The FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship supports postgraduate study at an international university of the recipient’s choice. FirstRand awards two scholarships each cycle for full-time master’s or PhD study outside South Africa, in any discipline.
Applicants must be South African citizens undertaking their first overseas degree. Awardees must return to South Africa for at least five years after completing their studies.
Benefits & funding
- Two FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar scholarships are available in the published cycle.
- Each master’s award is worth up to R1.5 million.
- Each PhD award is worth up to R2 million.
- The scholarship can support study in any discipline at an international university chosen by the recipient.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be South African citizens.
- The scholarship supports full-time master’s or PhD study outside South Africa; the applicant must hold the prior degree required for the chosen course.
- Applicants currently studying, or who previously studied, overseas for a degree are ineligible; overseas short courses remain acceptable when the completed degree was from a South African university.
- Applicants must apply directly to their chosen international university by the scholarship submission date.
- Selection considers academic excellence, leadership, strength of character, community involvement and potential to make a substantial contribution in the chosen field.
- Preference is given to applicants under 35, but this is not a hard age limit.
- Successful recipients must return to South Africa for at least five years after their studies.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
South Africa
Education required
Bachelor · Master
Appears to have an age limit “under 35”
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Application process
- 1Apply directly to the chosen international university before submitting the scholarship application.
- 2Register on the FirstRand bursary portal and complete the online application with all attachments and at least two reference letters by the deadline.
- 3If the university offer is pending, send the acceptance letter to FirstRand as soon as it arrives and no later than 7 April 2026.
- 4If selected, attend the long-list interview and remain available for the final interview in Sandton in May 2026.
Program timeline
Scholarship application deadline.
19 February 2026
Initial evaluations.
March 2026
Long-list interviews in person or by Microsoft Teams.
March–April 2026
Latest date for a pending university acceptance letter.
7 April 2026
Final interviews in Sandton.
May 2026
Final announcement.
By the end of June 2026