Top Fully Funded Scholarships for South African Students 2025-2026

Are you a South African student dreaming of studying abroad or advancing your education without financial stress? Good news! there are numerous fully funded scholarships available for the 2025/2026 academic year that cover tuition fees, travel costs, living expenses, health insurance, and more.

This guide highlights the top scholarships you can apply for including eligibility, deadlines, benefits, and official application links. Whether you’re aiming for undergraduate, master’s, or PhD-level education, these opportunities are tailored for ambitious South African students like you.

What Does a Fully Funded Scholarship Cover?

A fully funded scholarship typically includes:

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance (stipend)
• Travel/airfare costs
• Visa application fees
• Accommodation and meals (in some cases)
• Health insurance
• Research and thesis funding (for graduate students)

List of Top Fully Funded Scholarships for South Africans

1. Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)

Overview: Chevening is a prestigious UK government scholarship offered to outstanding students from over 160 countries, including South Africa. It covers a one-year master’s degree at any UK university.

• Eligible Level: Master’s
• Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, flights, visa, travel grants
• Deadline: October 7, 2025 (expected)
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree, 2 years’ work experience, return to SA after studies

Apply here: https://www.chevening.org/scholarship/south-africa

2. Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship (Southern Africa)

Overview: Offers full funding for Honours or Master’s degrees within South Africa. It also includes a leadership development programme.

• Eligible Level: Honours, Master’s
• Coverage: Tuition, accommodation, meals, books, travel, medical aid, personal allowance
• Deadline: April 21, 2026 (for 2027 intake)
• Eligibility: Age 19–29, strong academics (min 70%), leadership potential

Apply here: https://www.mandelarhodes.org

3. DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Scholarships (Germany)

Overview: Funded by the German government, this scholarship supports South Africans pursuing postgraduate degrees in development-focused fields.

• Eligible Level: Master’s, PhD
• Coverage: Monthly stipend (€934–€1,300), travel, tuition, language training, health insurance
• Deadline: Usually October 1 annually
• Eligibility: Strong academic results, two years of work experience

Apply here: https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/

4. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (UK)

Overview: Sponsored by the UK government for students from Commonwealth nations, including South Africa.

• Eligible Level: Master’s
• Coverage: Tuition, airfare, living allowance, thesis grant
• Deadline: Expected October 2025
• Eligibility: Undergraduate degree, financial need, studying in one of six development themes

Apply here: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (UCT, UWC)

Overview: Offers comprehensive support to talented African students with leadership potential and financial need.

• Eligible Level: Undergraduate, Honours, Master’s
• Coverage: Tuition, accommodation, food, books, travel, mentorship
• Deadline: Varies by institution (typically Feb–May)
• Eligibility: Financial need, academic excellence, commitment to give back

Apply via participating universities:

• UCT MCF Portal
• UWC MCF Program

6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

Overview: Provides full funding for postgraduate study and research in the USA.

• Eligible Level: Master’s, PhD
• Coverage: Tuition, living allowance, airfare, health insurance
• Deadline: Usually May 1 for the next academic year
• Eligibility: Academic merit, strong leadership skills, South African citizenship

Apply here: https://za.usembassy.gov/education-culture/fulbright/

7. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships (University of Oxford)

Overview: Aimed at future leaders from developing countries who wish to study at Oxford University.

• Eligible Level: Master’s
• Coverage: 100% tuition and living expenses
• Deadline: Depends on chosen course (typically Dec–Jan)
• Eligibility: Return to home country commitment, leadership and community service

Apply via Oxford University: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/oxford-support/weidenfeld-hoffmann-scholarships-and-leadership-programme

8. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

Overview: Fully funded Japanese Government scholarship for South Africans to study undergraduate or postgraduate programs in Japan.

• Eligible Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
• Coverage: Tuition, monthly allowance, airfare
• Deadline: May 2025 (expected for SA applicants)
• Eligibility: Age limit, academic excellence, field of study relevance

Apply here: https://www.za.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/education.html

9. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Scholarships (Europe)

Overview: Offers full scholarships for joint Master’s degrees in Europe, often across 2–3 countries.

• Eligible Level: Master’s
• Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend (~€1,400), travel, installation allowance
• Deadline: Oct 2025 – Jan 2026 (varies per course)
• Eligibility: Academic merit, strong motivation letter

Find programs and apply: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/emjmd-catalogue_en

10. Orange Tulip Scholarship (Netherlands)

Overview: Scholarship scheme for South Africans offered by Dutch universities and institutions.

• Eligible Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s
• Coverage: Varies – tuition waivers, full tuition, partial funding
• Deadline: February–April 2026 (varies)
• Eligibility: SA citizenship, admission to participating Dutch university

Apply here: https://www.studyinholland.nl/finances/orange-tulip-scholarship-programme

🇿🇦 Honourable Mentions (Local and Niche Funding)

Here are a few additional opportunities worth exploring:

• NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarships (SA-based postgraduate students)
  → https://www.nrf.ac.za
• South African Reserve Bank Bursary Scheme
  → https://www.resbank.co.za
• ISFAP (for Missing Middle Students)
  → https://www.isfap.org.za
• NSFAS Postgraduate Pilot (Honours & PG Dip)
  → https://www.nsfas.org.za

Tips to Boost Your Chances

• Start early – gather your documents at least 3–6 months before the deadline.
• Write strong motivation letters tailored to each scholarship.
• Request references early – many scholarships require 2–3 recommendation letters.
• Proofread everything – grammar and clarity matter.
• Use official websites only – avoid third-party agents asking for payment.

N/B:

Studying through a fully funded scholarship is not only possible — it’s achievable. With the right planning, research, and a strong application, you can join the thousands of South African students who are transforming their lives through education.

Whether you want to study at Oxford, in Germany, Canada, or even in Japan, there’s a fully funded opportunity waiting for you.

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