# Mandela Scholarship supported by FirstRand Empowerment Foundation : University of Sussex

**Source**: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/masters-scholarships/view/1904-Mandela-Scholarship-supported-by-FirstRand-Empowerment-Foundation
**Parent**: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/masters-scholarships/browse

# 

## Mandela Scholarship supported by FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (2026)

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

### 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 2026
  - 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

19 February 2026 23:59

### How to apply

Apply for the Mandela Scholarships supported by FirstRand Empowerment Foundation via the Foundation's website. Applicants will need to hold an offer of a place at Sussex in order to be considered.

[Apply here](https://bursaries.firstrand.co.za/Bursary/FirstRandMandelaScholarshipAtUniversityOfSussex)

### 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](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/alumni/support/mandela-scholarship/mandela-scholars).

> 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.

The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) was established in 2005 as a vehicle through which the founder (FirstRand Limited), in partnership with its empowerment partners (Kagiso Charitable Trust, The WDB Trust, WDB Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, the Mineworkers Investment Trust and MIC Financial Holdings (Pty) Ltd) could aim to address inequality in society.

FREF’s objective is to reduce poverty and inequality by undertaking and/or supporting public benefit activities that result in B-BBEE. The majority of trustees are black persons as defined in the Financial Sector Charter.

### Contact us

[scholarships@sussex.ac.uk](mailto:scholarships@sussex.ac.uk)  

### You might also be interested in

- [FirstRand Empowerment Foundation](https://www.firstrand.co.za/foundations/firstrand-empowerment-foundation/)
- [History of the Mandela Scholarship](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/alumni/support/sussex-scholarships/mandela-scholarship/history-mandela-scholarship)
- [Meet some Mandela Scholars](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/alumni/support/sussex-scholarships/mandela-scholarship/mandela-scholars)

### Timetable

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must apply to the University before 19 February 2026 and receive an offer to study at the University of Sussex by no later than 7 April 2026.

FirstRand will conduct the interview process, and both FirstRand and the University of Sussex will conduct the selection process. 

#### Availability

**At level(s):**\
PG (taught)

**Application deadline:**\
19 February 2026 23:59 (GMT) \
*the deadline has now expired*

#### Countries

The award is available to people from the following country:

South Africa