Closing Date: 21 April 2024
Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship / Bursaries 2025
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is inviting students to apply for their scholarship award, for the 2025 academic year.
Scholarships will be awarded for Postgraduate studies (Honours and Masters degrees) in ANY field. The scholarship is open to students from all African countries, to study at selected institutions in South Africa.
The scholarship will provide cover for the following study related expenses:
- registration fees,
- tuition fees,
- study material allowance,
- meal and accommodation allowance,
- personal allowance,
- medical aid allowance
- economy-class flights for scholars from countries outside of SA (at the start and end of their studies).
- Scholars may also receive research and conferencing grants on request.
The scholarship will provide cover for up to 2 years – Honours students will receive funding for 1 year and Masters students will receive funding for 1 or 2 years.
Allowances are paid twice a year – scholars must submit proof of registration at the beginning of the year, and a progress report from your university 2 weeks after the second semester begins. Allowances are paid directly to scholars, while tuition and registration fees are paid to the tertiary institution.
Scholars will also take part in leadership development workshops – scholars will be required to attend residential workshops and regional pods, and may participate in the Mentoring Programme.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying:
- You must be a South African citizen OR a citizen of any other African country
- You must be between the ages of 19 and 29 old
- You must be willing to travel to South Africa if you reside in any other African country besides SA (the scholarship only covers studies in South Africa, therefore you must be willing to relocate to SA for your studies)
- You must intend on studying at one of these approved institutions (you do not have to have applied or been accepted yet):
- AFDA the School for the Creative Economy
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
- Monash University
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)
- North West University (NWU)
- Rhodes University (RU)
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of Fort Hare (UFH)
- University of Free State (UFS)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- University of Limpopo (UL)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- University of Stellenbosch (SU)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
- University of Venda (UNIVEN)
- University of Zululand (UNIZULU)
- Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
- Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
- You must have completed an undergraduate degree qualification OR you will complete an undergraduate degree qualification by 1 January 2025
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% or upper-second class Honours
- You must intend on studying towards a Postgraduate qualification in ANY field (Honours or Masters degree only – MBA studies are NOT covered), in 2025
- You must secure admission to your university by January 2025
- You must be fluent in English and able to study at a postgraduate level in English
- You must have strong leadership skills
- You must aim to be an ethical leader and be committed to using your talents to advance equality, freedom and human dignity in Africa
- You must show potential to embody the MRF’s founding principles (education, leadership, entrepreneurship, reconciliation)
- You must be committed to participating in the MRF leadership development programme, which is held in-person and online, taking place during the week or on weekends (3 workshops will be held in the first year in residence, and 2 in the second year)
- You must respect the conditions of tenure of the scholarship – it cannot be deferred to another year
- You must maintain high standards of work and conduct during your studies
- You must NOT be receiving any other scholarship or funding opportunity
- You may NOT perform any paid work for more than 12 hours a week during your studies
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online at: Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship Application 2025
Applicants will be required to Register an Account before they can Login and apply.
Required Documents:
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application:
- ID document, if a South African
- Passport, if not a South African
- Degree certificate (applicants from outside SA may need to complete SAQA verification to begin their studies at a South African university – see notes below for more information)
- Transcripts of academic results
- 3 letters of recommendation from people who have relevant experience of you and insight into your character (applicants must register each recommender on the Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship application platform and the recommender will then receive an email asking them to log on and upload their letter)
- 2 short essays (1 about your personal journey, and 1 about a specific question relating MRF principles)
Notes about the mandela rhodes foundation scholarship:
- All documents documents and transcripts must be provided in English.
- Candidates are advised to apply to study at more than 1 approved university – although proof of application is not required for this scholarship application.
- In South Africa, South African Qualifications Agency (SAQA) is the framework for registering and rating qualification levels. In order to be accepted for your selected programme, it is advisable to find out what the National Qualification Framework (NQF) requirements for your course are, and if your qualifications meet these requirements. SAQA accreditation can take between 4 and 8 weeks, therefore it is advisable to apply ASAP. Read more about the SAQA requirements on the SAQA website.
- The MRF does not provide assistance with visa applications (which is required to take up the scholarship in South Africa). Candidates must ensure that they apply for their study visa in time – it is advised to apply for a visa as soon as you receive acceptance from your university. Students who do not get their visas in time to begin the academic programme and Leadership Development Programme, could end up forfeiting the scholarship award.
- The Mandela Rhodes Foundation does NOT pay for the following: application fees for university, accreditation of your existing degrees through SAQA which may be an entry requirement to your course.
- Applicants are encouraged to read the MRF Scholarship T&C’s (.pdf)
