The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is one of Africa’s most respected postgraduate awards, built on Nelson Mandela’s legacy and the Foundation’s pillars of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. It pairs full financial support with an intensive leadership development programme, so scholars don’t just earn a degree — they join a cohort of young African changemakers.
Imagine receiving a prestigious offer to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy. That, in itself, is a huge win for young, ambitious African change-makers.
If you’re an African citizen with strong undergraduate results and a genuine drive to lead and serve, this scholarship lets you study an Honours or Master’s degree in any field at a recognised South African university. The combination of funding, residential workshops, and a continent-wide network is what sets it apart.
Applications for the Class of 2028 open on 9 March 2027 and close in November 2027 (the exact closing date is announced annually). Below is a clear breakdown of what’s covered, who qualifies, and how to put together a competitive application.
Scholarship benefits
- Full tuition and registration fees
- Allowances for study materials, research, and medical aid
- Accommodation and meals
- A personal allowance
- Economy class travel to and from South Africa at the start and end of the degree
- Participation in the leadership development workshops
Eligibility checklist
✔ Be a citizen of an African country
✔ Be aged between 19 and 29 in the year of application
✔ Hold an undergraduate degree with excellent results (minimum 70% or an upper-second class Honours)
✔ Be able to study at a postgraduate level in English
✔ Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and service
✔ Show openness to personal growth, self-awareness, and engagement with diversity
Application tips for African students
- Start gathering your academic transcripts early and confirm whether SAQA verification is needed for your qualifications as a non-South African applicant — this process can take weeks, so don’t leave it until the last minute.
- The personal essays carry real weight. Write specifically about how you’ve shown leadership, reconciliation, education, or entrepreneurship in your own life, with concrete examples rather than general statements about ambition.
- Approach referees who know your work well and can speak to both your academic ability and your leadership character. Ask them at least a month before you submit and brief them on the Mandela Rhodes principles.
- Selection includes an interview, so prepare to talk honestly about self-awareness, your blind spots, and how you engage with people different from you — this scholarship values inner growth, not just grades.
- Have a clear, well-articulated reason for your chosen Honours or Masters programme and how it connects to your goal of serving your community or continent.
- Confirm your university admission requirements separately, since you must secure a place at a recognised South African university to take up the award.
- Submit early in the 9 March–November window rather than waiting for the deadline; a rushed application rarely reflects your best thinking.
How to apply
Begin by reviewing the eligibility and programme requirements, then prepare your documents — academic transcripts, CV, personal essays, references, and a passport copy. Applications are submitted online through the Mandela Rhodes Foundation application portal between 9 March and November 2027 for the Class of 2028. Apply via the official page: https://mandelarhodes.org/scholarship/apply/
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship?
Citizens of any African country who are aged 19–29 in the year of application, hold an undergraduate degree with at least 70% or an upper-second class Honours, can study in English, and show leadership potential aligned with the Foundation’s principles.
What does the scholarship cover?
It provides full financial support: tuition and registration fees, allowances for study materials, research and medical aid, accommodation and meals, a personal allowance, and economy class travel to and from South Africa. Scholars also join the leadership development workshops.
What degree levels are funded?
Honours degrees (1 year) and Masters degrees (2 years) in any field of study at a recognised South African university.
What is the application deadline?
Applications for the Class of 2028 open on 9 March 2027 and close in November 2027. The exact closing date is announced annually, so check the official page to confirm.
How are candidates selected?
Selection is based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, and alignment with the Mandela Rhodes principles. The process includes an application review, references, and interviews, with attention to your openness to personal growth and diversity.
Where will I study?
At recognised universities in South Africa.
AFRICA needs YOU to be a Change maker!