The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award for young African leaders aged 19 to 29. It covers tuition, accommodation, meals, study materials, medical aid, a personal allowance, and economy-class travel for a one-year Honours degree or a two-year Master's degree at any recognised South African university. The scholarship is open to all fields of study, including music performance, musicology, composition, and arts administration. Unlike most scholarships, the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship combines financial support with a compulsory Leadership Development Programme that runs alongside the degree. The programme includes week-long in-person workshops, mentorship, and a community of scholars from across the African continent.
Application Details
Application Process
Applications are submitted through the Mandela Rhodes Foundation's online portal. The deadline for the Class of 2028 cohort (studies beginning in 2028) is April 14, 2026. The application requires several documents and two personal essays.
Required Materials
- ID or passport copy
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- CV
- Two personal essays
- Reference letters
- Evidence of leadership experience
- A clear admission plan for the chosen Honours or Master's degree at a South African university
Eligibility
- Be a citizen of an African country (South Africans included)
- Be aged 19 to 29 in the year of applying
- Hold an undergraduate degree with excellent academic results (above 70% or upper second-class Honours) by January 1 of the year studies begin
- Be eligible for postgraduate study at a recognised South African institution
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to contributing to Africa's development
- Admire Nelson Mandela's ability to bridge divides and bring people together
- Be prepared to reflect deeply on personal leadership and undergo a process of growth
- Be able to study at a postgraduate level in English
- Cannot hold another scholarship concurrently
Financial Coverage
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition and registration fees as set by the institution (paid directly to the university)
- Study materials allowance as set by the MRF
- Accommodation allowance (you arrange and pay for your own living arrangements)
- Meal allowances as set by the MRF
- Medical aid allowance as set by the MRF
- Personal allowance as set by the MRF
- Research and conferencing grants available on request
- Economy-class flights for international scholars from their home country to their South African university at the start and end of studies
What Is Not Covered
- Application fees for university admission
- SAQA accreditation costs for existing degrees (may be required for admission)
- Visa application fees
- Any debts owed prior to becoming a Mandela Rhodes Scholar
Key Benefits
- Full financial coverage: Tuition, accommodation, meals, study materials, medical aid, and personal allowance are all included
- Any field of study: Music students can pursue Honours or Master's degrees in music performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, or arts administration at any recognised South African university
- Any South African university: Choose from institutions including the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Pretoria, and others
- Leadership Development Programme: A structured programme of week-long workshops, mentorship, and peer learning that runs alongside the degree
- Continental network: Join a community of scholars from across Africa with lifelong professional connections
- Travel coverage: International scholars receive economy-class flights to and from South Africa
- Research grants: Additional funding available for research and conference attendance
Potential Drawbacks
- South Africa only: The scholarship funds study exclusively at South African universities. If you want to study in Europe, the UK, or the US, this scholarship does not apply.
- Age restriction: Only applicants aged 19 to 29 in the year of application are eligible. There is no flexibility on this requirement.
- Compulsory leadership programme: The Leadership Development Programme is mandatory. You must attend week-long in-person workshops, which take time away from your studies. If you are not interested in leadership development, this requirement may feel burdensome.
- Academic threshold: You need marks above 70% or upper second-class Honours in your undergraduate degree. This is a strict cutoff.
- No concurrent scholarships: You cannot hold another scholarship alongside the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship. If you receive additional funding, you must notify the MRF directly.
- Self-arranged accommodation: The MRF provides an accommodation allowance but does not arrange housing. You are responsible for finding and paying for your own living arrangements.
- Allowances paid twice yearly: All allowances are paid in two installments per year, conditional on providing proof of registration and progress reports. This affects cash flow planning.
- English proficiency required: All coursework and written work must be in English. Some universities require formal English test results, which you must arrange and pay for yourself.
- No coverage of pre-existing debts: Any tuition or fees owed before becoming a scholar are your sole responsibility.
Real-World Example
A 24-year-old music student from Nigeria has completed a Bachelor of Music with first-class honours (78% average) at the University of Lagos. She wants to pursue a Master's in Ethnomusicology at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She applies for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship by the April 14, 2026 deadline.
Her application includes her passport copy, academic transcripts showing her 78% average, a CV listing her experience as a choir director and community music teacher, two personal essays (one on her leadership journey, one on her vision for music education in Africa), two reference letters from her professors, and evidence of her leadership role in organizing a regional music festival. She also includes her admission plan for UCT's Master's in Ethnomusicology program.
If selected, the MRF pays her tuition and registration fees directly to UCT (approximately 60,000 to 80,000 ZAR per year for an international student). She receives accommodation and meal allowances paid in two installments, a study materials allowance, medical aid coverage, and a personal allowance. She also receives economy-class flights from Lagos to Cape Town at the start and end of her two-year Master's program.
She must attend the Leadership Development Programme workshops (typically four to five week-long sessions over two years) in addition to her coursework. She cannot hold another scholarship during this period. After completing her degree, she is expected to return to Nigeria and contribute to music education and cultural development in her home country.
Eligibility Criteria (plain terms)
You qualify for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship if you meet all of these requirements:
- You are a citizen of an African country (South Africans are eligible)
- You are aged 19 to 29 in the year you apply
- You hold an undergraduate degree with excellent academic results (above 70% or upper second-class Honours) by January 1 of the year your studies begin
- You are eligible for postgraduate study (Honours or Master's) at a recognised South African university
- You demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to contributing to Africa's development
- You admire Nelson Mandela's ability to bridge divides and bring people together
- You are prepared to reflect on personal leadership and undergo a process of growth
- You can study at a postgraduate level in English
- You cannot hold another scholarship concurrently
There are no restrictions on field of study. Music students can pursue degrees in music performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, or arts administration.
Deadlines
- Class of 2028 cohort (studies beginning in 2028): April 14, 2026
- Applications are submitted through the Mandela Rhodes Foundation online portal
- The application requires several documents and two personal essays, so plan to start at least 2 to 3 months before the deadline
- Late applications are not accepted under any circumstances
Past Recipients
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation publishes the names and bios of all scholars on its website. The Class of 2026 includes 45 scholars from 16 African countries, including Benin for the first time. The University of Cape Town received 25 scholars in the 2026 cohort, its largest group in the foundation's history.
Notable past scholars include:
- Frank Uche Mike Ogwang (Uganda, University of Cape Town, 2024) - writes about leadership development and personal growth through the MRF programme
- Isaac Muapoh (Liberia, University of Johannesburg, 2021) - Liberia's first-ever Mandela Rhodes Scholar, focused on addressing challenges facing African leaders
- Audrey Mabiza (2019) - documented her scholar experience in a Q&A on the MRF website
- Christy Chitengu - young lawyer fighting for the rights of stateless people
- Luqman Abdukadir Jama - Somali scholar working on poverty-to-peace pathways
- Isatu Bokum - scholar advocating for girls' rights
The foundation does not specifically track or publish a separate list of music scholars, as the scholarship is open to all fields. Music students are part of each cohort but are not singled out in published materials.
Videos
Similar Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarship - Fully funded study in the UK for Commonwealth citizens
- Chevening Scholarship - UK government scholarship for global leaders
- DAAD Study Scholarships - Postgraduate music study in Germany
- Rhodes Scholarship - Postgraduate study at the University of Oxford
Related Opportunities
- Commonwealth Scholarship for study in the UK (for Commonwealth citizens)
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program for study in the United States
- DAAD Study Scholarships for postgraduate music study in Germany
- Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
- Music Schools Directory to find South African universities and music programs
- Visit the Mandela Rhodes Foundation website for official details and the application portal
