Deadline: 21 April 2024
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship offers comprehensive funding for the core costs associated with your postgraduate studies in South Africa in any field, with the exception of MBAs. It covers tuition for a one-year Honours degree or a two-year Masters degree in any field at a recognised South African institution of higher education. This includes tuition and registration fees, allowances for study materials, research, and medical aid, accommodation and meals, personal allowance and economy class travel to and from your home country to your South African university at the beginning and end of your degree. You will also receive a personal allowance.
A Mandela Rhodes Scholarship enables a Scholar to study at a South African-located tertiary institution registered with the South African Council of Higher Education (and approved by the MRF) for an accredited postgraduate degree programme. The Scholarship is currently awarded for either a one year Honours or an up to two years Master’s degree, or their academic equivalents.
ELIGIBLE UNIVERSITIES
You can study at the following universities in South Africa:
AFDA, the School for the Creative Economy
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Durban University of Technology
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Monash University
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
North West University
Rhodes University
Tshwane University of Technology
University of Cape Town
University of Fort Hare
University of Free State
University of Johannesburg
University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of Limpopo
University of Pretoria
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Western Cape
University of the Witwatersrand
University of Venda
University of Zululand
Vaal University of Technology
Walter Sisulu University
PROFILE OF A MANDELA RHODES SCHOLAR:
Leadership
Do you aspire to be a visionary leader who has moral authority? Do you see leadership as more than just personal ambition - as a way to pursue the advancement of equality and freedom, human rights and human dignity? And do you want to guide and inspire others to reach their full potential?
Reconciliation
Do you believe that reconciliation - combined with reparation - is the key to harnessing an imperfect past to develop a more just world? And are you prepared to start the process by looking at your own internal landscape?
Education
Do you have excellent academic results but believe that your education should not only benefit you but make a difference for others? And do you agree that intellectual excellence must be accompanied by character and a rounded personality?
Entrepreneurship
Do you want to see Africa take its rightful place as an equal and competitive presence in the global world? Have you demonstrated individual effort, innovation and creativity to this end?
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
If you are between the ages of 19 and 29, are a citizen of any African country, and have a first degree with above average academic results (70% or upper second), you are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is competitive. It is for young leaders who have a combination of intellect and character. You must be academically strong: your marks should be above 70% or an upper second. You must also have demonstrated leadership on your campus or in your community
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is for postgraduate study (Honours and Masters degrees) in any field, with the exception of MBAs.
What costs are covered?
Tuition and registration fees as set by your university or institution
A study materials allowance as set by the MRF
Accommodation and meal allowances as set by the MRF
A medical aid allowance as set by the MRF
A personal allowance as set by the MRF
Research and conferencing grants can be made available on request
Economy-class flights for international scholars from their home countries to their institutions at the start and end of their studies
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation does not pay for your application fees for university, or for the accreditation of your existing degrees through SAQA, which may be an entry requirement to your course. They also do not provide financial support for visa applications.
HOW TO APPLY
You must apply online. You can log onto the applications platform to access your application and upload your documents and essays. The three people who write your recommendation letters must also log onto the platform to upload their letters directly. You must give them plenty of time to write their letters, sign onto the platform, and upload them. Your application cannot be submitted without the letters and will not be considered. In summary, you need to provide the following supporting materials:
3 recommendation letters
Undergraduate degree certificate and transcript of your result
Copy of your ID and passport
2 short essays
Name of the course you want to study for
It is also recommended that you have your degree assessed by SAQA as soon as possible.