PhD Funding & Routes Abroad

South AfricaA stipend First-year pay ZAR 200 000 before tax Buys in SA R200k Length 3 years of NRF funding

An NRF scholarship is a bursary, not a job: no contract, pension or leave. While funded full-time you may not work more than 12 hours a week, and only on university tutoring or demonstrating duties.

Getting in

Entry requirement: A master's degree. The route is bachelor's, then Honours (1 year), then master's, then doctorate. NRF first-time doctoral funding needs a minimum of 65% at master's level.
With a South African degree: This is the home system. Honours bridges a three-year bachelor's into a master's; a four-year degree can substitute, since NRF master's funding accepts 65% across the final year of one. The master's is what opens the doctorate.
Typical length: 3 years of NRF funding (4 if you upgrade from a master's); extension support of 6 or 12 months only in exceptional cases

Money

Pay: ZAR 200 000 a year · DSTI-NRF doctoral scholarship, Full Cost of Study, 2027 framework; values reviewed every three years, CPI-linked · Doctoral R200,000 a year Full Cost of Study, R150,000 Partial. Master's is R190,000/R145,000, so the step up is small. (DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Student Application and Funding Framework for the 2027 Academic Year (April 2026), Table 2)
Fees: Each university sets its own doctoral fees. An NRF Full Cost of Study award is meant to cover fees and living costs; a Partial Cost award does not stretch as far.
Benefits: Full Cost of Study adds a once-off R10,000 study device allowance, and up to R20,000 for an assistive device. The framework does not state a tax treatment - ask your bursary office.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: No permit needed for SA citizens and permanent residents. Other nationalities need a valid passport and study permit to hold an NRF master's or doctoral scholarship; NRF Honours awards are for citizens and PRs only.
Afterwards: A postdoctoral fellowship is the usual next step. UCT's URC Postdoctoral Research Fellowships for 2026 are fixed at R325,000 a year for two years, carry no benefits and are tax-exempt under SARS rules.

How South Africans get funded

DSTI-NRF doctoral scholarship via NRF Connect - apply through the university where you will register; 2027 first-time doctoral applications closed 3 July 2026.
Grantholder-linked awards under a supervisor's NRF grant - SARChI Chairs, Centres of Excellence, Thuthuka, SARAO, NASSP, SAEON, FBIP.
Partner schemes in the same call: NRF-DAAD, NRF-SASOL Foundation, NRF-MINDS, NRF-SASAC, NRF-EM Education Trust, NRF-SAQA for refugees.
Global Knowledge Partnerships for exceptional doctoral students, plus university bursaries and supervisor research grants.
Not eligible: coursework or professional master's and professional doctorates, anyone employed over 12 hours a week, anyone on sabbatical.

Where to look

Sources (3)

United KingdomA stipend First-year pay GBP 21 805 tax-free Buys in SA R240k Length 3-4 years full-time

You are a registered student, not an employee. The stipend is tax-free and free of National Insurance, but there is no pension, no employment contract, no statutory paid leave and no NI record for the years you study.

Getting in

Entry requirement: Normally a master's degree, or a good bachelor's honours degree plus a master's. Some science programmes admit strong honours graduates through a 1+3 route (a one-year MRes followed by the PhD).
With a South African degree: A South African Bachelor Honours is usually treated as comparable to a UK bachelor's honours degree, so most departments expect a master's as well, or entry via a 1+3 route. Universities often ask for an Ecctis (UK ENIC) statement.
Typical length: 3-4 years full-time

Money

Pay: GBP 21 805 a year · UKRI minimum doctoral stipend from 1 October 2026 (GBP 23,805 with London weighting) · GBP 21,805 from 1 Oct 2026, up from GBP 20,780 for 2025/26; London GBP 23,805. Many universities pay above the UKRI minimum. (UKRI - get a studentship to fund your doctorate)
Fees: Studentships pay fees at the UK home rate - the UKRI minimum is GBP 5,238 for 2026/27. As an international student you may owe the difference up to the overseas fee.
Benefits: Stipend is tax-free and free of National Insurance, and fees are paid at the home rate. No pension, no paid holiday or sick pay. UKRI does not cover visa fees or the health surcharge.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: Student visa: GBP 558 to apply from outside the UK, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. PhD and other doctoral students may still bring a partner and children as dependants (GBP 558 each), unlike taught master's students.
Afterwards: The Graduate route gives PhD and doctoral holders 3 years - it stays at 3 years even though the route drops from 2 years to 18 months for other qualifications on 1 January 2027. Fee GBP 937. Cannot be extended; switch to Skilled Worker.

