Scholarships

Scholarships in South Africa for International Students

Discover 8 scholarships available for international students looking to study in South Africa, including government-funded, university-administered, and private foundation awards.

South Africa · NGO

RUFORUM Graduate Scholarships 2026

Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)

Usually covers tuition, a living stipend and research support; some calls are fully funded.

Master's PhD
Open · Next: RUFORUM scholarship calls open at different times during the year and each sets its own closing date; confirm current deadlines on the official RUFORUM website.
South Africa · NGO

Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship 2026

Allan Gray Orbis Foundation

Covers undergrad tuition, housing, meals, books and a monthly stipend, plus mentorship.

Bachelor's
Open · Next: Applications run annually with country-specific deadlines: South African applicants have typically applied earlier in the year and regional applicants later. Confirm the exact 2026 deadlines on the official Foundation website.
United States · NGO

Margaret McNamara Education Grants 2026

Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG)

One-time grants for women from developing countries; up to US$15,000 (US-Canada), US$7,000 (S.Africa/Latin Ame

Master's PhD
Open · Next: Deadlines vary by program: US-Canada and Trinity Washington close January 15; France closes January 15; South Africa closes September 14; Latin America & Caribbean closes September 30. Confirm current dates on the MMEG site.
South Africa · University

AIMS Structured Master's Scholarship 2026

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)

Full Ride

Master's
Open · Next: AIMS opens applications annually, with deadlines typically several months before the intake begins; specialised tracks may have separate dates. Confirm current deadlines on the official AIMS website.
South Africa · Government

NRF Postgraduate Scholarships 2026

National Research Foundation (NRF)

Covers tuition, housing, a living allowance and study materials, at full or partial cost.

Master's PhD
Open · Next: The NRF runs an annual cycle, usually opening around mid-year for the next academic year with separate Master's, Doctoral and extension windows. Exact dates are published per cycle; university internal deadlines are typically earlier.
South Africa · University

University of Cape Town International Scholarships 2026

University of Cape Town

A partial contribution toward study costs, not full funding; amount varies each year.

Master's PhD
Open · Next: UCT holds one annual call when funding allows, with dates published each cycle.
South Africa · NGO

Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2027

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation

Full Ride

Master's
Open · Next: Applications generally open early in the year and close around mid-April for the following year's intake; confirm the exact 2027 cycle deadline on the official Mandela Rhodes Foundation website.
South Africa · University

Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Scholarships 2026

Stellenbosch University

Master's awards of R75,000-R150,000/yr (up to 2 yrs); doctoral up to R170,000/yr (up to 3 yrs).

Master's PhD
Open · Next: Applications generally open around September and close around the end of October, the year before study begins; confirm exact dates with the Postgraduate Funding Office.