Below is a list of ongoing fully-funded and partial scholarships for students in South Africa to help fund your studies abroad or in South Africa. View list, learn how to apply for scholarships and win a scholarship today.
Applications are now open for the 2025 United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme. The Fellowship Programme is intended to enable qualified professionals, in particular government officials and teachers of international law from developing countries and countries with emerging economies, to deepen their knowledge of international law and of the legal work of the United Nations. Apply now!
Date Posted: 17 Jan, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) AI for Science Scholarship Program. They invite students from across Africa to apply to be part of the September 2025 cohort and become one of their 40 Google DeepMind Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. Apply now!
Date Posted: 17 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the Mercy Corps Ventures Anticipatory Action Accelerator 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 17 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the Liveability Challenge 2025. Join this challenge and stand a chance to receive a grant of S$1 million. Apply now!
Date Posted: 17 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the ITLOS - Nippon Foundation Capacity Building and Training Programme 2025-2026. In cooperation with the Nippon Foundation, the Tribunal runs an annual capacity-building and training programme on dispute settlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (’UNCLOS’). Apply now!
Date Posted: 17 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the J-PAL Africa Internship Program 2025. J-PAL Africa invites you to apply for an internship in their policy, research and education & training teams. The internships are paid, and positions can be structured as either part- or full-time. The internship location is either in-person (in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Accra, or Nairobi) or remote, depending on the nationality of the intern and the needs of the team.
Date Posted: 17 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the Current World Archaeology (CWA) Photo Competition 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 17 Jan, 2025
Are you a women-led enterprise building sustainable solutions in health or food security? Apply for the Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award 2025 now!
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the Reuters Institute Journalist Fellowship Programme 2025-2026. The Journalist Fellowship Programme at the Reuters Institute is one of the world's leading schemes for practising, mid-career journalists to take some time out from their day jobs to explore journalism in depth. Click here to find out if you are qualified for this fellowship and apply for it.
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2025. Jointly organized by the UNU and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is designed to provide promising, highly qualified young researchers with the opportunity to conduct advanced research in sustainability under host researchers at domestic universities and research institutions across Japan in cooperation with UNU-IAS.
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Nominations are open for the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the World Food Prize 2026. The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing the accomplishments of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world. Apply now!
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Applications are ongoing for the IWA MEWE Early Career Researcher Award 2025. This Award recognizes accomplishments of early-career professionals in the field of MEWE, who are within 5 years after PhD/highest degree at the time of nomination, and who are active not only in the academic environment but also in the industry or (non-)governmental organizations, among other relevant sectors.
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Applications are ongoing for the IWA MEWE Mid-Career Award 2025. This Award recognises sustained accomplishments of a mid-career professional in the field of MEWE, who is within 15 years after PhD/highest degree at the time of nomination, and who are active not only in the academic environment but also in the industry or (non-)governmental organisations, among other relevant sectors.
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the International Water Association (IWA) MEWE Ardern-Lockett Award 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Grants 2025. ETH for Development (ETH4D) provides grants for mentoring doctoral candidates from low- and lower-middle-income countries. Apply now!
Date Posted: 16 Jan, 2025
Applications for the 2025 Aspire Leaders Program are OPEN! Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 15 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the University Of Laval 2025 Excellence Scholarship for International Students. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 15 Jan, 2025
The American Psychological Foundation (APF)‘s Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship 2025 is now accepting applications. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 15 Jan, 2025
Applications are ongoing for the Rotary Foundation Global Grants 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 15 Jan, 2025
1. Why should I study in South Africa?
South Africa is home to some of the top universities in Africa, offering world-class education across various disciplines. The country has a vibrant cultural life, breathtaking landscapes, and opportunities for students to immerse themselves in a multicultural society.
2. What are the top universities in South Africa?
Some of the most prominent universities in South Africa include:
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
3. What are the admission requirements to study in South Africa?
Admission requirements vary depending on the university and program. Generally, students need:
A high school diploma or equivalent for undergraduate programs.
Proof of English proficiency through tests like IELTS or TOEFL (for nonnative speakers).
For postgraduate programs, a relevant bachelor's degree is required.
Some programs may have specific subject or grade requirements.
4. Are there scholarships available for international students in South Africa?
Yes, scholarships are available for both domestic and international students. Scholarships can be provided by:
The South African government through initiatives like the National Research Foundation.
Universities
International organizations and partnerships such as the Commonwealth Scholarships
5. Do I need a student visa to study in South Africa?
Yes, international students need a student visa to study in South Africa. The process requires you to provide:
Proof of admission to a South African university.
A valid passport.
Proof of financial means to support yourself during your studies.
Proof of medical insurance valid in South Africa.
6. Can I work while studying in South Africa?
Yes, international students are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during university holidays, as long as they hold a valid study visa.
7. What is the process for recognizing foreign qualifications in South Africa?
If you obtained your qualifications outside of South Africa, you may need to have them recognized through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This process ensures your previous academic qualifications meet South African standards for higher education.