How South Africans get funded

UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships and Centres for Doctoral Training - stipend plus home-rate fees; international students are eligible but may owe the fee difference.
University studentships and scholarships offering a fee waiver plus a stipend - advertised on jobs.ac.uk and on individual university PhD pages.
Medical research charities and learned societies fund studentships; check the nationality rules of each scheme before applying.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are NOT open to South Africans - they are limited to Commonwealth least developed countries and vulnerable states.
Self-funding at the overseas PhD fee rate is very expensive; treat it as a last resort rather than a plan.

Where to look

Sources (5)

IrelandA stipend First-year pay EUR 25 000 tax-free Buys in SA R210k Length 4 years

Almost all Irish PhD researchers hold a scholarship, not a job: no employment contract, no pension, no PRSI record and no statutory leave. Stamp 2 student time does not count towards citizenship.

Getting in

Entry requirement: An honours bachelor's degree (NFQ level 8) or a master's, plus a supervisor willing to take you. Each university sets its own entry rules; QQI and the NFQ guide recognition of foreign degrees.
With a South African degree: Irish research bodies are guided by QQI and the National Framework of Qualifications when recognising a foreign degree. A South African Honours or master's is judged case by case - expect transcripts and often a QQI comparability statement.
Typical length: 4 years

Money

Pay: EUR 25 000 a year · Research Ireland Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship stipend; total award up to EUR 34,000 a year · EUR 25,000 a year for 1 to 4 years. Other Irish schemes and university awards cluster around the same EUR 25,000 stipend level. (Research Ireland - Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 call document)
Fees: Fees are charged. Research Ireland pays up to EUR 5,750 a year, plus EUR 4,000 more for non-EU nationals. Any remaining non-EU fee must be paid by you or by the host university.
Benefits: Fees paid up to EUR 5,750 (plus EUR 4,000 for non-EU nationals) and EUR 3,250 a year of research costs. No pension, no PRSI, no paid leave, and Stamp 2 time is not reckonable for naturalisation.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: Stamp 2 student permission: register with immigration within 90 days and pay EUR 300. You may work only 20 hours a week in term and 40 in holidays, cannot use public services, and Stamp 2 does not count towards naturalisation.
Afterwards: Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G): an NFQ level 9 or above award, which includes a PhD, gets 12 months renewable to 24. Full-time work allowed but no self-employment. After that you need an employment permit.

How South Africans get funded

Research Ireland Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship: EUR 25,000 stipend, any nationality, but the 2025 non-EU success rate was 2% STEM / 3% AHSS.
University and Research Ireland centre PhD positions advertised by the host university.
Enterprise Partnership Scheme (Postgraduate): up to EUR 34,000 a year with an industry partner co-funding the project.
EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks hosted in Ireland - these are employment contracts, not stipends, and are advertised on EURAXESS.
Innovate for Ireland, a 4-year programme aimed at attracting international research talent - check whether the call is open.

Where to look

Sources (4)

NetherlandsA paid job First-year pay EUR 44 715 about EUR 35 400 after tax Buys in SA R360k Length 4 years

A Dutch PhD is a paid job. You get a university employment contract (promovendus), ABP pension, paid holiday and sick leave, and full Dutch social security. You are staff, not a fee-paying student.

Getting in

Entry requirement: A completed master's degree. Admission to a Dutch PhD requires a master's; you apply to an advertised vacancy and are interviewed for it like any other job.
With a South African degree: Nuffic rates a South African 4-year bachelor's or Bachelor Honours as comparable to a Dutch HBO or WO bachelor's degree, and a South African master's as a Dutch master's. Honours alone is usually not enough - a master's is normally needed.
Typical length: 4 years

