Key Facts
- Status
- Check Provider for Dates
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizenship
- Excellent, verifiable academic record
- Admission secured, or in progress, to a qualifying international postgraduate programme
- Some award categories require the applicant to be from a previously disadvantaged background
About Firstrand International Postgraduate Scholarships
The FirstRand International Postgraduate Scholarships are a group of competitive, fully-funded scholarships administered by the FirstRand Foundation for South African citizens to pursue a Master's degree or PhD at a leading international university. The umbrella programme covers up to 12 awards a year, including FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarships and FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Scholarships, some linked to specific partner institutions such as the University of Oxford, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, IE University, and the University of Sussex.
Funding Details
Scholarships are reported at up to R1.5 million for a Master's degree and up to R2 million for a PhD, intended to cover the substantial cost of international tuition and related study expenses.
Where You Can Study
International postgraduate study only, at recognised universities outside South Africa. Some awards are tied to specific partner universities and fields (for example African studies, environmental sustainability, water education, or enterprise development), while others are open to any discipline at the applicant's chosen institution.
About FirstRand Foundation
FirstRand Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle associated with FirstRand Limited, the JSE-listed financial services group whose operating franchises include First National Bank (FNB), Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) and WesB…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
Open to South African citizens with an outstanding academic record who intend to pursue, or have already secured, admission to a postgraduate Master's or doctoral programme at a recognised international university. Several of the constituent scholarships specifically prioritise previously disadvantaged South African applicants.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
Last verified:
Frequently Asked Questions
When do applications for the 2027 academic year open?
As of this page's last verification (28 August 2026), the FirstRand Foundation had not published specific opening or closing dates for the next scholarship round on its official portal. Historically, FirstRand bursary and scholarship windows are announced later in the preceding year, so applicants should monitor the official portal directly rather than rely on a fixed date here.
Is this the same as a FirstRand undergraduate bursary?
No. This scholarship funds postgraduate study (Master's or PhD) at an international university and is a separate programme from FirstRand's South African undergraduate bursary offerings.
Do I need to already have a university offer to apply?
Requirements vary by the specific award within this umbrella programme; some require an existing offer of admission, particularly those tied to a named partner university. Check the current year's specific award listing on the official portal.
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