FirstRand lists multiple international postgraduate scholarships on its official bursaries portal. These scholarships are aimed at supporting exceptional South Africans for postgraduate study abroad, with several awards tied to specific partner universities and programmes.
At a glance
- Who it’s for: South African citizens applying for international postgraduate study (specific eligibility varies per offering).
- Applications close (FirstRand portal): 19 February 2026
- Important programme deadlines: Some partner programmes have earlier deadlines (e.g., certain Oxford programmes list a deadline of 27 January 2026).
About the FirstRand scholarships
The FirstRand bursaries portal groups several scholarship offerings under its international postgraduate scholarship programme. Each offering has its own criteria and may require you to apply to the partner university as well as submit the required information through the FirstRand portal.
The portal also notes that acceptance letters from international universities may be issued after the FirstRand application closing date; where applicable, applicants are asked to submit acceptance letters as soon as they receive them (and by stated deadlines on the portal/FAQ).
What it covers
Coverage differs by offering. Some scholarship pages state funding values (for example, certain scholarships list values of up to R1.5 million for a Master’s and up to R2 million for a PhD), while other offerings describe full funding for a set number of students per year. Always confirm the exact covered costs (tuition, living costs, travel, etc.) and any conditions (e.g., return-to-SA requirements) on the official offering page you apply for.
Closing date
Main FirstRand portal closing date: 19 February 2026.
- Oxford-linked offerings: some partner programmes list an earlier deadline (e.g., 27 January 2026 at 12:00 UK time for certain Oxford applications, where stated).
- Sussex-linked offering: the official Sussex page notes you must apply by 19 February 2026 and receive an offer by no later than 7 April 2026.
Always check the offering page and the partner university programme deadlines—universities can close earlier than the FirstRand portal.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the partner-university deadline (some programmes close earlier than the FirstRand portal deadline).
- Submitting incomplete applications (missing sections, missing attachments, or missing references where required).
- Uploading unreadable scans or uncertified copies when certified documents are required.
- Using unofficial third-party links instead of the official FirstRand bursaries portal pages.
- Waiting until the last day—online systems and document uploads can take time.
How to apply
- Open the official FirstRand programme information page and review the overall requirements.
- Create an account / log in on the FirstRand bursaries portal (if prompted).
- Choose the scholarship offering that matches your intended programme and follow the application steps on that offering page.
- Apply to the partner university/programme as required (some offerings require a separate university application).
- Submit all required documents and references before the relevant deadlines.
Apply to individual offerings
Use the official links below (each button opens the specific offering page on the FirstRand bursaries portal):
Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Scholarship (International Postgraduate)
Oxford African Studies Scholarship (University of Oxford)
FNB Fund Scholarship (Oxford Smith School)
IHE Delft Water Education Scholarship
IE Madrid Science and Technology Scholarship
Mandela Scholarship (University of Sussex)
FirsRand Portal