DHET Bursaries for International Study 2026: Government Funding Most SA Students Never Find
The Department of Higher Education and Training funds South African students for international mobility through bilateral government scholarships, university partnerships, and scarce-skills programs. Here is how to access these channels in 2026.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) does not hand out individual bursaries for international study the way NSFAS does for domestic university costs. But it does provide substantial funding for South African students to go abroad, through bilateral government scholarship agreements, university-level mobility co-funding, and scarce-skills postgraduate programs. The challenge is that almost none of this funding is publicised to individual students. It flows through institutions, not directly to students.
This guide explains how DHET-linked international funding actually works in 2026, which countries have active bilateral agreements, how to access funding through your university, and how it compares to Erasmus+ ICM and NRF options.
How DHET International Funding Works: The Channel Structure
DHET operates at the policy and intergovernmental level. It signs bilateral education agreements with foreign governments, negotiates university partnership frameworks, and sets the strategic direction for South Africa's higher education internationalisation. It does not typically write cheques directly to individual students.
Funding reaches students through three main channels:
- Channel 1: Bilateral government scholarships. DHET, sometimes jointly with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), administers scholarship slots negotiated with foreign governments. Students apply through their universities or through DHET's scholarship portal when calls are open.
- Channel 2: University international office distribution. DHET provides block grants to universities specifically for international mobility. Each university decides how to allocate these internally. This is why universities like UCT, Wits, and Stellenbosch have their own "international mobility bursaries" that appear independent but are partly co-funded by DHET.
- Channel 3: NSFAS international supplement (limited). NSFAS-funded students at certain universities may access a supplementary international mobility grant for approved short programs abroad, subject to availability. This is not widely publicised and is at the discretion of individual institutions.
DHET Bilateral Scholarship Programs: Country by Country
The following bilateral scholarship agreements are active for South African students in 2026. Amounts are indicative and may vary by cohort year.
| Country | Program | Monthly Support | Focus Areas | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | CSC-DHET Scholarship | CNY 2,500-3,500 (~R7,500-10,500) | Engineering, science, medicine, agriculture | UG, PG, PhD |
| Hungary | Stipendium Hungaricum | EUR 300-460 (~R5,700-8,700) | All disciplines, strong in STEM and arts | UG, Master's, PhD |
| Cuba | DHET-Cuba Bilateral | Full board (accommodation + meals provided) | Medicine, dentistry, engineering | UG (medicine 6 years) |
| Russia | DHET-Russia Bilateral | RUB 1,500-3,000/month + accommodation | Technical sciences, natural sciences | UG, Master's |
| India | ITEC + ICCR-DHET | USD 250-350 (~R4,500-6,500) | IT, pharmacy, textiles, public administration | Short courses, PG |
| Mexico | AMEXCID-DHET | MXN 6,000-9,000 (~R4,500-7,000) | Spanish language, cultural studies, agriculture | Short programs, PG |
| Egypt | DHET-Egypt Bilateral | Accommodation + EGP stipend | Arabic language, Islamic studies, engineering | UG, PG |
The Stipendium Hungaricum: One of the Most Accessible DHET-Linked Programs
The Stipendium Hungaricum (SH) program, a partnership between the Hungarian government and DHET, is one of the most accessible bilateral scholarships for SA students in 2026. It covers a wide range of disciplines (not just STEM), accepts applications from undergraduate level, and has a structured application process with clear timelines.
What the Stipendium Hungaricum covers:
- Full tuition waiver at participating Hungarian universities (University of Debrecen, Budapest University of Technology, Eötvös Loránd University, Corvinus University, and others)
- Monthly stipend of EUR 300 (undergraduate) or EUR 460 (Master's and doctoral)
- Student accommodation in university dormitories (free or heavily subsidised)
- One-time relocation allowance
2026 application timeline: Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year opened in January 2026 and most SA nomination cycles closed in March 2026. For 2027/2028 intake, the SA application cycle through DHET typically opens September-October 2026. Check the DHET website and your International Office from September onwards.
Language requirement: English-taught programs are widely available at Hungarian partner universities. No Hungarian language requirement for English-medium programs.
CSC-DHET China Scholarships: The Highest Volume Program
The China Scholarship Council (CSC) bilateral agreement with DHET produces the largest number of individual scholarship awards. Each year, South Africa receives a quota of government-funded scholarship places at Chinese universities. These are distributed through SA universities and through DIRCO's bilateral quota.
