Top 5 Fully Funded Scholarships for South Africans 2027

Scholarships such as Erasmus Mundus can allow South African students to study across multiple countries and universities.

Top 5 Fully Funded Scholarships for South Africans to Target in 2027

If the cost of studying overseas has ever made you think, "There's no way I can afford that," don't close the tab yet.

Some of the world's most competitive universities and international study programmes offer scholarships that can cover major costs such as tuition, travel, accommodation and living expenses.

But there is a catch.

These scholarships are extremely competitive, and "fully funded" does not mean that everyone who applies gets everything they ask for.

It also doesn't mean every programme is open to every qualification or every age group.

So instead of giving you another enormous list of 50 scholarships with questionable information, this guide focuses on five major opportunities that South African students and graduates should know about when planning for 2027.

Important 2026 update: Scholarship deadlines are different for every programme. Some 2027 opportunities are already closed, while others are still open or have application periods later in the year. Always verify the deadline on the official scholarship website before applying.

What Does "Fully Funded" Actually Mean?

This is one of the most misunderstood phrases in scholarship searches.

A fully funded scholarship may cover some combination of:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation
• Travel
• Living expenses
• Visa-related costs
• Health or medical insurance
• Study-related allowances

But the exact package depends on the scholarship.

Don't assume that because a website calls something "fully funded", every expense you will ever have will automatically be paid.

Always read the official funding conditions.

1. Chevening Scholarship — Study in the United Kingdom

If you've spent any time researching international scholarships, you've probably come across Chevening.

Chevening is the UK Government's international scholarship programme for future leaders. South Africa has its own Chevening country programme.

The scholarship is aimed at people who want to pursue eligible master's studies in the UK and demonstrate leadership potential, professional experience and a clear vision for making an impact.

For the 2027-28 cycle, Chevening applications opened on 4 August 2026 and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Successful scholars are expected to begin their studies in the UK in September/October 2027. Check the official Chevening South Africa page.

That means this is one of the opportunities South Africans should be looking at right now, rather than waiting until 2027.

What makes Chevening attractive?

• UK master's study
• Strong international alumni network
• Leadership and professional development
• International exposure
• Government-backed scholarship programme

Who should consider it?

Chevening is particularly interesting for professionals and graduates who can demonstrate leadership, influence, networking and a convincing reason for wanting to study a particular master's programme.

This isn't simply a scholarship for someone with good marks.

Your story, leadership potential and future impact matter.

Application warning

Don't leave the essays until the final week.

A strong Chevening application requires serious preparation, and you should have your career story, leadership examples and university plans clear before you start writing.

Best for: South African graduates and professionals targeting a UK master's degree.

2. Rhodes Scholarship — Study at Oxford

Now we're getting into one of the most prestigious scholarship opportunities in the world.

The Rhodes Scholarship provides fully funded postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.

And yes, South Africans can apply through the Southern Africa constituency.

The Southern Africa constituency includes South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Eswatini. The Rhodes Trust specifically lists South African citizens and qualifying permanent residents within the constituency's eligibility framework.

The scholarship is aimed at outstanding young people who demonstrate academic achievement, character, leadership and a commitment to service.

Applications for the 2027 Southern Africa intake opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 3 August 2026.

So if you're reading this after that deadline, don't panic.

Use the current cycle to understand the requirements and prepare for the next application window rather than trying to submit a late application.

What does Rhodes cover?

The Rhodes Scholarship is described by the Rhodes Trust as a fully funded postgraduate award.

It supports successful scholars studying full-time at Oxford.

Who should consider it?

This is not a casual scholarship application.

You need a strong academic record, but academic performance is only part of the picture.

The Rhodes Trust also looks for qualities such as:

• Character
• Leadership
• Commitment to service
• Achievement beyond academics
• A clear sense of purpose

If your CV is strong but you cannot explain what problem you want to solve or how you've already contributed to your community, you may struggle to stand out.

Best for: exceptional South African students and graduates targeting postgraduate study at Oxford.

