Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, awarded by The Mandela Rhodes Foundation, develops exceptional young African leaders by combining postgraduate study with an intensive leadership development programme. It funds a one-year Honours degree or a two-year Master's degree in any field at a recognised South African university, and is open to citizens of any African country regardless of where they currently live or study. The award is comprehensive: it covers tuition and registration fees, allowances for study materials, research and medical aid, accommodation and meals, a personal allowance, and economy-class return travel between the scholar's home country and their South African university at the start and end of the degree. Around 50 scholars are selected each year. Beyond academics, the Foundation looks for the four principles of Education, Leadership, Reconciliation and Entrepreneurship, and applicants must submit three letters of recommendation through the application platform along with their academic transcripts and identity documents. Selection is highly competitive and rewards both scholarly excellence and demonstrated leadership potential.

Eligibility

• Be a citizen of an African country (wherever you currently live or study)
• Be between 19 and 29 years old
• Hold an undergraduate degree with results above 70% (upper-second/Honours level)
• Be able to study at postgraduate level in English in South Africa
• Provide three letters of recommendation via the application platform