Scholarships in South Africa

What a scholarship is, and how it differs from a bursary

A scholarship is funding for study that you win on merit or potential, such as strong marks, leadership or talent in a field. A bursary is more often tied to a field of study, a skills need or a funder's hiring plans. In practice the two overlap, and some awards use both names. What matters is the conditions, so read each listing carefully.

Types of scholarships you will find

• Academic and leadership awards for school leavers and undergraduates with strong results and community involvement.
• Postgraduate and research scholarships for honours, master's and doctoral study. Our postgraduate funding guide covers these in detail.
• Study abroad scholarships for degrees at universities in other countries. See our guide to international scholarships.
• Field-specific awards from professional bodies, trusts and companies.

What selection panels look for

Panels usually weigh several things together. Strong marks are important, but they are rarely enough on their own. Panels also look at your motivation, your leadership and community involvement, and how clearly you explain your plans. Therefore, a focused motivation letter and good references can set you apart from applicants with similar results.

How to prepare a strong application

• Start early. Many scholarships ask for references, essays or research proposals that take weeks to prepare.
• Tailor your motivation to each scholarship instead of reusing one letter.
• Ask referees well in advance and give them your CV and the scholarship details.
• Keep certified copies of your ID and academic records ready.
• For international scholarships, check the language test, passport and early deadline requirements.

Timing

International and postgraduate scholarships often close many months before the academic year starts, so a scholarship for next year may close earlier this year. Use the closing date filter to see what is still open, and note that closed listings stay on the site so you can plan for the next round.

Frequently asked questions