later, equitable funding remains elusive, raising questions about access and equity.
State of Funding for Postgraduate Studies
Funding for postgraduate studies is vital for research, innovation, and social mobility but poses a significant barrier. Postgraduate education is costly, with tuition, accommodation, and living expenses often beyond the reach of low-income households. A 2016 Africa Check estimate cited first-year tuition at R28,000–R50,000 annually, likely higher now with inflation. Research-intensive postgraduate programs are even pricier. Funding sources include the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), university bursaries, private sponsorships, and loans. NSFAS focuses on undergraduates, offering limited postgraduate support, such as for Postgraduate Certificates in Education. The National Research Foundation (NRF) provides competitive scholarships, but demand outstrips supply. Private bursaries from Nedbank or Capitec target industry-relevant fields, often requiring post-graduation employment.
Academic and Financial Exclusion
Academic and financial exclusion, rooted in South Africa’s apartheid legacy, create layers of disadvantage. Academic exclusion, driven by poor performance, impacts retention, with only 52% of students completing a three-year degree within six years (Council on Higher Education, 2019). Historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) face higher dropout rates than historically white institutions (HWIs) due to underfunding and limited support. Students from underprivileged backgrounds struggle with inadequate high school preparation, language barriers, and lack of mentoring. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, with online learning increasing failure rates. Mental health challenges, with 24.7% of students screening positive for depression (2019 study), worsen academic exclusion, especially for first-generation students. Financial exclusion hits the “missing middle”—students ineligible for NSFAS but unable to afford fees—hardest. Protests at UCT and UWC in 2023 highlighted students barred from registering due to unpaid fees. Tuition (4.7% increase in 2021) and accommodation costs (6.7%) outpace inflation, while NSFAS grapples with late disbursements and potential cuts. At UJ, 59% of students are from disadvantaged backgrounds, yet postgraduate funding, especially in humanities, is scarce. Financial hardship, like food insecurity (65% of University of the Free State students), undermines academic performance, perpetuating a cycle with academic exclusion. The Department of Higher Education and Training’s 2023 loan scheme and the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP), with an 88% progression rate, target this group. However, NSFAS’s operational issues and declining state funding (40% of higher education costs by 2012) limit progress.
Conclusion
A Question for the Future. Progress has been made, but postgraduate funding and exclusion remain critical challenges. Can South Africa’s government, universities, and private sector unite to create a sustainable, inclusive funding model that ensures all students thrive? Or will systemic inequalities continue to limit the nation’s potential, leaving aspiring scholars behind? The answers lie in our collective commitment to change—will we rise to the challenge?
