Did you know that South African universities offer scholarships for international students? Some of these are fully funded scholarships for international students in South Africa! If you are an international student and you would like to get a scholarship in this country, check out the application tips and scholarship listing below.
How to get a scholarship at a South African University
1. Research on available scholarship opportunities
- Go to university websites and see if there are scholarships that you can apply for. You can also check out scholarships from various foundations and trusts set up by individuals and companies.
2. Visit university websites to check out available study programs
- Once you identify scholarships that you can apply for, visit the university websites to get information on the study programs covered by these scholarships.
3. Check the eligibility criteria for the study programs
- Next, establish whether you meet the eligibility criteria for these study programs. These include age, previous education, nationality, etc. Note that you must meet all the mandatory requirements to qualify for a scholarship.
4. Contact Financial Aid
- Get in touch with the Financial Aid office to establish if the scholarships you qualify for are still available, how much they cover, and the duration of each one.
5. Prepare your supporting documents
- Every scholarship application requires supporting documents that verify your eligibility for the scholarship. These include academic certificates, certificates indicating extra-curricular achievements and community service, personal identification documents, and references. These must be sent to the scholarship selection panel in the format required.
6. Submit a strong application
- Scholarship selection committees have lots of applications to go through each year, so make sure your application stands out! If there is a written essay required, make sure it catches the eye of the scholarship committee. Also, highlight all your achievements, both academic and extra-curricular, and ensure that your application is complete.
7. Apply early
- Start working on your application early so that you are not rushing to finish it at the last minute. Once you identify a scholarship, find out when the deadline is and work backward to give yourself enough time to work on your application.
8. Seek Guidance
- Lastly, if you are not sure how to apply for an international scholarship, find someone to guide you through the process. Email the admissions office at the university you have chosen to attend and ask for help.
Below is a list of the top 7 great scholarships for international students at South African Universities.
7. MINDS Scholarship Program for Leadership Development
- Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) started the Scholarship Program for Leadership Development to enable African students to study in another African country other than their home country.
- This scholarship covers postgraduate studies, giving students from around Africa the opportunity to broaden their education.
- The scholarship awards are given as full or partial scholarships, covering tuition, a fixed stipend, accommodation and meals, and an air ticket.
6. Nelson Mandela University Postgraduate Research Scholarships
- The Nelson Mandela University Postgraduate Research Scholarships, one of the free scholarships for international students at South African universities, targets students who are enrolled in full-time honors, masters, and doctoral studies at the University.
- South African citizens, permanent residents, and international candidates who demonstrate financial need, are living with a disability, or have outstanding academic achievements are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
- This University offers partial and full-cost scholarships to cover the entire study period.
5. University of Cape Town Scholarships
- The University of Cape Town offers one of the top 7 great scholarships for international students at South African Universities to its students. These scholarships are available every year to international refugee students for postgraduate study.
- This scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to students who are enrolled in any study program at UCT. Students must however have the means to fund their studies, as these are supplementary scholarships.
4. University of Johannesburg Scholarships
- The University of Johannesburg offers academic merit bursaries every year to new undergraduate students who display exceptional academic achievement. These bursaries are given to students from SADC countries.
- The bursary value is based on the marks obtained in the six best subjects from the student’s high school results.
3. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town
- The MFSP at the University of Cape Town offers fully funded scholarships for international students in South Africa. These scholarships are awarded to young African students who are looking to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies at UCT.
- The MasterCard Scholarships cover the full period of postgraduate study subject to annual renewal. The scholarship benefits include tuition fees, a travel allowance, accommodation, and a stipend.
2. University of The Witwatersrand Scholarships
- The University of Wits Scholarship Program is another of the 7 great scholarships for international students at South African Universities. This scholarship program offers several scholarships, including:
- Postgraduate Merit Award for International Students – This scholarship is awarded based on merit. There is no formal application for this scholarship as offers are sent to eligible students as soon as they apply to study at the university.
- Mandela Rhodes Scholarship – This scholarship is available for full-time students who are citizens of African countries. Application for this scholarship is done online.
1. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Pretoria
- The MFSP offers free scholarships for international students at South African universities at the University of Pretoria. These scholarships target high-achieving African students who are academically talented, economically disadvantaged, and living with a disability, as refugees or as internally displaced people.
- This fully-funded scholarship covers postgraduate studies at the University of Pretoria.
Even though there are no government of South Africa scholarships for international students, these 7 great scholarships for international students at South African Universities are available for you to try out. Check them out today!