Applications must be submitted online at: Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship Application 2026
Applicants will be required to Register an Account before they can Login and apply.
Required Documents:
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application:
- ID document, if a South African
- Passport, if not a South African
- Degree certificate (applicants from outside SA may need to complete SAQA verification to begin their studies at a South African university – see notes below for more information)
- Transcripts of academic results
- 3 letters of recommendation from people who have relevant experience of you and insight into your character (applicants must register each recommender on the Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship application platform and the recommender will then receive an email asking them to log on and upload their letter)
- 2 short essays (1 about your personal journey, and 1 about a specific question relating MRF principles)
Notes about the Mandela Rhodes Foundation scholarship
- All documents and transcripts must be provided in English.
- Candidates are advised to apply to study at more than 1 approved university – although proof of application is not required for this scholarship application.
- In South Africa, South African Qualifications Agency (SAQA) is the framework for registering and rating qualification levels. In order to be accepted for your selected programme, it is advisable to find out what the National Qualification Framework (NQF) requirements for your course are, and if your qualifications meet these requirements. SAQA accreditation can take between 4 and 8 weeks, therefore it is advisable to apply ASAP. Read more about the SAQA requirements on the SAQA website.
- The MRF does not provide assistance with visa applications (which is required to take up the scholarship in South Africa). Candidates must ensure that they apply for their study visa in time – it is advised to apply for a visa as soon as you receive acceptance from your university. Students who do not get their visas in time to begin the academic programme and Leadership Development Programme could end up forfeiting the scholarship award.
- The Mandela Rhodes Foundation does NOT pay for the following: application fees for university, accreditation of your existing degrees through SAQA which may be an entry requirement to your course.
- Applicants are encouraged to read the MRF Scholarship T&C’s (.pdf)
Selection process for the Mandela Rhodes Foundation scholarship
- Please note that following selection process and dates:
- Applications open on 17 March 2025.
- Applications close on 21 April 2025.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the end of June 2025 and moved on to round 2.
- Further shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the end of July 2025 and moved on to round 3.
- All candidates will be contacted by the end of August 2025 to inform them if they have been unsuccessful or been invited for an interview in the final round.
- Students will be invited to attend an interview in South Africa and will be notified by the end of October 2025 if they have been selected to receive a scholarship. Students residing outside of South Africa will be flown in for an in-person interview.
- Selected Mandela Rhodes Scholars must then secure a placement at university between October and December 2025 (for the 2026 academic year), and a study visa if they are from outside of South Africa.