Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025 is a prestigious, fully funded opportunity for young African leaders to pursue postgraduate studies in South Africa while developing their leadership skills. The program combines financial support with a leadership development program, empowering scholars to drive positive change in Africa.

This article provides detailed information about the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025, including eligibility requirements, benefits, and a step-by-step guide on how to apply.

Contents [hide]

1 Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025 Summary
2 Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025 Details
3 Eligibility Requirements for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025
- 3.1 Looking for shorter-term scholarships? Explore our latest fellowships
4 Benefits of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025
5 Required Documents
6 How to Apply for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)
- 6.1 Confused About Where and How to Start Securing Scholarships Abroad? Here is a Simple Guide for you:
7 Selection Process
8 Deadline
9 Receive the Latest Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:

Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025 Summary

Host Country: South Africa
Study Abroad: Study in Africa
Host Institution: Any recognized South African university
Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships or Honours degree
Eligible Countries: African countries
Reward: Full Scholarship | Stipends and more
Application Deadline: April 21, 2025

Scholarship Categories to Explore on ScholarWaka— Here are some key scholarship opportunities you should check out on ScholarWaka:

Study Abroad: Study in USA | Study in Canada | Study in UK | Study in Europe | Study in Asia | Study in Australia | Study in Africa
Scholarship Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Competitions | High School Scholarships | Internships Scholarships | Training | Fellowships

Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025 Details

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious leadership and academic program designed to empower young African leaders. It integrates academic excellence with leadership development, equipping scholars with the skills and mindset to drive positive change in Africa.

The scholarship’s leadership program is based on the principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. It focuses on inner transformation as the foundation for impactful leadership. Scholars participate in a series of intensive, week-long residential workshops throughout their academic journey, fostering personal growth, networking, and leadership capacity building.

In addition to leadership training, the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, covering full tuition and registration fees, accommodation, meals, and study materials for postgraduate studies at any recognized South African university. It also includes a personal allowance and returns economy-class airfare, ensuring scholars can fully focus on their academic and leadership development.

Eligibility Requirements for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025

Tip: See if you qualify for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship.

To qualify for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025, applicants must:

Be between 19 and 29 years old at the time of application.
Be a citizen of any African country.
Have completed an undergraduate degree with strong academic performance (minimum 70% or equivalent GPA).
Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to making a positive impact in Africa.
Be prepared to study full-time at a South African university for an Honours or Master’s degree.

Important:

Applicants from outside South Africa may need to complete SAQA verification to start their studies at a South African university. Please see the relevant FAQs and the information under “Step 3: Get your documents ready” below.
Attendance at the residential workshops and regional pods is mandatory, and a condition of the scholarship. Participating in the Mentoring Programme is optional.

Looking for shorter-term scholarships? Explore our latest fellowships

Benefits of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship provides full funding for selected scholars, covering:

Tuition costs for any one-year Honours degree or two-year Masters degree in any field at a recognized South African institution of higher education.
Tuition and registration fees as set by your university or institution
A study materials allowance as set by the MRF
Accommodation and meal allowances as set by the MRF
A medical aid allowance as set by the MRF
A personal allowance as set by the MRF
Research and conferencing grants can be made available on request
Access to a mentorship program, and a community of young leaders from across the African continent.
Economy-class flights for international scholars from their home countries to their institutions at the start and end of their studies

Take note

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation does not pay for your application fees for university, or for the accreditation of your existing degrees through SAQA, which may be an entry requirement to your course. We also do not provide financial support for visa applications.

Required Documents

To apply for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025, candidates must prepare and submit the following documents:

Recommendation Letters: Three letters of recommendation must be submitted in English through the official application platform. Candidates should contact potential recommenders early to allow them enough time to write and upload their letters, as applications cannot be submitted without them.
Academic Documents: Applicants must provide degree certificates, academic transcripts, and official identification documents (passport/ID scans). All documents must be in English.
Essays: Two short essays are required—one on the applicant’s personal journey and another responding to a specific question related to the scholarship’s principles.
Proposed Course of Study: While proof of university application is not required, applicants must indicate their intended course of study. It is strongly recommended to apply early to multiple universities.
Qualification Verification: South African universities use the National Qualification Framework (NQF) to assess academic qualifications. International applicants may need SAQA accreditation, which can take 4-8 weeks and may delay university acceptance and visa processing.
Work Experience (if required): Some South African Master’s programs require work or clinical experience for admission. Applicants should check their eligibility and apply for alternative options if necessary.

How to Apply for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these steps to apply for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025:

Check program requirements. Also, read the full terms and conditions of the MRS
Click on the “Apply now” button below to visit the application page
Create an Account
Complete the application form – Provide personal details, academic history, and leadership experience.
Upload required documents
Submit before the deadline, April 21, 2025.

Confused About Where and How to Start Securing Scholarships Abroad? Here is a Simple Guide for you:

Selection Process

The selection process for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025 follows a structured timeline:

March 17, 2025: Applications open. Candidates can begin adding recommenders, uploading documents, and working on their essays.
April 21, 2025: Application deadline (23:59 GMT+2). Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
June 2025: Applicants will be notified by the end of June whether they have progressed to Round Two.
July 2025: Candidates will be informed by the end of July if they have advanced to Round Three.
August 2025: Notifications will be sent out by the end of August regarding Final Round interviews or unsuccessful applications.
October 2025: The final round of interviews will take place in South Africa. Candidates outside South Africa will be flown in for an in-person interview with the selection committee. By the end of October, successful applicants will be announced as Mandela Rhodes Scholars.
October – December 2025: Selected scholars must secure university acceptance and study visas for travel to South Africa in January.