The Mandela Rhodes Scholarships Program combines financial support for postgraduate studies and a high-quality leadership development programme, to build exceptional leadership capacity in Africa.
A Mandela Rhodes Scholarship enables a Scholar to study at a South African tertiary institution registered with the South African Council on Higher Education for an accredited postgraduate degree programme.
The Scholarship is awarded for one or a maximum of two years, currently for an Honours or Masters degree.
The leadership development programme comprises the following three components.
- Three residential workshops
- Three regional group pods
- Mentoring
Summary of the 2025 Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarships
Type: Postgraduate, Masters scholarship
Country to study: South Africa
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Sponsor: Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF)
Eligible Countries: All African countries
Scholarship Perks:
- Tuition and registration fees,
- Economy-class travel allowance,
- Accommodation and meal allowances and lots more
Deadline: April 21, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
- The Mandela Rhodes Scholarships are open to citizens of all African countries.
- The Scholarship is for postgraduate study at South African universities or tertiary institutions.
- Full funding is for Honours (maximum one year) or Masters (up to a maximum of two years) or their equivalents (MBA’s excluded).
- Any individual who will be between the ages of 19 and 30 years at the time of taking up the Scholarship may apply.
- Applicants must possess a first degree or its equivalent or must be in the process of completing one by 31 January 2026.
- Applicants should have a history of well-above average-academic results.
- Individuals that reflect in their character a commitment to the four principles of Education, Reconciliation, Leadership and Entrepreneurship.
- The MRF leadership development activities sometimes include weekends. It is a condition of the Scholarship that attendance is compulsory.
Perks – 2025 Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarships
The Scholarship covers the cost of a Scholar as follows:
- Tuition and registration fees as set by the institution.
- A study materials allowance as set by the MRF.
- Accommodation and meal allowances as set by the MRF.
- A medical aid allowance as set by the MRF.
- Economy-class travel allowance for international Scholars only from the Scholar’s home to their institution at the beginning and back home at the end of their degree programme.
- Personal allowance.
Required Documents
- Recommendation Letters
- Documentation: Degree certificates, academic transcripts, ID, and passport scans
- Essays: Personal journey and a specific question related to the scholarship’s principles
- Application for university admission
- South African Qualification Agency Certificate (for non-South African applicants)
Application Deadline: April 21, 2025