Can Nsfas Fund You For A Second Degree 2025/2026

Can Nsfas Fund You For A Postgraduate Second Degree 2025/2026

Exploring Funding Options for Further Education:

A second-degree course refers to pursuing an additional undergraduate or postgraduate degree program after completing an initial degree. Students often choose to undertake a second degree to gain specialized knowledge, enhance their skills, or increase their employability in their chosen field.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded organization that provides financial assistance to underprivileged students in South Africa. With many students considering pursuing a second degree to enhance their skills and employability, it is essential to understand if NSFAS can fund this level of education in the 2024/2025 academic year. This article will explore NSFAS funding for second degrees and discuss alternative financial assistance options.

Can NSFAS Fund You for a Second Degree in 2025/2026

• NSFAS usually does not provide funding for students pursuing a second degree, unless the second degree is in a specific field that is in high demand or has been identified as a priority by the government. The primary focus of NSFAS is to support students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree or diploma.

Read: Nsfas supporting documents

List of Undergraduate Courses Funded By Nsfas 2025/2026

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial assistance to eligible South African students pursuing undergraduate courses at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. NSFAS funding covers a wide range of fields and disciplines.

While it is not feasible to provide an exhaustive list of all undergraduate courses funded by NSFAS, the following categories give an overview of the types of programs eligible for funding:

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses:

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in various fields, such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, and Geology
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in disciplines like Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, and Industrial Engineering

Health Sciences courses:

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS or MBChB)
• Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.Cur or BNSc)
• Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

Commerce and Business courses:

• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in areas like Accounting, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, and Marketing
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Humanities and Social Sciences courses:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in subjects such as Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, History, and Languages
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
• Bachelor of Education (BEd)

Law courses:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Creative Arts and Design courses:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
• Bachelor of Music (BMus)

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses:

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programs
• Report 191 programs (NATED)

Can Nsfas Fund You For A Postgraduate Second Degree 2025/2026

NSFAS does fund postgraduate students. However, only select courses are funded. If the second qualification is a professional requirement for employment, then it will be funded. Even if NSFAS funded these students for their first degree, there is no guarantee that they will be funded for their second qualification.