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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 ongoing for the Good Soil Forum Seed Capital Pitch Competition 2025. This is your chance to showcase your business, gain national exposure, and compete live for transformative funding in front of investors and a national audience.
Date Posted: 29 Apr, 2025
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)Master and Ph.D. Scholarships applications are open to international students. Candidates willing to pursue their studies in Thailand can apply.
Date Posted: 29 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the WFSA Paediatric Anaesthesia Fellowships 2025. The University of Nairobi together with the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists is offering up to three 12-month Paediatric Anaesthesia Fellowship positions starting in September/October 2025.
Date Posted: 29 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the UNESCO/Poland Co-Sponsored Fellowships in Engineering 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 29 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the AREF-MRC Towards Leadership Programme 2025-2026. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 29 Apr, 2025
The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering 2026 is now accepting nominations. The QEPrize welcomes public nominations that honor engineering improvement from all sectors of the profession and a diverse range of nominators worldwide.
Date Posted: 28 Apr, 2025
Nominations are welcomed for the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement 2026. Click here to learn more about this award and nomimate an individual for it.
Date Posted: 28 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Cave Canem Prize 2026. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 28 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) timbuktoo Creatives Lab 2025. The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) timbuktoo Creatives Lab is here to power innovation in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CC|S). Implemented by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), this pioneering accelerator programme is designed to help 15 high-potential creative businesses thrive in 2025.
Date Posted: 28 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the CODESRIA African Fellowships for Research on Indigenous and Alternative Knowledge (AFRIAK) 2025. The programme is offered with the support of the Mastercard Foundation as part of the Foundation's commitment to promoting the education and skills of young people in Africa, and in recognition of the contribution of the late Ghanaian intellectual Sulley Gariba to the valorisation of African knowledge in research and evaluation.
Date Posted: 28 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2025. Named in honour of Singapore's founding Prime Minister - who can be said to have developed the country's defining business plan in pitching Singapore into the global spotlight - it was one of the first international business plan competition platforms for the world's best and brightest next-gen innovators to solve global challenges.
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Young Scientists Awards 2025. These awards, established in 1989, aim to support young researchers, especially those from developing countries, conducting interdisciplinary projects that align with UNESCO's objectives, particularly within biosphere reserves.
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the New Commons Challenge 2025. The New Commons Challenge is an initiative led by Microsoft and the Open Data Policy Lab, in partnership with DirectRelief, the Harvard Institutional Data Initiative, and UNESCO (international observer).
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Eisenhower Global Fellowship Program 2026. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Kinship Nature Cultural Fellowship Program 2025. The Nature Cultural Fellowship (NCF) is a Kinship program developed in collaboration with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network. They invite you to join a three-month immersive learning journey (May-July 2025) with 55 other participants from 30+ countries around the world. From August to November 2025, 40 selected Fellows will receive financial support to implement community-based projects that blend art, ancestral knowledge, intergenerational exchange, and bold imagination.
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications for the Pulitzer Center Photo Contest 2025 are now open. The Pulitzer Center is thrilled to support AFRISOS African School of Storytelling and the Greenmanjaro Foundation in launching Climate Through Young Eyes, a photography competition designed to showcase the power of youth-led environmental action across Africa.
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists 2025. The Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists was established in 2013. It is a global Prize aimed at rewarding scientists at an early stage of their careers.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (ORD) 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) Young Professionals Program. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 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.