Money

Pay: EUR 44 715 a year · CAO NU scale P, step P0 (EUR 3,204/month from 1 July 2026) x12, plus 8% holiday and 8.3% year-end allowance · Year 1 P0 about EUR 44,700 gross rising to P3 about EUR 56,500 in year 4 (monthly P0 3,204 / P1 3,706 / P2 3,873 / P3 4,051) (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten 2026-2027 - Salarisschalen per 1 juli 2026 (Universiteiten van Nederland))
After tax: About EUR 35 400 a year · Estimate: 2026 Dutch income tax (35.75% and 37.56% brackets) less the general and labour tax credits, after the ABP pension contribution (about 7.5% above the franchise). Without the 30% ruling, which many PhD candidates recruited from abroad qualify for and which raises take-home pay.
Fees: None. PhD candidates are employees, not fee-paying students. Only candidates on a 'hospitality agreement' (scholarship or self-funded) sit outside the payroll.
Benefits: ABP pension, 232 holiday hours a year at a 38-hour week (about 30 days), paid sick and parental leave, 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% year-end allowance, commuting and home-working allowances.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: Residence permit for researchers under EU Directive 2016/801, applied for by the university as a recognised sponsor using a hosting agreement. Fee EUR 254. You may work without a separate work permit; family can apply to join you.
Afterwards: After the research you can take the 1-year orientation year permit (EUR 254) and work freely with no work permit, or switch to a highly skilled migrant permit. Ask IND how PhD years count towards permanent residence.

How South Africans get funded

Apply to advertised promovendus vacancies at the research universities via AcademicTransfer - these are salaried 4-year jobs, not scholarships, and are the main route.
NWO-funded projects (Open Competition, Vidi/Vici, Nationale Wetenschapsagenda) create PhD posts: you apply for the post, not for the grant itself.
EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks hosted in the Netherlands - fully funded employment posts, advertised on EURAXESS and AcademicTransfer.
Graduate schools at universities and university medical centres run their own PhD calls, often with a fixed annual intake deadline.
Beurspromovendus (scholarship PhD): no employment contract, no pension, lower net income. Check the contract type in the advert before accepting.

Where to look

Sources (6)

GermanyJob or stipend First-year pay EUR 42 834 about EUR 28 400 after tax Buys in SA R310k Length 3-5 years in a structured programme

Most doctoral researchers hold a TV-L E13 employment contract, usually part-time, with full statutory health, pension and unemployment insurance. A minority hold a tax-free scholarship with no employment rights.

Getting in

Entry requirement: A master's or equivalent degree that qualifies for doctoral study, plus either a professor willing to supervise you (individual route) or admission to a structured doctoral programme.
With a South African degree: A South African master's is normally the qualification expected; an Honours degree alone is usually not enough. Each faculty's doctoral committee decides whether a foreign degree is equivalent, so ask the department early.
Typical length: 3-5 years in a structured programme; an individual doctorate averages 5-6 years

Money

Pay: EUR 42 834 a year · TV-L E13, Stufe 1 (EUR 4,759.37/month full-time from 1 Apr 2026) at a typical 75% doctoral post; excludes annual bonus · 65% post about EUR 37,100, 75% about EUR 42,800, 100% about EUR 57,100 in year 1; Stufe 2 after 12 months is EUR 5,106.09/month (TdL - Allgemeine Entgelttabelle (Anlage B zum TV-L), valid 1 April 2026 to 31 December 2026)
After tax: About EUR 28 400 a year · Estimate: 2026 tax class I, single, no church tax, at a 75% E13 post: income tax plus about 21.8% for pension, health (average extra contribution), care (childless rate) and unemployment insurance. Excludes the small VBL supplementary pension contribution.
Fees: No tuition for doctoral study for at least the first 6 semesters at public universities. You still pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag).
Benefits: On a TV-L contract: statutory health, pension, care and unemployment insurance, paid leave and an annual bonus. Scholarship holders get none of this and must arrange their own insurance.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: Residence permit for research under section 18d of the Residence Act, issued for the duration of the hosting agreement. Scholarship holders without a contract may need a student permit. Family can join you.
Afterwards: Section 20 of the Residence Act gives up to 18 months to look for work after finishing research under section 18d, or after a German degree, provided you can support yourself. You can then move to an EU Blue Card or skilled worker permit.

How South Africans get funded

A TV-L E13 post on a professor's funded project (DFG, BMBF, EU or industry) - the normal salaried route; ask the advert what percentage of full-time it is.
Structured programmes: Max Planck International Research Schools, Helmholtz and Leibniz graduate schools, and Collaborative Research Centres, which fund posts or grants.
DAAD Research Grants - Doctoral Programmes in Germany: EUR 1,300 a month plus a flat-rate travel allowance and health, accident and liability insurance.
EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks hosted in Germany - employment contracts with mobility and family allowances, advertised on EURAXESS.
Search the DAAD scholarship database for foundation and government schemes open to South Africans before assuming you must self-fund.

