Mandela Scholarship (2025)

The Mandela Scholarship was established to protest against the injustice of apartheid and raise the profile of Nelson Mandela’s struggle for freedom. Following his release from prison in 1990, Mandela wrote to the Scholarship Fund stating: "the power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation". Applicants must evidence how they embrace the values of Mandela and evidence their commitment to using the degree towards the educational, social, cultural and economic development of South Africa.

What you get

Successful applicants will have their full masters tuition fee waived and receive £16,440 cash maintenance, paid across the year in monthly installments.

Type of award

Full fee waiver and maintenance award

Funding type

Sussex funded

Eligibility

  • Who is eligible

    To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

    • have applied and received an offer for a full time, eligible Masters degree at Sussex starting in September 2025
    • have been assessed as 'Overseas' for fees
    • be a South African national
    • hold a good undergraduate degree from an African university, the equivalent of a UK Upper Second class degree

    Preference may be given to candidates with work experience, who see a Masters at Sussex as a catalyst for future career development. Preference will also be given to applicants that do not already hold the equivalent of a UK Masters degree.

  • Who isn’t eligible

    You are not eligible for this scholarship if you:

    • are applying for a Masters at a university that is not at the University of Sussex
    • are studying an online course
    • Are studying one of the Excluded courses listed below
  • Excluded courses

    You are not eligible for this scholarship if you are going to study any of the following:

    • Certificates and Diplomas (including PGCE)
    • Courses at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)
    • Early Years Education (with Early Years Teacher status)
    • Degrees in Social work (if receiving an NHS bursary)
    • School direct teaching courses
    • Masters funded by the research councils (e.g. ESRC 1+3 funding)

Number of scholarships available

Two

Deadline

1 May 2025 23:59

How to apply

Applications open March 2025

Scholarship success stories

The Mandela Scholarship has been truly transformative for many people. Since it was founded, more than 80 students have gained a qualification and 96% of scholars have returned home to become leaders in their field: scientists, environmentalists, development professionals and government ministers. You can read about the success of previous Mandela Scholars here.

My time at Sussex has shaped me into a well-rounded international legal scholar and prepared me for making my mark on the world. None of this would have been possible without the support of the Mandela Scholarship” Lewis Sibanda
LLM 2020

Funding partners

The Mandela Scholarship was established by the Students' Union in 1973. Funding for the scholarship comes from the University of Sussex, its staff, alumni and students, and the wider public. 

Contact us

scholarships@sussex.ac.uk  

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Timetable

Successful applicants will be notified after the scholarship panel meet and all eligible applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of June 2025.

Terms and conditions

We are aware AI has been used by some applicants to produce statements for their scholarship applications. Please be advised these applications are often unsuccessful. Any personal statement submitted needs to be written by you, to demonstrate your suitability for the scholarship.

Availability

At level(s):
PG (taught)

Application deadline:
1 May 2025 23:59 (GMT)

Countries

The award is available to people from the following country: