Let’s talk about Fully Funded Scholarships in South Africa for International Students! International students in South Africa and even beyond often find themselves struggling with student loans and grants. That’s why it’s important to know about scholarships available to international students.
Some Scholarships in South Africa cover the full cost of tuition, while others provide a stipend to cover living expenses. Some scholarships are also available for merit-based applications. However, finding the scholarships that are available to international students can be a challenge.

To make things easier, we have compiled a list of the top 15 fully funded scholarships in South Africa for international students.
List of Top 15 Scholarships in South Africa for International Students.
1. Unilever Future Leaders Graduate Programme
Our Future Leaders Programme will ignite the leader in you. This unique program is designed to develop Unilever’s Future Leaders (UFL) by providing challenging and purposeful opportunities that accelerate their readiness to take on business leadership roles. APPLY HERE
2. The University of Cape Town for Diploma Sports Scholarships
The University of Cape Town offers scholarships for students pursuing a sports career. These scholarships are open to international students and offer a great opportunity for those looking to get into the field. The scholarships are awarded based on merit, and several are available each year. APPLY HERE
3. Investment Banking Winter 2023 Internship (South Africa)
The Investment Banking Winter Internship program offers you the chance to discover the world of banking at Bank of America. As an intern analyst, you will have the opportunity to gain in-depth exposure to a line of business and gain invaluable insight into the organization and its culture. APPLY HERE
4. KAS-SAIIA 2023 Scholarship for African Masters Students
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is a German political foundation named after the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. KAS operates worldwide intending to promote democracy through political education and training. Since 1999 KAS has funded a scholarship program around the world. APPLY HERE
5. Government of Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) 2022 for Young Leaders
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme seeks to enhance internationalisation in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between the people of Japan and those of other nations. The Programme aims to enhance foreign language education and promote international exchange at the local level through the fostering of ties between Japanese youth and foreign youth alike. APPLY HERE
6. Wenner-Gren 2022 Wadsworth African Fellowship for African Students
The Wadsworth African Fellowships are intended to provide support for African students undertaking study leading to a Ph.D. at a South African university that can provide them with international-level training in anthropology (including biological anthropology and archaeology). APPLY HERE
7. Mastercard Foundation 2022 Scholarships at University of Cape Town (UCT)
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT provides full-cost scholarships to young Africans who are first-time undergraduate or postgraduate (honours and master’s) degree-seeking applicants.
The scholarships ensure a premium educational package that will produce graduates whose qualifications are internationally recognized and locally applicable, and whose transition into the workforce is underpinned by values of engaged citizenship and social justice. APPLY HERE
8. University of Pretoria 2023 LLM in International Trade & Investment Law in Africa (TILA)
The Master of Law (LLM) degree in International Trade and Investment Law in Africa is the first of its kind to be offered in Africa. It establishes a higher education and training program based in and focused on, Africa with full exposure to the international world of trade and investment. APPLY HERE
9. Makerere University 2022-2023 African Water Resources Mobility Network (AWaRMN) Exchange Programmes for African Academics
Applications are invited from suitably qualified staff members for exchange programmes (academic and admin) within AWaRMN, in any of the Higher Education Institutions in the partnership namely: Makerere University, Rhodes University, South Africa, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, and the University of Kinshasa, Congo. APPLY HERE
10. Investec 2023 Tech Grad Programme
Investec Sandton is looking for Tech Graduates to join the Investec Tech 2023 Grad Programme.
This program is aimed at students in their final year of studying toward a technology qualification. We consider all institutions as well as people with under two years of practical experience. This is a permanent opportunity for you to join our Out of the Ordinary environment. APPLY HERE
11. African Investigative Journalism Conference 2022 Fellowships for African Journalism Students
The African Investigative Journalism Conference (#AIJC22) is the premier annual gathering of African investigative journalists – a three-day international conference for and about investigative journalism. It involves skills training, networking, promoting, collaboration, and in-depth accounts…APPLY HERE
12. Stellenbosch University 2023 GEM Scholarships for PhD Students (South Africa)
The Graduate School of Economics and Management Sciences (GEM) of Stellenbosch University has opened applications for 2023. APPLY HERE
13. FRAME 2023 Intra-African Mobility Scholarships for African Students
The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme is set up under the Pan-African Programme (Development Cooperation Instrument) and is based on the experience of the Intra-ACP Academic Mobility scheme.
The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme supports higher education cooperation between countries in Africa. The scheme aims to promote sustainable development and ultimately contribute to poverty reduction by increasing the availability of trained and qualified high-level professional manpower in Africa. APPLY HERE
14. University of Pretoria 2023 Scholarships for Masters in Sexual & Reproductive Rights in Africa
The Masters in Sexual & Reproductive Rights in Africa is a two-year programme and is offered as a blended learning course comprising of online interaction and residential block weeks in Pretoria. Two contact sessions will be scheduled every year (four contact sessions over two years). APPLY HERE
15. African Leadership Academy 2023 Pre-University Program for Undergraduate African Students (South Africa)
In supporting the education of talented students and empowering young people to lead change across Africa, the African Leadership Academy seeks to enroll the most outstanding young leaders from across Africa and around the world. ALA is not only looking for young people who are smart and excel in the academic environment but is also looking for young people with the potential to lead and impact the world around them through their courage, initiative, and innovation. APPLY NOW
16. Canon Collins 2023 Tom Queba Scholarships for Social Change for South African Women
These scholarships are offered in memory of Tom Queba, who was a leader in the George taxi industry. His passion, commitment, and vision for improved public transport, and the future of the minibus taxi industry in George, have contributed greatly to the achievement of the GO GEORGE bus service. APPLY HERE
17. University of Pretoria South Africa 2022 MasterCard Scholarships for African Students
The University of Pretoria (UP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation (MCF) is currently offering scholarships for high-achieving African students interested in studying at postgraduate levels, commencing in January 2023.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) targets academically talented yet economically disadvantaged young people in Africa who will contribute to the transformation of the continent through their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values evidenced by their leadership. APPLY HERE
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our blog post about South African scholarships for international students. Although there are many scholarships available for international students, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best fit for you. With these tips and scholarships, it should be much easier for you to find that perfect scholarship!
Make sure to contact us anytime if you have any questions or concerns. We would love to help out! If you would like to find out more about these scholarships, you can check our website for more. Thank you for reading, we look forward to your response!