The National Honours Programme in Astrophysics and Space Science (NASSP) is currently offered at three university nodes in collaboration with other partner universities. The three nodes are at: University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN – Westville Campus), University of Cape Town (UCT), and North-West University (NWU)

Student Bursaries

South African students are eligible for bursaries to cover fees and a contribution to living expenses. South African students with undergraduate degrees in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Physics, with Mathematics or Applied Mathematics at, at least, the second-year level are invited to
apply. NASSP allows for successful and eligible students at Honours level to continue with their Master's degrees with funding support provided.

Application Procedure

Eligible students are invited to apply to NASSP online at https://www.star.ac.za/application-procedure.

Students provisionally accepted will be advised no later than mid-October 2021 and will be required to confirm their acceptance by then registering their application on the NRF Online Application System. Details of that process will be included in the provisional acceptance letter.
Further information on the course can be obtained at: www.star.ac.za.

Step 1: Apply directly to the University node/s of your choice for Honours (you can apply at more
than one)

Step 2: Complete the online NASSP application form at: https://www.star.ac.za/application-procedure and email requested documents to applications@nassp.uct.ac.za

If successful in the NASSP application (you will be notified) then:
Step 3: Apply to the NRF online funding system using the instructions in your NASSP acceptance
letter.

NASSP application details

The application form (link at: https://www.star.ac.za/application-procedure) requires contact and demographic information, education history up to the present date, employment history (if any) up to present date, a detailed motivation outlining why you have applied for NASSP, and the names
and contact details of two (2) academic referees who can comment on your academic ability and suitability for postgraduate study.

In addition to completing the online application form, applicants must also submit their
1. full CV
2. electronic copy of academic transcripts (official with university letterhead)
3. copy of passport or SA ID document to applications@nassp.uct.ac.za.

Please address any queries and/or any problems you may experience in the application process to
nassp-admin@nassp.uct.ac.za (UCT) or nassp@ukzn.ac.za (UKZN) or nassp@nwu.ac.za (NWU).

The deadline for applications is 31 August 2021.