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Who can apply

Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.

Country of study
South Africa
Accepted nationalities
All African countries
Required country of residence
All countries
Degree already heldRequired
Bachelor’s
Target level
Bachelor’s and Master’s
Fields of study
All fields
Languages
  • English: level not specifiedRequired
Minimum age
at least 19 years old
Age limit
29 years old at most
Minimum grade
Above 70% or upper-second class Honours
Other conditions
  • You must attend the residential workshops and the regional pods: this is a condition of the scholarship.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Attendance at the residential workshops and regional pods is mandatory, and a condition of the scholarship.
  • You may not hold other scholarships or funded opportunities.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: You may not hold other scholarships and funded opportunities.

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

Paid
Tuition, housing, plane ticket and insurance
At your expense
Visa fees
Money to plan before leaving
  • The MRF does not pay your university application fees or the SAQA accreditation of your existing degrees, and does not fund your visa application.
When it is paid
Allowances are paid twice a year.

Dates

Applications open
9 March 2027 at 00:00 GMT+2 (Africa/Johannesburg)
Applications close
14 April 2027 at 23:59 GMT+2 (Africa/Johannesburg)
Results announced
You are told by the end of October whether you are selected as a Mandela Rhodes Scholar.
Studies start
The programme starts in January of your year in residence.

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

  1. Step 1: Complete the online application form on the MRF application platform and upload your documents and essays.To do at the same time as: step 2
    With whom
    You, the applicant
    By when
    14 April 2027 at 23:59 GMT+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) — By 14 April 2027, 23:59 GMT+2
    Documents to provide
    • Certificates of completion for your degrees
    • Transcripts of your academic results
    • Scans of your ID and passport documents
    • Two short essays (one on your personal journey, one on a question relating to the MRF principles)
  2. Step 2: Ask three people who know you well to write your recommendation letters, register them on the application platform and let them upload their letters directly.To do at the same time as: step 1
    With whom
    You and your three recommenders
    By when
    14 April 2027 at 23:59 GMT+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) — By 14 April 2027, 23:59 GMT+2
    Documents to provide
    • Three letters of recommendation in English, uploaded by the recommenders themselves
  3. Step 3: Apply separately to the South African university where you want to study; the MRF does not apply for you.
    With whom
    You, and the university you choose
    By when
    As early as possible; the award is conditional on being offered a place at the institution
    Documents to provide
    • Your application to the South African university of your choice (separate from the scholarship application)
  4. Step 4: If you reach the final round, attend an in-person interview in South Africa; candidates based outside South Africa are flown in.
    With whom
    You, before the MRF selection committee
    By when
    In October, during the application year
  5. Step 5: Apply for your study visa for South Africa as soon as you have your university acceptance.
    With whom
    You; the cost is yours
    By when
    Before January of your year in residence

Where to apply

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation (opens in a new tab) · Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

Official title (in English): The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

Edition Class of 2028 · Verified on 31 October 2026

Apply on the official website (opens in a new tab)

Official website of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation: mandelarhodes.org