Postgraduate Human Rights and Constitutional Law Bursary in South Africa
About the SAJHR Bursary
The South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) is inviting postgraduate students to apply for its LLM top-up bursary programme for the 2026 academic year.
The bursary supports students pursuing postgraduate legal studies focused on:
- Human rights law
- Constitutional law
- Justice-related legal studies
Funding is available to students studying towards an LLM qualification at any public university in South Africa.
Fields of Study Covered
The bursary is awarded to postgraduate students studying towards:
- LLM qualifications
- Coursework and mini-dissertation programmes
- Full research dissertations
Research must focus on constitutional, human rights, or justice-related legal issues.
Bursary Value
The SAJHR bursary is a top-up bursary and does not provide full funding.
The bursary may provide funding of up to:
💰 R50 000
The final funding amount is determined individually based on the applicant’s circumstances and study needs.
The bursary is paid as a once-off contribution towards study-related costs.
Selection Process
Successful applicants may be notified by the end of June 2026.
Applicants who do not receive feedback by this time should consider their application unsuccessful.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements before applying:
- Must be a Black South African or African applicant
- Must have recently completed an LLB qualification at a South African university
- Must have achieved a minimum average of 65% during LLB studies
- Must be registered for an LLM qualification at a public university in South Africa
- Must be in their 1st or 2nd year of LLM study
- Research must focus on human rights, constitutional law, or justice-related legal topics
Preference May Be Given To Students From:
- University of Fort Hare
- University of Venda
- University of Limpopo
- University of Zululand
- University of the Western Cape
- Walter Sisulu University
Preference may also be given to students demonstrating:
- Strong academic performance
- Financial need
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following supporting documents:
- Certified copy of South African ID document
- Certified copy of passport and permanent residency documents (if applicable)
- Full academic transcript
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Contact details for two references
- Motivational letter explaining financial need and academic goals
- Supporting proof of financial need such as student account statements
Applications missing supporting documents may not be considered.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via email.
📧 Email Address: kok.joey@gmail.com
📌 Email Subject Line:
“SAJHR top-up bursary 2026”
No formal application form is required.
Applicants simply need to email the required supporting documents.
Closing Date
📅 Applications close on 31 May 2026.
Late applications may not be accepted.
Contact Information
For bursary-related enquiries, applicants may contact:
👤 Dr Joey Kok (Managing Editor)
📧 Email: kok.joey@gmail.com
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