How the CSC-DHET process works:
- DHET receives a total quota from the Chinese government (typically 100-200 scholarships per year)
- A portion is allocated through SA universities (each university receives a few slots based on partnership agreements with specific Chinese universities)
- A portion is available through direct application to DHET's scholarship portal during the annual call (usually December-February)
- Selected candidates are interviewed and nominated to the CSC
- CSC makes final decisions and issues Admission Notices
Monthly living allowance for SA students in China (2026 rates):
- Undergraduate: CNY 2,500/month (approximately R7,500)
- Master's students: CNY 3,000/month (approximately R9,000)
- Doctoral students: CNY 3,500/month (approximately R10,500)
Tuition, on-campus accommodation, and mandatory health insurance are covered on top of the monthly allowance. A one-off settlement allowance is also provided on arrival.
DHET University Partnership Funding: The Hidden Layer
Beyond bilateral scholarships, DHET provides block grants to South African universities specifically earmarked for international mobility. This funding appears to students as "university international mobility bursaries" rather than DHET funding, but it is partly sourced from DHET's university development grants.
What this means practically: when Stellenbosch's International Office offers a R20,000 mobility bursary for a semester abroad, or when UCT's Global Citizenship Programme provides a travel grant for international service-learning, part of the funding source is DHET block grants, even though it is administered by the university.
How to access this layer:
- Contact your International Office and ask specifically: "What international mobility bursaries does the university offer for outgoing students?" Do not ask about DHET by name, as they will not categorise it that way
- Ask about destination-specific grants. Some universities have partnerships with specific countries that come with dedicated funding
- Ask about faculty-specific grants. Engineering faculties sometimes have mobility grants separate from the central International Office
- Ask about WIL (Work-Integrated Learning) grants if you are doing a work-placement year as part of your degree
What DHET Funding Does Not Cover
DHET-linked funding generally does not cover:
- Stand-alone internships at private companies not affiliated with a university (you need Erasmus+ ICM or NRF for those)
- Short internships under 1 month
- Post-graduation placements outside of formal degree programs
- Countries outside of active bilateral agreement partners
Combining DHET, Erasmus+ ICM, and NRF Funding
The most strategically sound approach for SA students planning international mobility is to understand all three funding streams and identify which one applies to your specific situation:
| Student Profile | Best Primary Funding Route | Supplementary Option |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, Europe destination | Erasmus+ ICM (EUR 700-850/month) | University mobility bursary (one-off) |
| Undergraduate, Asia destination | CSC-DHET (China) or Stipendium Hungaricum | DHET university block grant |
| Master's/PhD, Germany or Netherlands | DAAD-SA (EUR 850-1,200/month) | NRF supplement (R15,000-40,000) |
| Honours/Master's, short research visit | NRF international mobility supplement | University faculty grant |
| Any level, long-term degree in Asia | CSC-DHET or Stipendium Hungaricum | Settlement allowance + NRF bridge |
Where to Apply and Key 2026 Deadlines
DHET does not maintain a central public scholarships portal in the same way as NSFAS. Applications flow through multiple channels:
- DHET Scholarships Portal (dhet.gov.za): Check the "International Scholarships" section from September 2026 onwards for 2027/2028 bilateral scholarship calls. Annual calls typically open September-November and close February-March.
- Your university's International Office: The single most important contact point. Ask for the full list of outgoing mobility options, with deadlines, for your faculty and level. Visit in person if possible. Many options are not publicised on the website.
- Stipendium Hungaricum South Africa: The Hungarian government operates a dedicated SH platform. SA applications for 2027/2028 intake are expected to open October-November 2026.
- CSC application portal: Chinese government scholarships are applied for via csc.edu.cn. SA-specific bilateral slots require the DHET nomination number before submitting to CSC.
The most common mistake SA students make with DHET funding: They ask their International Office "do you have any scholarships?" and accept a vague "we'll send something when it comes up" as the full answer. The correct questions are: "Which specific bilateral scholarship programs does this university nominate students for?", "When does the internal nomination process open for each one?", and "What does the application require and who evaluates it internally?" Push for specific program names and deadlines.
DHET and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Internships Abroad
DHET's policy frameworks explicitly support Work-Integrated Learning as part of the higher education curriculum. For students whose degree requires a WIL component (common in engineering, nursing, education, social work, and agriculture programs), the international version of that WIL may qualify for additional institutional support.
If your degree includes a mandatory practical or WIL year, ask your faculty coordinator whether an international placement can satisfy that requirement and whether there is any dedicated funding for international WIL. Some faculties have negotiated specific arrangements with foreign industry partners that include stipend contributions. This is distinct from the scholarship channels above and sits at the faculty level rather than the International Office level.
For standard internships that are not part of a WIL degree requirement, the Erasmus+ ICM program remains the best funding source for Europe, and the NRF and DAAD-SA programs are more appropriate for research-heavy postgraduate internships.
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