Complete List of Courses Funded by NSFAS in South Africa
NSFAS funds a wide range of qualifications at public universities and TVET colleges across the country. The courses supported by NSFAS are designed to help students gain practical skills, industry-ready training, and academic knowledge that leads to employment.
Below is a complete, updated list of the major fields and programmes funded under NSFAS for 2025.
This guide focuses exclusively on course coverage, without repeating application requirements or institution details. Before exploring which programs qualify for funding, it’s important to understand what Provisionally Funded Meaning refers to in the NSFAS process.
University Courses Funded by NSFAS
Public universities offer a broad range of degrees and diplomas funded by NSFAS. These include:
Business, Finance & Administration
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Supply Chain Management
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing
- Public Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Internal Auditing
Science, Engineering & Technology
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Electrical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Architecture
- Environmental Science
- Quantity Surveying
- Mathematics and Statistics
Health & Medical Fields
(NSFAS funds undergraduate health sciences ONLY — not medicine postgraduate stages.)
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Nutrition & Dietetics
- Occupational Therapy
- Environmental Health
- Radiography
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Languages
- History
- Anthropology
- Journalism & Media Studies
- International Relations
Education Degrees
- Foundation Phase Teaching
- Intermediate Phase Teaching
- Senior/FET Teaching
- Early Childhood Development
- Educational Management (undergraduate)
Law & Justice
- LLB
- Criminology
- Forensic Science (undergraduate)
- Social Justice Studies
2. TVET College Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS covers both NC(V) and NATED (Report 191) programmes at public TVET colleges.
These programmes focus on practical skills and career-ready training.
NC(V) Courses Funded by NSFAS
Engineering & Related Fields
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Civil Engineering & Building Construction
- Engineering & Related Design
- Process Instrumentation
- Mechatronics
Business Studies
- Finance, Economics & Accounting
- Office Administration
- Management
- Marketing
- Transport & Logistics
ICT & Technology
- Information Technology & Computer Science
- Digital Infrastructure Support
- Data Communications
Hospitality & Tourism
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Food Preparation
Safety & Services
- Safety in Society
- Primary Health
- Education & Development
NATED Courses (N1–N6) Funded by NSFAS
Engineering N1–N6
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Boiler Making
- Fitting & Turning
- Motor Mechanics
Business & Management N4–N6
- Business Management
- Human Resource Management
- Financial Management
- Marketing Management
- Public Management
- Management Assistant
Utility & Service Programmes
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Clothing Production
- Educare (Early Childhood Development)
3. Artisan, Technical & Trade Courses Funded by NSFAS
Students planning to become artisans can receive funding for:
- Welding
- Fitting and Turning
- Electrical Trade
- Millwright
- Motor Mechanics
- Boilermaker Training
- Plumber Training
- Toolmaking
- Refrigeration
- Diesel Mechanics
These courses lead to SETA-regulated trade tests and practical training.
4. Agricultural and Environmental Courses NSFAS Supports
NSFAS also funds a range of agriculture-focused programmes:
- Animal Production
- Crop Production
- Farm Management
Agricultural Engineering (undergraduate)
- Soil Science
- Nature Conservation
- Horticulture
- Forestry
- Aquaculture
5. Courses NSFAS Does NOT Fund
To avoid confusion, here are programmes not covered:
- Short courses
- Part-time courses
- Second degrees
- Postgraduate qualifications (except PGCE, some PGDip)
- Private college courses
- Unaccredited programmes
This helps students choose correctly funded paths.
How to Confirm if NSFAS Funds Your Specific Course?
To check whether a course is funded:
• Visit the university or TVET college prospectus
They always indicate whether a programme is NSFAS-supported.
• Ask the institution’s financial aid office
They can confirm funding availability for your exact qualification.
• Check DHET-approved programme lists
NSFAS only funds programmes registered under DHET.
The list of courses funded by NSFAS provides a wide oppurtunity to the students of South Africa. Both universities and TVET colleges support all these courses and guide the students properly so they can get assistance at the right time, continue their studies, and face all the challenges. Before checking which programs are covered, it’s helpful to understand how NSFAS private accommodation works for funded students living off-campus.
The students who are thinking about being admitted to a college and still unable to proceed due to college expenses, NSFAS encourages them and gives them proper support. So before getting admission, you have to check the course list to get assistance from the NSFAS. You may also get help from https://nsfasstatus.co.za/
