Fully Funded Postgraduate Scholarship for Young African Leaders — Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2027
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Are you a young African leader with excellent academic results and a burning desire to transform the African continent? The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is one of Africa’s most prestigious and life-changing scholarships, combining full financial support with an intensive leadership development programme designed to grow you from the inside out.
Scholarship Title
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship — Class of 2027. Offered by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation to equip young African leaders with the competence and courage to transform Africa, keeping Nelson Mandela’s legacy alive through reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Benefits
This scholarship provides comprehensive funding covering:
- Full tuition and registration fees for a one-year Honours or two-year Masters degree
- Allowances for study materials and research
- Medical aid coverage
- Accommodation and meals
- Personal monthly allowance
- Economy class travel to and from your home country at the start and end of your degree
- Access to a world-class Leadership Development Programme delivered through residential workshops
- Connection to a network of young African changemakers across the continent
Requirements & Eligibility
To qualify for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, you must:
- Be a citizen of an African country
- Be between 19 and 29 years of age in the year of applying
- Hold an undergraduate degree with excellent academic results (above 70% or upper-second class Honours) by 1 January 2027
- Be able to study at postgraduate level in English
- Demonstrate potential in the four core principles: Leadership, Reconciliation, Education, and Entrepreneurship
- Be open to personal growth, self-awareness, and inner transformation
- Note: Applicants from outside South Africa may need to complete SAQA verification before commencing studies
Where Can You Study?
Recipients study at a recognised South African university of their choice, in any field at Honours or Masters level.
What Makes a Mandela Rhodes Scholar?
The Foundation looks for young leaders who demonstrate:
- Leadership — Visionary, morally grounded, and committed to equality and human dignity
- Reconciliation — A belief in harnessing the past to build a more just world
- Education — Academic excellence combined with a desire to uplift others
- Entrepreneurship — Innovation, creativity, and a drive to position Africa competitively on the global stage
How to Apply
- Visit the Mandela Rhodes Foundation website to access the online application platform
- Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements
- Prepare your supporting documents (including passport — contact MRF if you need assistance)
- If applying from outside South Africa, check SAQA verification requirements early
- Submit your completed application before the deadline
Other Important Information
- Application Opens: March 2026
- Application Deadline: 14 April 2026
- Intake Year: 2027 (Class of 2027)
- Degree Level: Postgraduate only (Honours or Masters) — undergraduate study is not funded
- Study Location: South Africa
- Language of Study: English
- Programme Duration: One year (Honours) or two years (Masters)
- Leadership Workshops: Mandatory residential workshops are part of the scholarship programme
For more information and application:
Visit the official website of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship — Class of 2027
