Academic support
Open Educational Resources and guided courses on thesis writing, research methodologies and scholarly publishing, all on the MUPSN learning portal.
See the coursesSix universities. One network.
Postgraduate
research
is
hard.
Doing
it
alone
is
harder.
The Multi-University Postgraduate Support Network connects master’s and doctoral candidates across Southern Africa with facilitators, research mentors, courses and a community that keeps you moving from proposal to contribution.
19Facilitators across the network
6Partner universities
14Areas of research support
6Courses on the learning portal
A multi-university collaboration
University of the Witwatersrand
Nelson Mandela University
What the network gives you
Four kinds of support, one place
Everything MUPSN runs is aimed at the same thing: getting your research finished, defended and out into the world.
Professional growth
Workshops every fortnight on Thursdays, and research incubators in April and July where a cohort moves one piece of work from draft to defensible.
See what is onFunding opportunities
Scholarships, grants and financial aid resources shared through the network, plus help framing an application that a funder will actually read.
Find fundingPeer mentorship
Be matched with an experienced mentor working in your field and at your stage, and with fellow candidates walking the same road.
Connect with a mentorThe research journey
Wherever you are stuck, someone here has been there
Tell us your stage and we point you at the facilitator, course and mentor who work on exactly that. Pick one to see who supports it.
6th Annual M&D Online Conference
From Collaboration
to Impact
Advancing higher education, interdisciplinary research and technological sovereignty for Africa’s sustainable digital future.
An invitation to turn knowledge into impact. MUPSN invites master’s and doctoral candidates, supervisors, early-career researchers, pracademics and research-support practitioners to submit abstracts.
One-to-one
Book a session with a tutor
Choose a facilitator by the area you need, see exactly when they are free, and hold a slot in three steps. Your booking reaches the coordinator immediately, with a calendar invitation attached.
- Live availability, no back-and-forth email
- 45-minute sessions on Microsoft Teams
- A reference number and confirmation by email
Longer term
Connect with a research mentor
Mentorship is not a single meeting. Tell us your qualification, your stage and what you are trying to reach, and the coordinator matches you with a mentor who has done it.
Master’s
PhD
Proposal
Literature Review
Methodology
Data Analysis
+ 4 more stages
Request a mentor
Why join MUPSN?
Success starts with support
Join MUPSN today and take control of your postgraduate journey. We are here to help.
Results-oriented growth
We equip postgraduate students with practical tools and strategies to achieve academic and professional success.
Collaboration across institutions
A thriving network where students, mentors and experts connect to share knowledge and build meaningful partnerships.
Evidence-led creativity
Using insights and innovative approaches to enhance research, problem-solving and academic excellence.
From the network
Reading and listening
Navigating Postgraduate Research: Tips for Writing a Strong Thesis
Practical guidance on holding an argument together across chapters, from framing the problem to defending the contribution.
Read on the portalBalancing Academics and Mental Well-being: Strategies for Postgraduate Success
Finishing a thesis is a marathon. Strategies from the network for protecting your health while you run it.
Read on the portalEpisode Three: Mixed Methods
A conversation on designing and defending a mixed-methods study, and on when combining approaches genuinely strengthens a finding.
ListenJoin the network
Connect with fellow postgraduates.
Unlock the resources to excel.
Access expert guidance, live workshops and a community across six universities. Your journey to success starts here.