The FirstRand Oxford Blavatnik School of Government Scholarship for a Master of Public Policy

The scholarship enables one South African student each year to complete the University of Oxford’s full-time, 12-month Master of Public Policy. It is delivered through a partnership involving the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation, the Blavatnik School of Government and Wadham College.

The award supports study in Oxford and includes residence at Wadham College. The most recently published scholarship cycle closed on 19 February 2026, and no exact date for the next opening has been announced.

Benefits & funding

Full payment of MPP course fees.
A set amount toward living expenses for the 12-month programme.
Residence at Wadham College.
One scholarship is available each year.

Eligibility

Applicants must be South African citizens and ordinarily resident in South Africa.
Applicants must apply for the full-time Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford and meet its academic entry requirements, including a first-class or strong upper second-class bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Applicants who are currently studying, or have previously studied, overseas for a degree are not eligible; overseas short courses do not trigger this exclusion.
Recipients must return to South Africa for at least five years after completing their studies.
The MPP has no age restriction and does not require prior professional experience.

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Eligible nationalities
South Africa
Residence required
South Africa
Education required
Bachelor

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Application process

1
Submit a separate application for Oxford’s Master of Public Policy by the course deadline.
2
Complete the online FirstRand scholarship application with all attachments and reference letters by the scholarship deadline.
3
Send the Oxford acceptance letter to FirstRand as soon as it is received and by the published acceptance-letter deadline.
4
If selected, attend the preliminary and final interviews scheduled by FirstRand.

Program timeline

FirstRand scholarship applications opened.
20 October 2025
Oxford MPP application deadline.
2 December 2025
FirstRand scholarship application deadline.
19 February 2026
Initial evaluations and long-list interviews.
March–April 2026
Latest date to submit the Oxford acceptance letter to FirstRand.
7 April 2026
Final interviews in Sandton.
May 2026
Final announcement.
Before the end of June 2026
MPP programme started.
September 2026