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Postgraduate top-up bursaries

The South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) awards one or more top-up bursaries annually to the maximum value of R50 000 each to LLB graduates pursuing LLM studies dealing with constitutional, human rights and/or justice-related issues in any field at any South African public university. The SAJHR will determine the specific amount awarded to each successful applicant on a case-by-case basis.

The bursary award is a once-off payment to assist eligible students to cover the costs of their study.

ABOUT THE JOURNAL

Founded in 1985 by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) and housed at the School of Law, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, the SAJHR is the leading South African public law journal, publishing scholarship of the highest standard for a worldwide readership. The journal is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship on human rights, constitutional and justice-related law in South Africa. 

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants for this bursary must meet the following criteria:

  • Black South African or African;
  • Recently graduated with an LLB from a South African university. Particular preference will be given to candidates from one of the following universities: University of Fort Hare, University of Venda, University of Limpopo, University of Zululand, University of the Western Cape and Walter Sisulu University;
  • An academic average of at least 65%;
  • Registered for LLM at a South African public university in their first or second (final) year of studies;
  • Completing coursework and research report/mini-dissertation or full research dissertation in the broad field of constitutional, human rights and/or justice-related law.

Preference will be given to academically deserving applicants with demonstrable financial need.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a CV, certified copy of South African ID, or passport and study permit, details of two contactable references, full academic transcript, a letter of motivation indicating financial need as well as any relevant supporting documents (student account statement, for example) via email to SAJHR managing editor Dr Joey Kok at kok.joey@gmail.com. Please use the subject line ‘SAJHR top-up bursary 2026’. Please send any queries to Dr Kok.

CLOSING DATE: 31 May 2026

The successful candidates will be notified by the end of June 2026.

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