Mandela Rhodes Scholarship – Postgraduate Study in South Africa (Class of 2027 Closed; Class of 2028 Opens March 2027)

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship funds postgraduate study (Honours and Master’s degrees) in any field at institutions in South Africa, paired with an intensive leadership development programme built around Nelson Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Status: The Class of 2027 application round closed 14 April 2026. The Class of 2028 round is expected to open 9 March 2027 — worth bookmarking now if you are finishing your undergraduate degree in 2027.

What it covers: Tuition fees, accommodation, meals, and travel costs for the full postgraduate programme, plus mandatory participation in week-long residential leadership workshops throughout your scholarship period.

Detailed Eligibility Checklist

• Citizen of any African country — regardless of where you currently live or study
• Aged 19–29 in the year of application
• Undergraduate degree completed (or completing by 1 January of the intake year) with a minimum 70% average or upper-second class Honours
• Able to study at postgraduate level in English
• Intending to study Honours or Master’s (any field) — MBAs, block courses, and predominantly online programmes are not funded

An Important Restriction Most Applicants Miss

You must study in South Africa, at a South African institution — you cannot use this scholarship to study in your own home country, even if you are South African, and distance learning is not permitted since the leadership programme requires in-person participation. If your qualifications come from outside South Africa, budget 4–8 weeks for SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) accreditation, which can otherwise delay your university acceptance and study visa.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Apply for admission to your chosen postgraduate programme at a South African university — do this early, since you cannot accept the scholarship without a confirmed university place.
2. Start the SAQA evaluation process immediately if your prior qualification is from outside South Africa.
3. Register an account on the Mandela Rhodes Foundation application portal once it opens.
4. Submit your application with academic records, essays, and supporting documents before the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply while still finishing my undergraduate degree? Yes, provided you will complete it before 1 January of the intake year.

Is this the same as the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford? No — despite the shared name, the Rhodes Scholarship sends scholars to the University of Oxford in the UK, while the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship funds study within South Africa.