Known as the rainbow nation with its 11 official languages and more, South Africa opens a lot of opportunities to international students. This country is made of a highly diverse population, breathtaking natural geography, and much history. It will be a perfect option if you’re looking for a new country to take your studies to the next level.
Aside from the country’s gem, education in South Africa is another thing to look at. Universities offer world-class and affordable education to both local and foreign students. For the past years, the population of international students taking up programs in South Africa increases because of the quality of learning and experience.
South Africa scholarships are also provided to incoming and current international students in this country. If you’re looking for awards and scholarships to support your studies, this country can help you finance your education.
Top Scholarships in South Africa for International Students
1. The University of Pretoria Ph.D. Commonwealth Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: R170 000 for accommodation, books, medical aid costs, and airplane tickets (university will refund the application and the visa cost)
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.
The University of Pretoria (UP) is a public research university and is also considered one of the best universities in South Africa. Since they continuously provide outstanding and extrinsic research, they offer South Africa scholarships to international students (coming from the Commonwealth countries) who excel academically and have strong research skills.
The duration of the scholarship is three years. To start your application, download the application form in the scholarship link. Along with your application, you will need to attach some documents such as your curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, passport, motivation letter, an outline of your proposed research work, and other documents. You will send your application as a PDF file and send it via email.
The UP Commonwealth scholarship award will be based on your overall academic performance, leadership skills, and other proof showing your research skills. The University’s Institutional Selection Committee will do the selection process, and if you’re chosen, you’ll be sent an email. Lastly, please be informed that you should submit your applications early since this is a competitive scholarship, and they don’t accept late applications.
2. Canon Collins Scholarship for Economic Justice
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: R60,000 as a partial monetary contribution for your studies and internship program.
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Canon Collins Educational and Legal Assistance Trust offers one of the best scholarships in South Africa and aims to promote social justice by creating a community of leaders, thinkers, and others that can promote social justice. As a part of their goals, they also provide scholarships.
The Canon Collins Scholarship for Economic Justice is funded and partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand and the Institute of Economic Justice. This award is open to students from South Africa, Namibia, or Zimbabwe and must be applying for a Masters of Commerce in Applied Development Economics at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
To qualify for this South Africa scholarship, the applicant should have good academic records with a minimum grade point average of 75%. Also, leadership skills and commitment in promoting social and economic development will be an advantage. To start your application, kindly open the scholarship link to apply for the scholarship. Lastly, if your application is successful, you should be available to take a paid internship after your studies.
3. The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee cost (1 year for honor’s, 2 years for master’s), allowances for personal use, registrations, study materials, travel, and more
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Honor’s
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation offers scholarships to Africans of any country taking up honors and master’s degrees in an African university. They aim to create leaders for the future, and they are looking for students who have these potentials.
The application for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is made online. On their website, you’ll see the step-by-step application process. Some documents should be prepared, such as recommendation letters, educational transcripts and certificates, a copy of your passport, two essays about your personal journey, and the foundation’s principles. Also, this South Africa scholarship encourages you to apply early for your chosen African university.
4. University of Cape Town – International and Refugee Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: R25,000 for Honor’s, R30,000 for Master’s, R35,000 for Ph.D.
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D., Honor’s
Founded in 1829, the University of Cape Town (UCT) in Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa, is a public research university and is considered the oldest university in South Africa. Today, UCT continuously provides quality education and research to its students. They are the leading university in South Africa.
As they promote quality education to their local and international students, they also provide South Africa scholarships to support them. The International and Refugee Scholarships is funded by UCT, and it aims to assist financially international students in taking up programs in honor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The scholarship amount serves as additional support to the cost of attendance.
For the qualifications and requirements, you may contact the UCT admission office. These scholarships can be renewed, depending on your academic performance in your respective programs.
5. Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee and other educational costs, personal stipends, airfare tickets, accommodation, and departure fees
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.
The Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships awards scholarships to the nationals of Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Malawi. The Beit Trust has academic partners with British and South African universities, where they offer these scholarships. In South Africa, this is open to three universities: Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, and Rhodes University.
You can apply for this scholarship in South Africa through the partner universities of the foundation. You should be accepted by your chosen program and university, and then you can submit your application for the scholarship. To start your application, kindly contact your university first to know the dates and documents needed.
We hope that this article on the best scholarships in South Africa was helpful! To know more information like this, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