3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — Study Across Europe

Here's one that more South Africans should know about.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master's programmes delivered by partnerships of universities.

Depending on the programme, you may study in more than one country during your degree.

Students from around the world are eligible to apply, and the programme offers full scholarships to the best-ranked applicants.

The official Erasmus+ information states that these scholarships can contribute to costs including travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses, with the scholarship covering the full duration of the master's programme for successful recipients.

Programmes typically last between one and two academic years.

Why this scholarship is different

You're not necessarily applying to one traditional university programme.

You're applying to a specific Erasmus Mundus master's programme delivered by a consortium of institutions.

That means you need to research the actual programme carefully.

Who can apply?

Students from around the world are welcome to apply, which means South Africans can compete for these scholarships.

However, eligibility requirements vary between individual master's programmes.

What makes Erasmus Mundus attractive?

• International master's study
• Multiple universities and countries
• Full scholarships available
• Travel support
• Visa support
• Living support
• International academic network

Best for: South Africans who want an international master's experience and are willing to apply directly to competitive programmes across Europe and partner countries.

4. MEXT Scholarship — Study in Japan

Want something completely different?

Consider the Japanese Government's MEXT Scholarship.

MEXT stands for Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The scholarship supports international students who want to study in Japan through different categories, including research students, undergraduate students, specialised training college students and teacher training students.

The Embassy of Japan in South Africa confirms that South African applicants can apply through the South African embassy process for relevant MEXT categories.

However, there's an important 2026 reality check.

The MEXT 2027 application deadline for South Africa was 22 May 2026, and the embassy currently lists the 2027 application as closed.

So this is not an opportunity you can submit today.

It is an opportunity you should put on your future scholarship calendar.

Why consider MEXT?

• Study in Japan
• Government-funded international scholarship
• Multiple study categories
• Opportunity for postgraduate research
• International academic experience

The application process can be demanding, so don't wait until the next deadline to start researching it.

Best for: South African students and graduates interested in studying in Japan.

5. Commonwealth Scholarships — Study in the UK

South Africa is part of the Commonwealth, and South African citizens are included among the countries eligible for certain Commonwealth Scholarship Commission programmes.

The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship is designed for candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries who want to pursue master's-level study in the UK.

South Africa is explicitly listed among the eligible countries.

The programme is aimed at talented candidates who have the potential to contribute to development in their home countries.

Who should consider it?

This is particularly worth investigating if you have:

• A strong academic background
• A clear development-focused career goal
• A master's programme that fits the scholarship's priorities
• A strong reason for returning your knowledge and skills to your community or country

However, don't assume that every Commonwealth programme is running every year.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission operates several different programmes, and their availability, eligibility rules and application windows can change.

For that reason, always check the specific award's official page before preparing an application.

Best for: South African graduates looking for UK postgraduate opportunities connected to development and public impact.

Quick Comparison

Scholarship	Destination	Level	South Africans?	2026 Status
Chevening	UK	Master's	Yes	2027-28 applications open
Rhodes	Oxford, UK	Postgraduate	Yes	2027 Southern Africa deadline passed
Erasmus Mundus	Europe & partner countries	Master's	Yes	Varies by programme
MEXT	Japan	Multiple levels	Yes	2027 South Africa deadline passed
Commonwealth	UK	Postgraduate / programme-specific	Yes for eligible programmes	Check individual programme

Which One Should You Apply For?

Don't make the mistake of applying for every scholarship simply because it says "fully funded."

Choose the programmes that actually match your situation.

If You Want to Study in the UK

Start by investigating Chevening, Rhodes and Commonwealth opportunities.

If You Want to Study in Europe

Look closely at Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters.

If Japan Is Your Goal

Put MEXT on your scholarship calendar and begin preparing well before the next application window.

If You're Still an Undergraduate

Don't assume that postgraduate scholarships are your only option.

South Africa has a wide range of bursaries and funding opportunities. We've also put together a guide to top bursaries for South African students.

The Biggest Mistake Scholarship Applicants Make

Most people start too late.

They discover a scholarship three weeks before the deadline.

