Which courses will NSFAS fund in 2023?

By Klenam JU •  Updated: 12/20/22 •  5 min read

When deciding what to study after school, many elements must be taken into account, but perhaps the most pertinent for most students is the dreaded F-word. Yeap. Funding.

In this article, we’ll do our best to bring you all the funding answers that your frolicking heart could desire. 

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Does NSFAS Fund Every Course?

No. It’s a very valid question, and although NSFAS do cover a wide range of options (as showcased below), they don’t fund every course.

Nobody’s perfect, right? 

Which courses will NSFAS fund in 2023?

As previously mentioned, NSFAS does fund many different areas of study. As the list is long, we’ve separated it into alphabetical sections to make it easy for you to hop through to your area of interest.

A

Adult Learning

B

Building Construction

C

Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services

Communication Studies

Consumer Services

Cultural Studies

Curative Health

D 

Design Studies

Drawing Office Practice

E

Early Childhood Development

Earth and Space Sciences

Electrical Infrastructure Construction

Engineering and Related Design

Environmental Relations

Environmental Sciences

F

Fabrication and Extraction

Film Television, and Video

Finance, Economics and Accounting

Forestry and Wood Technology

G 

General Social Science

Generic

Generic Management

H 

Higher Education and Training

Horticulture

Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure

Human Resources

I

Industrial & Organizational Governance and HR Development

Information Studies

Information Technology and Computer Sciences

J

Justice in Society

K

L 

Language

Life Sciences

Literature

 M

Manufacturing and Assembly

Marketing

Mathematical Sciences

Mechatronics

Media Studies

Music

N 

Nature Conservation

O 

Occupationally Directed ETD Practice

Office Administration

P 

People/Human-Centred Development

Performing Arts

Personal Care

Physical Planning, Design and Management

Physical Sciences

Preventive Health

Process Instrumentation

Primary Agriculture

Process Plant Operations

Procurement

Project Management

Promotive Health and Developmental Services

Psychology

Public Administration

Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship

Public Relations

Q

R 

Rehabilitative Health/Services

Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society

Rural and Agrarian Studies

S 

Safety in Society

Schooling

Secondary Agriculture

The sovereignty of the State

Sport

 T

Traditions, History and Legacies

Transport, Operations and Logistics

U 

Undefined

Urban and Regional Studies

V 

Visual Arts

W 

Wholesale and Retail

X

Y

Z

Which Courses Does NSFAS Not Fund?

Though NSFAS’s funding list is extensive, there are some specific courses that NSFAS cannot cover. If you are looking to study a short course, a part-time course, or a secondary degree, you’re out of luck in the funding department. Other courses that NSFAS won’t pay for are those studied at private colleges or universities and most postgraduate degrees. 

What Courses Qualify For NSFAS?

Now that we’ve got those out of the way, let’s talk about the courses that NSFAS funds; if you’re looking to study for the first time and have no previous qualifications, then you’re the perfect candidate. NSFAS funds online courses as well, as long as they’re taken through an accredited public university or a TVET college.

Does NSFAS Pay For Teaching Courses?

Yes, NSFAS do cover teaching courses as well as degrees in education.

What Is The Difference Between A Teaching Degree And An Education Degree?

While both degrees can be used in the classroom, a Bachelor of Education or B.Ed is higher in terms of versatility and can more easily lead to positions outside of teaching, such as an administrator or principal. A Bachelor of Education focuses largely on the theoretical aspects of education and learning. Teaching courses can also be versatile but tend to be more confined to the area of teaching and the classroom. A teaching course is more practical, with a focus on teaching methods. Both have immense value, and someone who knows how to teach is always in high demand.

Generally, you’ll be able to take a teaching course at a TVET college, whereas a Bachelor of Education will be completed at a public university.  

Does NSFAS Pay For TVET Courses?

If you’re considering studying at a TVET college and wondering whether NSFAS will pay for your studies, you’ll be pleased to hear that NSFAS absolutely do cover courses taken at TVET colleges. Some great examples of areas of study one could pursue at a TVET college are marketing, finance; management; office administration; tourism; hospitality; education & development; economics & accounting; safety in society and transport & logistics.

What Is A TVET College?

“Technical, Vocational, Education and Training” or “TVET” colleges emphasise the more practical side of the workforce, offering a wide range of courses that deliver high-quality degrees for in-demand jobs.

The requirements to study at a TVET college are lower than those needed to study at a public university. You must be 16 years or older and have an equivalent of a grade 9 certificate in order to study at a TVET college.

We trust that you’ve been able to find some answers to those burning “funding” questions you couldn’t get out of your head. 

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