KINGDOM OF LESOTHO
National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS)
APPLICATIONS FOR NMDS BURSARIES TO STUDY IN REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA UNIVERSITIES
Academic Year Beginning January 2026
Applications are invited from suitable candidates for Government of Lesotho bursaries to pursue full-time Bachelor’s Degrees, Honours, Master’s, and PhD studies in the Republic of South Africa. These bursaries are based on the 2026 Priority Areas of Study at selected sponsored universities for the academic year starting January 2026.
Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Completed NMDS Loan Bursaries Application Form [available via the link below].
- Proof of application or admission for all programmes applied for. Only full-time, mainstream programmes listed in the 2026 priority areas at sponsored universities are eligible.
- Original and certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
(Qualifications from non-NMDS sponsored public/private international institutions must be evaluated.) - Original and certified copies of National ID and valid passport.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Employer’s nomination letter (for employed applicants), stating duration of employment.
- Proof of payment for previously sponsored applicants who must have repaid at least 50% of their Loan Bursary and cleared any arrears.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate Programmes
- A-Level
- IB Diploma
- National Senior Certificate (NSC)/Matric (only Matric certificates accepted, not statements of results)
- Completed 1st year BSc from NUL (for Science and Technology programmes only)Note: Applicants who have completed beyond 1st year must repay all disbursed funds at full cost.
- Full results from a recognized N6 Certificate or Diploma relevant to the priority programme.
Postgraduate Programmes
- A relevant 1st degree from a recognized institution for Postgraduate Diploma, Honours, or Master’s programmes.
- A relevant Master’s degree from a recognized institution for PhD programmes.
Important Notes
- Applications are only for programmes listed in the 2026 Priority Areas and must be full-time within the minimum duration as per the institution’s rulebook.
- Bridging, extended, or part-time programmes are not sponsored.
- Applicants are encouraged to compare programme durations across institutions and apply where the minimum duration is most favourable.
Key Links
- RSA Priority Courses: View Priority Areas
- RSA Sponsored Universities: View Institutions
- Application Form: Download Form
Submission Period
All application documents must be hand-delivered to the NMDS Scholarship Office from:
1st September to 17th October 2025
Applications are only attended to at 9:00 AM daily.
Disclaimer
- All critical information is published and publicly available.
- All queries must be directed to the Scholarship Office ONLY.
- Any errors affecting eligibility are the applicant’s responsibility.
- Submission of an application does not guarantee award of a bursary.
- Early submission is strongly advised to allow time for resolving any queries before the deadline.
Late submissions or unresolved queries after the deadline will result in disqualification.