This blog post provides concrete information on the scholarships to study abroad for South African students and how to also apply for them. Getting any of these scholarships can be your ticket to international education.
We at Scholarships to Study Abroad bring prospective students the latest scholarship information they need to study in any country of their choice in the world.
Before we go into the subject matter, let’s talk about scholarships.
A Scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further their education either in high school, college, or any other educational institution for all degree programs.
Typically, scholarships are mostly awarded based on merit, financial need, athletic skills, or community service or involvement. You can get a scholarship based on one or more of the criteria stated above.
Sources of scholarships include Federal grants, state grants and scholarships, private scholarships, scholarships from colleges and universities, and individuals.
Scholarships can either be fully funded or partially funded. A fully funded scholarship as the name implies involves a larger amount of money that can cover a student’s tuition fee for the duration of their studies. Furthermore, fully-funded scholarships can cover a student’s flight ticket, living expenses, and study materials.
On the other hand, partially funded scholarships are limited to a particular duration. It can either cover one or two years of the student’s education, or study materials, or living expenses.
You can get a scholarship to study either in your country or abroad. Getting a scholarship abroad is an easy way of studying outside your country. It is also a great opportunity to see the world, experience different styles of education, access to world-class education and earn globally recognized degrees, learn a new language, find new interests, and the list goes on and on.
You understand by now that there are different kinds of scholarships from different sources and some of them are directed at people from any part of the world including South Africans. To give proper direction and guidelines, we have focused on the scholarships to study abroad for South African students.
South African students who have always dreamed of studying abroad but cannot afford it and do not want to collect loans, this article is presenting you with an opportunity. Through this means, whether you want to pursue a bachelor, master’s, or Ph.D. degree program abroad, this post will help you seek the right scholarship to sponsor your education.
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Can South African Students Study Abroad on Scholarship?
There are several bursaries made available for South African students yearly to study abroad by different institutions all over the world. The study programs may include Undergraduate, Master’s, Doctoral Degrees. These programs are available for any field of choice preferred by the individual.
Basic International Scholarship Requirements to Study Abroad for South African Students
The requirements include:
- The applicant must have been accepted into an accredited university abroad to pursue a degree program.
- Students must possess a study permit or student visa.
- Applicants must fulfill the eligibility criteria for the scholarship to be applied for.
- Applicants should create outstanding essays, CV, or resumes.
- Ensure that the documents required for the scholarship application are ready before you apply.
- Students should carefully read the requirements for the application before they proceed.
These are the basic requirements and it differs by the source providing the scholarship.
Scholarships to Study Abroad for South African Students
Below, we have given a breakdown of scholarships in Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctorate Degree programs.
Undergraduate Scholarships to Study Abroad for South African Students
- Lund University Global Scholarship Programme
- Emile Boutmy Scholarship for Non-EU Students at Sciences Po
- Transform Together Scholarships Sheffield Hallam
- Karen Mckellin International Leader Of Tomorrow Award at University of British Columbia
1. Lund University Global Scholarship Programme
Lund University is presently located in Sweden. Their global scholarship program is a selective, merit-based scholarship program that recognizes outstanding academic students from outside the European Union which includes South African. Lund university’s global scholarship program is one of the best scholarships to study abroad for South African Students.
The scholarship awards approximately a 1.8million dollars scholarship grants each year to enable students to start their studies irrespective of the hardship caused by the covid-19 pandemic. Scholarship grants may cover partial or full tuition fees.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you have made a complete application for bachelor’s or master’s level studies at the university in a regular application round for a minimum of one semester of study.
To be able to apply for this application, you must first of all have applied to the program you wish to study at Lund University through an online application website. After payment of the application fee, you can now apply for the scholarship.
2. Emile Boutmy Scholarship for Non-EU Students at Sciences Po
Sciences Po University is located in France. The University created the Emile Boutmy scholarships after the founder of Sciences Po to attract the best international students from outside the European Union including South Africa. The candidates include students who are first-time applicants and who have been admitted to an undergraduate program offered at the University.
Being considered as one of the best scholarships to study abroad for South African students, the scholarship awards approximately a grant of a range of 3,000 to 12,300 euros for 3 years of undergraduate study. In exceptional cases, a scholarship of 19,000 euros may be granted to cover the three years of college.
To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must be a first-time applicant from a non-European Union state and must have been admitted into the undergraduate program of the university.
For application proper, the candidate must indicate that they are applying for the Emile-Boutmy scholarship in the financial information section of the Sciences Po application, and provide proof of income and documents explaining their family situation.
3. Transform Together Scholarships Sheffield Hallam
Transform Together Scholarships is mainly for international students starting a full-time taught course. This scholarship is one of the best scholarships to study abroad for South African students. The reason is that the scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance.
To be eligible, the student must apply for any course of choice in his or her desired field of study at Sheffield Hallam University, after this, he or she will be given a student identifier number.
The applicant can now apply for the scholarship online. He or she will be notified within one month of the application whether it was successful or not.
4. Karen Mckellin International Leader Of Tomorrow Award at University of British Columbia
Karen Mckellin International Leader Of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia recognizes international students who demonstrate exceptional academic prowess, leadership skills, and involvement in student affairs and community service.
As one of the best scholarships to study abroad for South African students, to be eligible, you must be an international student, must be entering the scholarship from a recognized school, must be applying for your first undergraduate degree, must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, and must meet the UBC admission requirements.
The student can further apply for the scholarship by submitting the application form to the University, also the student must have been nominated by the school. This nomination will count towards the total nominations permitted from a student’s school.
