Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

Mandela Rhodes Foundation

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Details checked on 30 October 2026. Dates and amounts change every year. Always confirm on the official page.

Who can apply

Citizen of an African country; aged 19 to 29 in the year you apply; undergraduate degree with excellent results (above 70% or upper second class) by 1 Jan of the start year; able to study at postgraduate level in English; commitment to ethical leadership in Africa. Undergraduate study is not funded.

Watch: how to apply

About this opportunity

Combining the legacies of Nelson Mandela and Cecil John Rhodes, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation (based in Cape Town) offers Africa’s most prestigious postgraduate leadership scholarship. Open to citizens of all 55 African nations aged 19 to 29, it fully funds a 1-year Honours or up to a 2-year Master’s degree in any discipline at any recognized South African institution, paired with a mandatory year-long residential Leadership Development Programme centered on Reconciliation, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check that you are eligible. Citizen of an African country; aged 19 to 29 in the year you apply; undergraduate degree with excellent results (above 70% or upper second class) by 1 Jan of the start year; able to study at postgraduate level in English; commitment to ethical leadership in Africa. Undergraduate study is not funded.
2. Note the deadline. Mar – Nov (annual; applications for the class of 2027 are closed - the class of 2028 round opens on 9 Mar 2027 and closes later in the year) Confirm the exact date on the official page.
3. Prepare your documents. Official Transcripts: Official university academic transcripts showing a minimum cumulative grade average of 70% or higher (Upper Second Class / GPA 3.0+).; Letters of Recommendation: 3 detailed recommendation letters submitted directly onto the Embark application platform by referees who know both your intellect and character.; Personal Statement / Essay Prompts: 1 autobiographical personal statement (up to 750 words) tracing your personal journey and leadership awakening, plus 3 short essays reflecting on the four founding principles (Reconciliation, Education, Entrepreneurship, Leadership).; Proof of Income / Identity: Passport/National ID bio-data page and degree certificates (financial need is not a strict barrier, as the award is merit-and-leadership driven)..
4. Apply on the official page. Open the official application page and submit your application before the deadline.

How applicants are selected

Four-stage selection (Eligibility Check → Round 1 Application Review → Round 2 Video/Written Assessment in July → Round 3 Panel Interviews in October). Evaluates Academic Excellence (25%), Leadership Potential (25%), Entrepreneurial Spirit (25%), and Commitment to Reconciliation/Humanity (25%).

Profile of past winners

Young African intellectuals—from medical doctors and AI engineers to poets, human rights lawyers, and social entrepreneurs—who show deep self-awareness, vulnerability in their personal essays, and a track record of building initiatives that bridge social divides.

Free materials

Templates, checklists and guides to help you apply.

Browse all free materials →

Tips from our advisors

1. Read the eligibility line by line before you write anything. Most rejections are eligibility mismatches, not weak essays.
2. Show a clear link between your past studies, this programme and your career goal. Committees look for a story, not a list.
3. Spend most of your time on the criteria with the highest weight in the selection breakdown above.
4. Start at least 8 to 12 weeks early. Certified transcripts, translations and referee letters usually take longer than expected.
5. Ask your referees at least 4 weeks ahead and give them your CV, your draft SOP and the deadline.
6. Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline. Portals slow down on the last day.

Quick answers

Who can apply for Mandela Rhodes Scholarship?

Citizen of an African country; aged 19 to 29 in the year you apply; undergraduate degree with excellent results (above 70% or upper second class) by 1 Jan of the start year; able to study at postgraduate level in English; commitment to ethical leadership in Africa. Undergraduate study is not funded.

What does Mandela Rhodes Scholarship cover?

Tuition and registration for a one-year Honours or two-year Master's at a South African university, plus accommodation and meals, study and medical allowances, a personal allowance, economy-class travel and a leadership programme

When is the deadline for Mandela Rhodes Scholarship?

Mar – Nov (annual; applications for the class of 2027 are closed - the class of 2028 round opens on 9 Mar 2027 and closes later in the year) Dates change every year, so confirm on the official page.

Where can I study or work with Mandela Rhodes Scholarship?

Host countries: South Africa.

What documents do I need for Mandela Rhodes Scholarship?

Official Transcripts: Official university academic transcripts showing a minimum cumulative grade average of 70% or higher (Upper Second Class / GPA 3.0+).; Letters of Recommendation: 3 detailed recommendation letters submitted directly onto the Embark application platform by referees who know both your intellect and character.; Personal Statement / Essay Prompts: 1 autobiographical personal statement (up to 750 words) tracing your personal journey and leadership awakening, plus 3 short essays reflecting on the four founding principles (Reconciliation, Education, Entrepreneurship, Leadership).; Proof of Income / Identity: Passport/National ID bio-data page and degree certificates (financial need is not a strict barrier, as the award is merit-and-leadership driven)..

How are applicants selected for Mandela Rhodes Scholarship?

Four-stage selection (Eligibility Check → Round 1 Application Review → Round 2 Video/Written Assessment in July → Round 3 Panel Interviews in October). Evaluates Academic Excellence (25%), Leadership Potential (25%), Entrepreneurial Spirit (25%), and Commitment to Reconciliation/Humanity (25%).

How much work is the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship application?

High: Transcript + 3 Detailed Leadership Essays + 3 Recommendation Letters + Multi-Round Interviews