Where to look

Confidence: medium. Check the official page before relying on this.

Sources (7)

United StatesJob or stipend First-year pay USD 37 000 about USD 32 800 after tax Buys in SA R250k Length 5-6 years

Most PhDs are paid as a research or teaching assistantship: a university appointment with a salary, tuition remission and health cover, unionised on some campuses. Fellowship money is a stipend, not employment.

Getting in

Entry requirement: A bachelor's degree is enough. US PhD programmes admit straight from undergraduate study and build the coursework in; a master's is not normally required.
With a South African degree: Admission is decided university by university. Most want a degree comparable to a US four-year bachelor's; an SA BSc/BA with Honours is more likely to be accepted as comparable than a BSc/BA alone, and a master's can earn advanced standing. Expect a SAQA/WES evaluation and TOEFL.
Typical length: 5-6 years (1-2 years of coursework and qualifying exams, then the dissertation)

Money

Pay: USD 37 000 a year · NSF Graduate Research Fellowship stipend, the national benchmark; real pay is a university RA/TA salary or union rate · NSF GRFP $37,000; MIT doctoral RA $51,226 and TA $52,429 a year (12-month, union contract). Cheaper cities pay less. (NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF 26-526); MIT Office of Graduate Education, Salaries and stipends)
After tax: About USD 32 800 a year · Estimate: 2026 federal income tax for a nonresident alien on an F-1 visa (no standard deduction, no Social Security or Medicare tax while a student). State income tax, 0 to about 5% depending on the state, comes off this.
Fees: None in practice on a funded offer - the department pays it through your assistantship or fellowship. NSF pays institutions a $16,000 allowance in lieu of tuition and fees.
Benefits: Assistantships normally carry tuition remission and subsidised health insurance. At unionised campuses such as MIT, base pay is set by a collective bargaining agreement.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: F-1 student status for a normal funded PhD, or J-1 exchange visitor for Fulbright and some sponsored students. On-campus work, including your assistantship, is permitted; family accompany you on F-2 or J-2.
Afterwards: 12 months of Optional Practical Training, plus a 24-month STEM OPT extension for STEM graduates with an E-Verify employer; after that an employer must sponsor a work visa. J-1 grantees may carry a two-year home-residency rule.

How South Africans get funded

Departmental funding package offered with admission - an RA or TA post plus tuition remission. Get the number of guaranteed years in writing before you accept.
University or department fellowships for incoming students, usually awarded with admission rather than by separate application.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program (US Mission SA): master's or PhD grants for South Africans, awarded for two years of one degree - it part-funds a US PhD.
Fulbright Visiting Student Researcher: one year in the US for a PhD student already registered in SA; NRF-funded students are encouraged to apply.
The NSF GRFP itself is closed to South Africans - US citizens, nationals and permanent residents only. Use it as a pay benchmark, not a route.

Where to look

Sources (5)

CanadaJob or stipend First-year pay CAD 40 174 about CAD 32 700 after tax Buys in SA R200k Length 4-5 years

Funding is a package, not a salary: a university fellowship topped up by teaching and research assistantship work. TA and RA hours are paid, usually unionised; the fellowship part is award money.

Getting in

Entry requirement: Normally a master's degree. Some programmes admit from a four-year honours bachelor's, or let strong students transfer up from the master's after a year.
With a South African degree: An SA BSc(Hons) is usually read as the four-year honours equivalent and an SA master's as the standard entry route. Expect a credential assessment and IELTS/TOEFL unless waived.
Typical length: 4-5 years (the guaranteed 'funded cohort' period at most universities)