Master’s Scholarship To Study Abroad for South African Students
- University of Geneva Excellence Master’s Fellowships
- Uppsala University Global Scholarships
- KTH Scholarships
- University of Twente Scholarships (UTS)
1. University of Geneva Excellence Master’s Fellowships
The University of Geneva with the aid of external partners has established an Excellence Fellowship program open to outstanding students. This scholarship is one of the best scholarships to study abroad for South African students who wish to pursue a Master of Science Degree in any of the fields covered by the Faculty.
The scholarship is worth 10,000 to 15,000 CHF per year, for a duration of one year, and extended for the regular duration of your chosen master’s program.
To be eligible for this Scholarship, each student must fulfill the enrollment procedure which includes: A scan of your National ID card, a Curriculum Vitae, the Transcript of exams passed during the Bachelor Education, with all grades, a Motivation Letter, and a Letter of reference.
The application is made online. The deadline is provided in the link provided below.
2. Uppsala University Global Scholarships
Uppsala University global scholarship offers one of the best scholarships to study abroad for South African students to pursue their Master’s Degree program. This scholarship is specially designated for students who are applying for their master’s degree program at the university.
The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees for studies at Uppsala University. It does not cover living expenses.
To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you must be academically exceptional, you must have applied for the Master’s Degree Program at the University before the deadline, and you must meet the entry requirements for the program you applied for.
To be considered for application, you need to submit an online application form during the application period.
3. KTH Scholarships
The KTH Scholarship is one of the best scholarships to study abroad for South African students who wish to pursue their Master’s Degree program. Every year, a limited number of KTH Scholarships are awarded to students who have applied for a Master’s program at KTH as a priority.
The scholarship covers the tuition fee at KTH for the first two years provided that the study during the first year was satisfactory. The funds do not include living expenses.
To be eligible to apply, the student must have paid the tuition fees and have applied for a master’s degree program at KTH as a priority. The assessment of the applicants is made based on the applicants’ grades, ranking of the university, applicant’s motivation or work experience, and their contribution to sustainable development goals with a master’s degree in KTH.
4. University of Twente Scholarships (UTS)
University of Twente Scholarships are scholarships for outstanding students and among the best scholarships to study abroad for South African students applying for a Master’s Degree Program at the University.
The scholarship grants the students funds worth 3000 to 22,000 euros for one year. In the case of a two-year duration, the students are granted an additional amount equal to that of the first year when they meet the requirements for the UTS.
To qualify, candidates must have been admitted into one of the qualifying UT Master’s programs, must be a student member, must have graduated from a UT graduate program, and must comply with the conditions for obtaining an entry visa in the Netherlands(if applicable).
Once you have met the listed criteria above, you can apply for the scholarship with a student number peculiar to only you.
Ph.D. Scholarships to Study Abroad for South African Students
- Eiffel Scholarship in France for International Students
- Clarendon Fund Scholarships at University of Oxford
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships for International Students
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships(Vanier CGS)
1. Eiffel Scholarship in France for International Students
The Eiffel Scholarship in France for International Students was established by the French Ministry for Europe and foreign affairs to attract outstanding institutes that have top foreign brilliant students and also the best scholarships to study abroad for South African Students to enroll in their Ph.D. program.
To be eligible, you must be Non-french, must be 25years of age or less at the time of application, must be proficient in your language skill, must not have been awarded a doctoral scholarship in the past.
To apply, you must meet the requirements stated above to be considered for the scholarship. Your application must be submitted by the French Higher Education Institutions to be eligible or accepted.
2. Clarendon Fund Scholarships at University of Oxford
The Clarendon Fund is a major best scholarships to study abroad for South African Students to enroll in their Ph.D. program. The scholarship scheme offers over 140 new scholarships every year. The awards are based on brilliant academic prowess and potential across all fields of study at the University of Oxford.
The funds for the scholarship are worth approximately 15,000 euros including living expenses. Part-time Ph.D. scholars will receive at least 2,500 euros as a study support grant.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must apply for a new Ph.D. course before the admission deadline. These scholarships are applicable in all areas of study.
When a candidate applies for a full-time or part-time Ph.D. course at the university before the application deadline, he or she will automatically be considered for a Clarendon Fund Scholarship.
3. Gates Cambridge Scholarships for International Students
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships for International Students is one of the prestigious and best scholarships to study abroad for South African Students in the world. Established in October 2000 by a donation of 210 million dollars from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge.
Each year, the foundation grants a full-cost scholarship to the best applicants all over the world to pursue a full-time Ph.D. program in any field of choice chosen by the applicant. Approximately two-thirds of these awards are awarded to Ph.D. Students.
The eligibility criteria involve Outstanding intellectual ability, leadership skills, being a citizen of any country outside the UK, a One-year post-graduate course, and an application to pursue a full-time residential course of study at the University of Cambridge.
To apply, applicants will submit their applications for admission and funding through the University’s Graduate Application Portal.
4. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships(Vanier CGS)
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships(Vanier CGS) was created to attract and keep exceptional doctorate students and to establish Canada as a global center of excellence. It is considered one of the best scholarships to study abroad for South African Students in the world.
The scholarship is worth 50,000 dollars per year for a duration of three years during the doctoral studies. Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institute.
For eligibility, candidates must be foreign citizens, must be in the natural sciences, engineering, or health research field of study.
The application is prepared by the students and submitted to the nominating institution by their internal deadline using the Research application system. it is necessary to visit the official website to access the application form.
The scholarships listed above are considered the best scholarships to study abroad for South African Students in the world. These apply to scholars that are either studying for their Undergraduate, Masters and Ph.D. degree programs.