Study in South Africa: Apply for the Stellenbosch University Masters Scholarship for Africans

The Stellenbosch University Scholarship provides financially supported master’s programs in South Africa to qualified African candidates. Selected candidates will get full financing through the Stellenbosch University Scholarship to attend the university’s Master of Artificial Intelligence program in 2024.

When is Application Deadline:

Application Deadline: August 15, 2024.

Tell Me About the Stellenbosch University Masters Scholarship:

The MSc in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence is a one-year structured master’s programme at Stellenbosch University, designed for students with a strong mathematical and computational background. It will equip you with the fundamentals of ML and AI, plus a suite of sophisticated techniques and concepts at the research forefront of these fields.

Which Fields are Eligible?

• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Applied Mathematics,
• Computer Science,
• Mathematics, or Mathematical Statistics;
• Engineering;

Type:

Masters scholarship

Who can Apply for the Stellenbosch University Masters Scholarship?

To be considered for the 2024 Stellenbosch University Scholarship, you must have one of the following qualifications by the time of enrolment:

• An honours degree in Applied  Mathematics, Computer  Science,  Mathematics, or Mathematical Statistics;
• A four-year Bachelor’s degree in Engineering;
• An NQF level 8 qualification deemed equivalent to the above, in a field closely linked to ML and  AI.
• You should also have existing and demonstrable proficiency in Python or an equivalent programming language, and be comfortable with numerical linear algebra, vector calculus, basic probability theory and statistics.
• Though not strictly required, it is highly recommended that you have already completed an introductory course on machine learning.

Which Countries are Eligible?

African countries

Where will Award be Taken?

South Africa

How Many Awards?

Not specified

What is the Benefit of the Stellenbosch University Masters Scholarship?

• A number of full scholarships available for students from Africa. If you complete an application for the programme before 15 August, you will also be considered for a scholarship.
• Successful applicants will be notified in September.

How long is the award?

It is a one-year structured master’s programme at Stellenbosch University.

How to Apply for the Stellenbosch University Masters Scholarship:

Applications for the 2025 intake close on 31 October 2024. A first round of selections and notifications will happen in August/September, so apply early if you can! Please keep in mind that space is limited.

To apply for admission into the MSc programme, follow the steps below.

1. Go to the applicant portal on SUNStudent, create a profile if you haven’t already, and log in.
2. Click on “Programme selection”.
   • Faculty: “Faculty of Science – Stellenbosch”
   • Programme type: “Postgraduate”
   • Programme: “MSc (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence)”, full-time or part-time
3. Complete the required information from the menus on the left panel.
4. Under “Upload documents” you will be asked for:
   • a comprehensive CV and letter of motivationa statement of research interest
   The letter of motivation can be short (1 page), on why you want to complete this programme, what you hope to get out of it, and what you might want to do after the programme. The statement of research interest can be a short (1 page) letter on any specific interests you currently have within the fields of ML and AI.
5. Note that you do not need to identify an academic supervisor. Accepted students will have an opportunity after the start of the programme to speak to potential supervisors and indicate research project preferences. If the SUNStudent system does ask for confirmation of a prospective supervisor, please upload this letter.
6. If you are happy with the terms, submit your application. Note that there may be a small application fee (around ZAR 100).

For general information on the online application process, study fees, support services, and more, follow this link to Stellenbosch University’s website for prospective postgraduate students.

Click Here to Apply

Frequently asked questions About the Stellenbosch University Masters Scholarship

How much does the programme cost?

You can generate a provisional quote here.

Are there scholarships available for this programme?

We do have a small number of full scholarships available for students from Africa. If you complete an application for the programme before 15 August, you will also be considered for a scholarship. Successful applicants will be notified in September.

When will you notify me of the outcome of my application?

If you apply before 15 August, we will notify you in September. If you apply between August 15 and October 31, we will notify you in November.

What is the start date of the programme?

The programme starts in mid-January. Exact dates will be communicated to successful applicants. Note that the programme requires one year of intensive full-time studies. The part-time option allows a student to complete the modules and research project over two years.

How does the part-time option work?

All students must complete 4 core modules, 6 elective modules, and a research project. Part-time students can decide, in consultation with the programme coordinator, how best to split their modules and project over two years. One way might be to complete half of the modules in year 1, and the other half plus the project in year 2.

How many contact hours would there be in a typical week?

Each module might have two or three contact sessions (lectures or practica) per week, on the Stellenbosch campus, and full-time students would typically have two modules at a time. The exact schedule for 2025 will be communicated to successful candidates.

Can I do the programme remotely or online?

No. At the moment, the programme is presented only in-person at Stellenbosch University.

Can you check whether I meet the admission requirements?

Due to large volumes, we won’t be able to perform informal pre-approvals. If you think you might meet the requirements, you are most welcome to submit an application. Your qualifications will be evaluated against the South African system.

I will only complete my current degree at the end of 2024. Can I still apply for the 2025 intake?

Yes! We understand that some students are still busy with their degrees. You can submit an application with the information and transcripts you have on hand. There will be a “conditionally accepted” option, that may admit a student on the condition that they have completed their degrees by January 2025.

I am a research-masters or PhD student at Stellenbosch University. Can I attend some of the lectures?

Yes! Contact us to find out how.