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Scholarship Programmes South Africa 2027

Scholarships are a form of education funding available to students who meet the eligibility and selection requirements set by the scholarship provider. Grads24 lists scholarships for South African students at different study levels, fields of study and institutions, including opportunities to study in South Africa and abroad.

WHAT ARE SCHOLARSHIPS?

A scholarship is financial support provided to a student for education or academic study. Scholarships can be offered by universities, companies, government organisations, foundations, international organisations and other institutions.

The eligibility criteria and funding provided depend on the individual scholarship. Some scholarships consider academic performance, while others may focus on a particular field of study, leadership, research, financial need, nationality or other criteria.

Scholarships should not be assumed to have the same requirements as bursaries. Students should always check the specific conditions of the scholarship before applying.

WHAT SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS?

South African students can find scholarships covering different study levels, academic disciplines and destinations. Depending on the provider, opportunities may be available for undergraduate study, postgraduate qualifications, research or study at an international institution.

  • Undergraduate scholarships
  • Postgraduate scholarships
  • International scholarships
  • University scholarships
  • Research scholarships
  • Field-specific scholarships
  • Scholarships offered by companies and foundations
  • Government and international scholarship programmes

The availability of each scholarship changes according to its application cycle. Students should therefore check the current closing date and eligibility requirements before applying.

ARE THERE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS?

Yes. Some scholarships are available to students entering or already studying towards an undergraduate qualification.

For example, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) offers undergraduate scholarships for eligible students studying qualifying degrees at South African universities. Its undergraduate scholarship opportunities have included fields such as engineering, physics and computer science.

University entrance scholarships are another type of undergraduate scholarship. These may be awarded to students entering university based on criteria such as academic achievement and admission results.

Undergraduate scholarship requirements differ between providers, so applicants should check whether the opportunity is intended for first-year students, current university students or both.

WHAT POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE?

Postgraduate scholarships support students pursuing qualifications such as Honours, Master’s and doctoral degrees. Some are available across several academic disciplines, while others are restricted to a particular research area or institution.

International postgraduate scholarships can also provide funding for South African students to study at universities outside the country.

Students looking specifically for postgraduate funding can also browse Postgraduate Bursaries.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS CAN SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS APPLY FOR?

South African students can apply for international scholarships where South Africa is included among the eligible countries. These scholarships may be funded by foreign governments, universities, foundations or international organisations.

  • Chevening Scholarship for Studies in the UK for eligible students pursuing a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
  • Commonwealth Scholarships for eligible students from participating Commonwealth countries.
  • Fulbright opportunities for eligible students and researchers studying or conducting research in the United States.
  • DAAD scholarships supporting eligible international students and researchers in Germany.
  • Erasmus Mundus scholarships supporting eligible students participating in selected joint Master’s programmes in Europe and partner countries.

International scholarships can have additional requirements relating to university admission, language proficiency, visas, qualifications and the country of study. Applicants should use the official scholarship provider’s requirements when preparing an application.

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DO SCHOLARSHIPS COVER?

There is no single list of fields covered by all scholarships. Some scholarships accept students from a broad range of disciplines, while others are designed specifically for particular academic or professional fields.

Depending on the individual opportunity, scholarships may be available for fields such as:

  • Engineering
  • Science
  • Medicine and health sciences
  • Information technology and computer science
  • Accounting and finance
  • Agriculture
  • Law
  • Business and management
  • Education
  • Social sciences and humanities
  • Arts and other academic disciplines

These fields are examples of areas in which scholarships may be available and should not be interpreted as the eligibility list for every scholarship. The individual scholarship determines which qualifications and fields are supported.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS?

Scholarship requirements are determined by the organisation offering the funding. Common eligibility criteria may include:

  • South African citizenship or eligibility based on the scholarship’s participating countries
  • Admission to an eligible university or study programme
  • A specific academic qualification or level of study
  • Minimum academic results where required
  • Study in an approved field or qualification
  • Specific age or career requirements where applicable
  • Work experience for certain postgraduate or professional scholarships
  • Research or leadership experience for selected programmes

Not every scholarship will have all of these requirements. Students should check the eligibility criteria for the specific opportunity before submitting an application.

WHAT DO SCHOLARSHIPS COVER?

The amount and type of funding vary between scholarships. Depending on the programme, a scholarship may cover some or all of the costs associated with study.

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation
  • Study materials or books
  • Living expenses
  • Travel costs
  • Research expenses
  • Visa-related costs for selected international scholarships

Some scholarships provide full funding, while others cover only particular expenses. The scholarship’s official funding terms should be checked before an applicant assumes that a particular cost will be covered.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?

Scholarship applications are normally completed according to the process specified by the funding provider. Many applications are submitted online.

  1. Check the scholarship’s eligibility requirements.
  2. Confirm that your qualification, field of study and institution are eligible.
  3. Check the application opening and closing dates.
  4. Prepare the required information and supporting documents.
  5. Complete the official application form.
  6. Review your application and supporting information.
  7. Submit the application before the closing date.
  8. Keep confirmation of your application and monitor your communication channels for updates.

Some scholarships have additional selection stages, such as interviews, assessments or the submission of further documents.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION?

The required documents depend on the scholarship. Applicants may be asked to provide:

  • South African ID or passport
  • Academic results or transcripts
  • Degree or qualification certificates
  • Proof of university admission
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Motivation letter or personal statement
  • Reference or recommendation letters
  • Proof of income or financial circumstances where required
  • Research proposal for research-based scholarships
  • Proof of citizenship or other eligibility documents

Applicants should only provide documents requested by the scholarship provider and follow the specified format and submission instructions.

WHEN DO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS CLOSE?

There is no single closing date for scholarships. Each scholarship provider establishes its own application period, and some opportunities open and close at different times during the year.

Students should check the closing date before starting an application and avoid waiting until the final day to submit documents or complete an online application.

Grads24 regularly publishes funding opportunities and their application deadlines so students can identify scholarships that are currently open or approaching their closing dates.

View Bursaries and Scholarships Open Now

HOW CAN STUDENTS AVOID SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS?

Students should verify scholarship opportunities before providing personal information or making payments. A legitimate scholarship should have identifiable information about the provider, eligibility requirements, application process and funding terms.

  • Check the scholarship provider’s official website.
  • Confirm the closing date and application requirements.
  • Use the official application method rather than an unknown third-party link.
  • Be cautious of requests for unnecessary payments or sensitive personal information.
  • Do not assume that a scholarship is legitimate simply because it appears on social media.
  • Verify important information with the organisation offering the scholarship.

Grads24 provides information to help students discover funding opportunities, but applicants should verify the latest requirements and application details with the official scholarship provider before applying.

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