Money

Pay: CAD 40 174 a year · U of T Faculty of Arts & Science minimum financial support package, Fall 2026 entry, gross before tuition and fees · U of T A&S $40,174 gross / $31,552 net of fees, up to five years. Tri-agency CGS-Doctoral pays $40,000 a year for 36 months. (University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Science, How Graduate Funding Works in A&S; NSERC Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral)
After tax: About CAD 32 700 a year · Estimate: 2026 federal and Ontario tax, Ontario Health Premium, CPP and EI if the whole package is paid as teaching and research assistant pay. A fellowship part is usually tax-free for a full-time student, so take-home can be higher.
Fees: PhD tuition is charged at higher international rates, but funded packages are built to cover it - U of T Arts & Science covers fees whatever your status.
Benefits: Packages cover tuition and fees. TA income is capped by contract (max $6,900 at U of T A&S in 2026-27) and topped up with fellowship funds to reach the floor; many departments pay above it.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: Study permit. You may work off campus up to 24 hours a week while classes are in session and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks; on-campus TA/RA work is permitted.
Afterwards: Post-Graduation Work Permit for the length of your programme. Doctoral graduates face no field-of-study restriction but need Canadian Language Benchmarks 7 in English (or NCLC 7 in French) in all four skills.

How South Africans get funded

Guaranteed departmental package for the 'funded cohort' - U of T Arts & Science promises at least $40,174 for Fall 2026 entrants, fees included, for up to five years.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (NSERC/SSHRC/CIHR): $40,000 a year for 36 months; up to 15% of awards go to international applicants.
Supervisor-funded research assistantships paid from a tri-agency grant - approach potential supervisors before you apply.
Provincial and university awards such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, which replace or top up the departmental minimum.
The Vanier CGS ($50,000 a year for three years) is closed to new applications and folded into the harmonised CGS-D programme.

Where to look

Sources (5)

AustraliaA stipend First-year pay AUD 34 315 tax-free Buys in SA R180k Length 3-4 years

An RTP stipend is a scholarship, not a wage: no employment contract, no superannuation. It is exempt from income tax if you study full-time, do no work in return and it is principally for education (ATO).

Getting in

Entry requirement: A research master's, or a bachelor's with honours at a high level. The university needs a supervised research project behind you, a proposal, and a supervisor willing to take you.
With a South African degree: An SA Honours degree with a substantial research project is commonly treated as the honours-equivalent entry point, and an SA research master's as a clear fit. Each university assesses SA qualifications individually before making an offer.
Typical length: 3-4 years (RTP scholarships run a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 years full-time)

Money

Pay: AUD 34 315 a year · Australian Government Research Training Program full-time base stipend rate for 2026, indexed each 1 January · 2026 base $34,315, max $53,608; 2027 base $35,550, max $55,537. ANU's PhD Scholarship is $40,475 (2027 base rate). (Department of Education - Research Training Program, RTP stipend rates)
Fees: Covered by an RTP Fees Offset, funded for overseas and domestic students alike. Without an RTP place you pay the full international fee.
Benefits: RTP scholarships can include allowances for the ancillary costs of a research degree. Support is extended by approved paid parental, partner, personal or family violence leave.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: Student visa subclass 500, granted in line with your enrolment, up to 6 years. You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, and family can be included in the application.
Afterwards: Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485, Post-Higher Education Work stream: usually 2-3 years depending on qualification, family included. You must be 35 or under when you apply (exceptions apply) and be in Australia.

How South Africans get funded

RTP Scholarship - fees offset, living stipend and allowances. Apply to the university, never to the Department of Education; overseas students are eligible.
University and faculty top-ups above the RTP base rate, e.g. the ANU PhD Scholarship at $40,475 (2027 base rate), paid for 3.5 years.
Project scholarships attached to an ARC or NHMRC grant, advertised by the supervising research group.
RTP industry internship: 3 months / 60 full-time-equivalent days with a research end-user, agreed in writing within 18 months of starting.

Where to look

Sources (5)

New ZealandA stipend First-year pay NZD 35 468 tax-free Buys in SA R180k Length 3-4 years

A doctoral scholarship is a tax-free stipend, not a salary - no employment contract or leave. But PhD candidates have no cap on work hours, so paid tutoring or research work alongside it is normal.

