The Ruth First Scholarship 2027 is open for Master’s and Doctoral study at Rhodes University. The scholarship supports research that reflects Ruth First’s commitment to difficult social questions and to connecting scholarship with political, social and human-rights action.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: Rhodes University
Opportunity type: Postgraduate research scholarship
Who it’s for: Master’s and Doctoral applicants whose proposed research fits the scholarship’s social-justice and human-rights focus
Study level: Master’s and PhD
Fields: Politics, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Economics, Social Policy, Democracy Studies, Development Studies, Media Studies and related disciplines
Master’s value: R120,000 per year
Doctoral value: R130,000 per year
Closing date: 25 August 2026
Last verified: 23 July 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
The scholarship is intended for research in the spirit of Ruth First’s life and work. A strong application should clearly explain the difficult social question being investigated and how the proposed research links knowledge, politics, scholarship and action.
South African and Mozambican Black and women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
The complete application must be submitted as one PDF named in the format surname_RFirst_Schol.pdf.
About the sponsor
Rhodes University administers the Ruth First Scholarship in honour of the South African journalist, scholar and anti-apartheid activist Ruth First. The award supports postgraduate research with a strong social, political, developmental or human-rights dimension.
What it covers
- R120,000 per year for Master’s study
- R130,000 per year for Doctoral study
The official funding page publishes the annual scholarship values but does not itemise separate tuition, accommodation or research-cost allocations. Candidates should confirm payment and renewal arrangements with Rhodes University if shortlisted.
Eligibility
- Must be applying for Master’s or Doctoral study at Rhodes University in 2027
- Proposed research must reflect the spirit of Ruth First’s life and work
- Research should engage difficult social questions and connect scholarship with social or political action
- Relevant fields include Politics, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Economics, Social Policy, Democracy Studies, Development Studies, Media Studies or a cognate discipline
- Research should have a strong social-justice or human-rights focus
- South African and Mozambican Black and women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply
Documents to prepare
- Download and follow the current Ruth First Scholarship booklet linked from the Rhodes University funding page
- Prepare every document requested in that booklet
- Include clear information on the proposed research and its fit with the scholarship’s purpose
- Combine the complete application into one PDF
- Name the file surname_RFirst_Schol.pdf
Closing date
25 August 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting research that does not demonstrate a clear social-justice or human-rights focus
- Sending several separate attachments instead of one combined PDF
- Using the wrong filename format
- Leaving out documents required by the current scholarship booklet
- Assuming the scholarship application replaces the separate Rhodes University postgraduate admission process
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against Rhodes University’s official internal postgraduate-funding page. The page confirms the 2027 Master’s and Doctoral opportunity, eligible disciplines, scholarship values, preferred applicant groups, submission format, email address and 25 August 2026 closing date.
How to apply
- Open the Rhodes University internal postgraduate-funding page.
- Download and read the current Ruth First Scholarship booklet.
- Prepare all required application materials.
- Combine the complete application into one PDF named surname_RFirst_Schol.pdf.
- Email the PDF to s.makeba@ru.ac.za before the closing date.