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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 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
Applications are ongoing for the TWAS-NCP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2025. The fellowship is for young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in physical sciences in departments and laboratories of the National Centre for Physics (NCP) in Islamabad.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Global Mission 300 Fellowship 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the AfricaCDC Biomanufacturing Fellowship Programme 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the IREX Community Engagement Exchange Program 2026. A transformational leadership development experience, CEE is a year-long program designed to enable civil society leaders, ages 21-27, to harness the power of networks, relationships, and information for the public good.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 2025
Nominations are open for the TWAS-Apex Award 2025 in Quantum Science and Technology. The TWAS-Apex Award is one of the most prestigious honours given to scientists from the developing world. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this prestigious award, established to honor exceptional scientific contributions by researchers living and working in developing countries.
Date Posted: 24 Apr, 2025
Applications are now open for the TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowship Programme 2025. The International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) - comprising the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular and Drug Research in Karachi, Pakistan - and TWAS offer fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in chemical and biological sciences.
Date Posted: 24 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme - MENA 2025. The TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme provides postdoctoral researchers living and working in the MENA region with the opportunity to make a three-month 'Cooperation Visit' to a research institute in Germany. Such visits must be undertaken within 12 months of the award.
Date Posted: 24 Apr, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 Supporting African Science and Tertiary Education (SASTE) Grant. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 24 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the NextGen Developers Hackathon 2025. The NextGen Developers Hackathon is a bold tech challenge for undergraduates and early-stage developers ready to tackle real-world problems using the power of blockchain, Al, and decentralized innovation.
Date Posted: 24 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Loughborough Development Trust Africa Scholarship 2025. The Loughborough Development Trust Africa Scholarship will cover 100% of the course fees for your chosen postgraduate taught course for one year (replacing any departmental or Loughborough University scholarships or bursaries you may already have been awarded).
Date Posted: 24 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.