Getting in

Entry requirement: A research master's, or a bachelor's with honours at a high level, plus an agreed supervisor and an approved research proposal. Admission and scholarship are decided together.
With a South African degree: An SA Honours or a master's with a genuine research component is the normal entry point. Universities assess SA qualifications case by case and will not admit you without a named supervisor who has accepted the project.
Typical length: 3-4 years (doctoral scholarships run 36 to 42 months)

Money

Pay: NZD 35 468 a year · University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship, 2026 value: tax-free, CPI-adjusted, up to 42 months, plus fees · Auckland up to $35,468 (2026); faculty schemes such as the FMHS Dean's International Doctoral Scholarship pay $33,000 plus fees. (University of Auckland - Doctoral scholarships for international students)
Fees: International PhD candidates pay the domestic New Zealand rate, and a doctoral scholarship normally pays it plus the compulsory health insurance charge.
Benefits: Scholarships cover domestic-rate tuition and the compulsory single-student health insurance charge. The FMHS Dean's International Doctoral Scholarship adds a one-off $3,000 relocation grant.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: A student visa. Masters-by-research and PhD students have no limit on hours worked, though you must work as an employee, not a contractor. Partners and children can apply for supporting visas.
Afterwards: Post Study Work Visa of up to 3 years. Doctoral graduates get 6 months rather than 3 to apply, and at degree level 7 or above can do any job anywhere. A partner can apply for a work visa, children for student visas.

How South Africans get funded

University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship - considered automatically when you apply for a place; rounds close 1 Nov, 1 Feb, 1 May and 1 Aug.
Faculty and Dean's doctoral scholarships in Medical and Health Sciences, Business, Engineering and Arts - tick the box on the admission form.
Equivalent schemes at Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and the rest, applied for through the doctoral admission application.
Supervisor-held research grants funding a named PhD project, plus subject awards like the Marie Clay Trainer Doctoral Scholarship (to $70,000 a year).

Where to look

Confidence: medium. Check the official page before relying on this.

Sources (3)

United Arab EmiratesA stipend First-year pay AED 240 000 tax-free Buys in SA R740k Length About 4 years

A PhD is a tax-free university scholarship: stipend, tuition waiver, housing and health cover, not a job. Khalifa University's large stipend binds you to work for it after graduating; NYUAD pays an assistantship.

Getting in

Entry requirement: Usually a master's (Khalifa: CGPA 3.25/4; UAEU fellowships: 3.3-3.5). Khalifa and MBZUAI also take strong bachelor's graduates for a direct PhD, plus IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL.
With a South African degree: A master's is the safe route. An SA Honours year is not a master's, so it fits only direct-PhD entry (Khalifa: CGPA 3.5/4 and GRE quant 150). Degrees must be recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education.
Typical length: About 4 years (Khalifa and UAE University scholarships run up to four years)

Money

Pay: AED 240 000 a year · Khalifa University research-path PhD scholarship: basic stipend AED 20,000/month x12, tied to a work bond · Khalifa research path AED 240,000-480,000 incl. allowance; no-bond study path AED 24,000-48,000; UAEU, MBZUAI and NYUAD amounts unpublished (Khalifa University - Graduate Scholarship for International Students)
Fees: Waived in full on the main funded offers (Khalifa top tiers, UAEU PhD Fellowship, MBZUAI, NYUAD). Lower Khalifa tiers waive only 25-75%, so you pay the rest.
Benefits: Medical insurance and visa fees; Khalifa adds flights and, on some tiers, free housing. MBZUAI adds accommodation. NYUAD adds housing, a home-leave allowance and an end-of-service benefit.

Visa and afterwards

Visa: A student residence visa sponsored by the university. Family may join if you can afford suitable housing. Outside work needs a university no-objection letter and a student work permit, and is limited to holidays.
Afterwards: No post-study work visa: you need a job offer and employer sponsor, or a 60-120 day jobseeker visa. A PhD from a top-500 university can qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa. Study years do not lead to citizenship.

How South Africans get funded

Khalifa University: tier set at admission, no separate form. The research path pays AED 20,000/month but binds you to work for KU for as long as you studied.
UAE University (Al Ain): PhD Fellowship and PhD Scholarship (all nationalities): full tuition waiver plus stipend, UAE priority fields only, no job or other sponsor.
MBZUAI (AI only): every doctoral place has a full scholarship - tuition, accommodation, healthcare, student visa and a monthly stipend.
NYU Abu Dhabi: fully funded Astrophysics and Space Systems PhD, or Global PhD Fellowships (start in New York, finish in Abu Dhabi). NYU degree.
UAEU assistantships: GTA/GAA work pays up to AED 4,000/month alongside a basic tuition-only fellowship. All subject to available budget.

Where to look

Confidence: medium. Check the official page before relying on this.

Sources (9)