Then they realise they need:

• Academic transcripts
• References
• A motivation statement
• A research proposal
• Proof of qualifications
• English-language documentation
• University applications
• Personal essays

Suddenly, three weeks doesn't seem like enough time.

The smarter approach is to create a scholarship preparation folder months before applications open.

Build Your Scholarship Folder Now

Create a digital folder containing:

• Your latest CV
• Academic transcripts
• Certificates
• ID or passport documentation
• A list of achievements
• Volunteer experience
• Leadership experience
• Work experience
• Research interests
• Career goals
• Potential referees

Then create a master document explaining your story.

Don't copy and paste the same motivation letter into every application.

Instead, build a strong base and adapt it to each scholarship.

Your Marks Matter — But They Aren't Everything

A strong academic record can get you noticed.

But many major scholarships are looking for more than marks.

They want to know:

• What have you achieved?
• What problems do you care about?
• Have you demonstrated leadership?
• Have you served your community?
• What will you do with the opportunity?
• Why does this specific programme make sense for your future?

This is why a student with excellent marks but no clear story can sometimes lose to an applicant with a slightly less spectacular academic record but a compelling record of leadership, service and impact.

Don't Pay Someone to "Guarantee" a Scholarship

This deserves its own warning.

No legitimate scholarship consultant can guarantee that you will win a competitive international scholarship.

Be especially careful with anyone who tells you:

• "Pay me, and I'll guarantee selection."
• "We have an inside connection."
• "You don't need to meet the requirements."
• "Send your passport,t and we'll handle everything."
• "The scholarship is guaranteed if you pay a registration fee."

Always start with the official scholarship provider.

Don't send money to a random WhatsApp number because someone posted a scholarship flyer in a group.

What South African Applicants Should Do Next

If you're serious about studying overseas with scholarship funding, don't wait for another viral Facebook post telling you that applications are open.

Start building your application profile now.

Improve your academic record where you still can.

Build leadership experience.

Get involved in meaningful projects.

Develop a clear career direction.

Build relationships with lecturers, supervisors, rs and professional mentors who can eventually provide strong references.

And most importantly, learn to tell your story.

Final Verdict

Fully funded international scholarships are real.

But they are not easy money.

They are competitive opportunities designed to identify people who can demonstrate academic ability, leadership, potential and purpose.

For South Africans planning ahead for 2027, Chevening, Rhodes, Erasmus Mundus, MEXT and Commonwealth programmes are five names worth putting on your scholarship radar.

Some application windows will already have closed by the time you read this. Others may still be open. That is exactly why you should stop thinking of scholarship applications as something you do only when you see a deadline.

Treat scholarship hunting like a long-term project.

Prepare your documents.

Build your story.

Research the requirements.

Track the deadlines.

And always apply through the official scholarship website.

Your biggest advantage isn't knowing about a scholarship five days before the deadline.

It's being ready five months before everyone else starts applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fully funded scholarship for South Africans?

There isn't one scholarship that is best for everyone. Chevening is excellent for eligible master's applicants targeting the UK, Rhodes is a prestigious postgraduate opportunity at Oxford, Erasmus Mundus offers international master's programmes, and MEXT provides opportunities in Japan.

Can South Africans apply for Chevening?

Yes. South Africa has a dedicated Chevening scholarship programme.

Can South Africans apply for the Rhodes Scholarship?

Yes. South Africans are included in the Rhodes Scholarships' Southern Africa constituency, subject to the programme's eligibility requirements.

Is Erasmus Mundus available to South Africans?

Yes. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are open to students from around the world, although each master's programme has its own eligibility requirements.

Is MEXT available to South Africans?

Yes. The Embassy of Japan in South Africa administers MEXT scholarship applications for eligible South African applicants.

Are fully funded scholarships really free?

They can cover substantial costs, but the exact benefits vary by programme. Read the official funding conditions carefully rather than assuming every possible expense will be covered.

When should I start applying for scholarships?

Ideally, months before the deadline. Gather your academic records, references, CV, certificates and personal statement material well in advance.