According to the September applications data, postgraduate applications have so far increased by 47.8% year-on-year, climbing from 12,357 in 2025 to 18,268 in 2026.
At the same time, acceptances rose by 42.56%, from 592 to 844, demonstrating the institution’s ability to attract and admit a growing pool of talented postgraduate candidates.
“The growth in postgraduate interest reflects our formidable research pedigree, the intellectual freedom from the interdisciplinary orientation of our scholarship, and the trust that students have in Nelson Mandela University, as a choice destination to pursue advanced studies,” says Jo-Ann Daniels, Deputy Director of Student Recruitment.
“We are encouraged by this healthy upward trend at all levels of postgraduate applications and across disciplines. We remain focused on seeing this trend extend into enrolment and throughput,” adds Daniels.
A growing postgraduate pipeline
The largest share of acceptances has been at the Honours level at 604, followed by Postgraduate Diplomas at 136, Master’s applications' climb to 86, and PhDs are currently at 18.
Honours programmes serve as the pipeline into Master’s and PhD studies, Daniels says.
Research shows that applicants may take up to two years to commit to Master’s and PhD programmes, making consistent and targeted recruitment campaigns essential.
Importantly, such campaigns should be coupled with access to scholarships and funding opportunities, as financial barriers remain one of the most significant determinants of postgraduate enrolment.
To this end, Nelson Mandela University, in partnership with regional universities in the Eastern Cape, hosted the Postgraduate Funding Fair earlier this year, where 24 funders showcased opportunities for aspiring postgraduate students, across the four Eastern Cape universities.
This model demonstrates how recruitment can be directly linked with financial support mechanisms to strengthen the postgraduate pipeline into advanced research degrees.
“Postgraduate study, particularly at the Master’s and Doctoral levels, is rarely a decision taken lightly, thus prospective students take time to carefully weigh their options, which is why it is essential that we consistently highlight the support, expertise, and funding opportunities available at Nelson Mandela University,” explained Dr Priscilla Mensah, Director: Research Development.
Research excellence as a drawcard
The growth in the number and quality of applications reflect Nelson Mandela University’s evidence-based research prowess and academic accomplishments. The institution has made significant investments in strategic fields, supported by Research Chairs, strong NRF-rated researchers, and impactful research programmes:
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Research Chairs - 19 SARChI Chairs across strategic fields such as Marine Spatial Planning, Shallow Water Ecosystems, Law of the Sea, Identities & Social Cohesion, Microfluidic Bio/Chemical Processing
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NRF-rated scientist - Covering top A1, A2, B1, B3 and a growing number of over 50 C1 to C3) and 15 Y1- to Y2- rated categories
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Research contributions - Ground-breaking work in ocean sciences, renewable energy, and social justice strengthens the University’s global and societal impact
“Our research environment is central to why students choose Mandela University, and they are drawn not only by our world-class facilities and cutting-edge supervisory expertise, but also by the opportunity to contribute to scholarship that is socially impactful and globally relevant,” says Dr Palesa Mothapo.
Navigating national challenges
Despite the positive trajectory, the University is mindful of funding challenges at postgraduate level, which tend to militate against enrolments. Supervisory capacity and funding availability remain critical considerations in ensuring that the institution can accommodate its growing pool of postgraduate candidates.
“Balancing growth with quality is our foremost priority, as we work to ensure that every postgraduate student who joins us has access to high-quality supervision and the resources necessary to thrive,” adds Dr Mothapo.
Looking ahead
With the closing date for Honours and coursework Masters applications fast approaching on 30 September 2025, Nelson Mandela University is confident of enrolling as many of the applicants as possible while upholding its established standards. Research-based post graduate qualifications registration will continue beyond the September closing date.
The dynamic recruitment approaches, track record of academic excellence, and growing research footprint all position Mandela University as a future-shaping institution for postgraduate education.
Key facts at a glance
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Post Graduate Applications: 12,357 (2025) → 18,268 (2026)
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Acceptances: 592 (2025) → 844 (2026)
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Growth: Applications up 47.8% | Acceptances up 42.56%
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Largest Qualification Share: Honours (604 acceptances)