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FirstRand Foundation Scholarships

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FirstRand Foundation Scholarships provides scholarships for international studies of South Africans towards their Masters or PhD in the field of their choice.

The FirstRand Foundation scholarship is available to previously disadvantaged South African citizens for postgraduate studies outside South Africa, in any discipline, at an international university of their choice. The successful candidates will have excelled academically in their chosen field and will have been able to demontrate: leadership qualities, strength of character, community involvement and potential to be a destiny changer in his or her chosen field.

The FirstRand Foundation's mandate is to empower communities to be active participants in the broader South African economy by enabling financial inclusion, building resilient communities, investing in lifelong learning and facilitating enabling environments.

Scholarship value

The value of the FirstRand Foundation scholarship is R 1,5 million for a Master programme and R 2 million for a PhD programme.

Master's programmes
Applied Mathematics

As an applied mathematician, you occupy a key position in the scientific world. Through mathematical models, you grasp the essence of a problem and see links between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Applied Physics

Apply yourself to one of the oldest fields of science: physics. Gain fundamental insights into your own research field while sharpening your research skills.

Biomedical Engineering

Contribute to better healthcare by designing and developing medical innovations for improved diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention and a better quality of life.

Business Administration

In today’s evolving world it makes no sense to do business as usual. This Master’s turns you into an innovative, entrepreneurial business leader who prepares businesses for the challenges of tomorrow.

Business Information Technology

Become an expert in IT-based business innovation, able to devise new services and radically improve the way businesses work with the use of IT.

Cartography (joint degree)

Cartography is an Erasmus Mundus Master of four European universities. It focuses on a broad education in cartography and geoinformatics. The Cartography Master programme is awarding a joint degree.

Chemical Science & Engineering

This Master’s will help you to develop novel chemical processes, materials and molecules and contribute to innovations that benefit our society in areas such as health, water, food and sustainability.

Civil Engineering & Management

If you are eager to focus on both the technical and non-technical aspects of civil engineering projects and systems, then the Master’s in Civil Engineering & Management is the programme for you.

Communication Science

Become an expert in how people and organisations interact with and through the latest innovations, in the context of major societal challenges, such as polarisation, sustainability and security.

Computer Science

Computer Science is omnipresent in modern society. Latest hardware and software developments are crucial in domains such as social media, security, health, energy, ICT systems, finance and telecom.

Construction Management & Engineering

This Master’s helps you to become an expert in managing large-scale, complex construction projects in an increasingly digitised industry, using an innovative, holistic approach.

Educational Science & Technology

Are you fascinated by learning, but not necessarily dreaming of becoming a teacher? Engage in educational breakthroughs in schools and/or organisations as a researcher, designer or consultant.

Electrical Engineering

This Master's challenges you to develop new methods and technologies for high-tech electronics-based systems in nanotechnology, robotics, electronics, telecommunication or biomedical systems.

Embedded Systems

This Master’s focuses on the design of embedded systems: the hardware and software that control a device, process or system, e.g. smartphones, pacemakers, chip sets or navigation systems.

Environmental & Energy Management

The one-year, English-taught Master's in Environmental & Energy Management will equip you to lead, manage and govern socio-technological change processes related to energy, water and the environment.

European Studies

Managing Europe is a complex challenge. The Master’s in European Studies gives you the expertise to operate in this fascinating environment where various levels of government come together.

Geo-information Science and Earth Observation

Are you interested in a career in GIS/spatial data science and becoming a geospatial professional?

Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management

A joint programme from four European universities. Obtain a master's degree in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation alongside a degree from one of the other universities!

Geographical Information Management and Applications (joint degree)

This Master’s aims to educate students and professionals to become all-round managers and/or researchers in the field of geo-information.

Geographical Information Management and Applications – Parttime

This Master’s programme aims to educate students and professionals to become all-round managers and/or researchers in the field of geo-information.

Health Sciences

This Master’s focuses on healthcare policy and organisation, with specific attention to the role of technology in healthcare.

Industrial Design Engineering

Combine design and engineering in creating innovative products that enrich people’s lives. During this two-year Master’s, you learn to optimise both products and the development processes involved.

Industrial Engineering & Management

Become a creative, multidisciplinary manager with both technological know-how and engineering and management skills and optimise processes and solve problems in complex, globally active organisations.

Interaction Technology

Delve into the field of human-computer interaction and design and develop interactive technologies that are meaningful to people and society.

Mechanical Engineering

Become an expert mechanical engineer that focuses on the futureproof design, analysis and maintenance of machinery, structures, products and production processes.

Nanotechnology

Tackle big, societal issues at the smallest level: become an expert in the upcoming field of nanotechnology and invent, design, and develop innovative solutions on the extremely small nanoscale.

Philosophy of Science, Technology & Society

Philosophy of Science, Technology & Society is the premier Master's programme for learning how to critically analyse and assess the impact of scientific and technological developments on society.

Psychology

To understand human behaviour means to understand the world. This Master’s will deepen your understanding of human behaviour in order to design effective solutions to societal problems.

Public Administration

Learn to tackle the grand challenges our complex society faces from a political-administrative point of view and develop your own profile within a domain of your choice.

Robotics

Learn to develop robotic solutions to benefit industries and societal domains. You will cover all disciplines as mechatronics and AI, while addressing ethical, legal, societal, and economic aspects.

Science Education

Share your knowledge of science subjects in school! This teacher education programme will equip you to become a teacher in secondary (Dutch) education.

Spatial Engineering

Natural disasters, poverty, food shortage, epidemics, climate change: learn to tackle society’s greatest and most complex challenges with the use of spatial data.

Sustainable Energy Technology

Do you feel called upon to make a valuable contribution to the sustainable energy transition? Become an expert in the development, implementation and integration of sustainable energy technologies.

Technical Medicine

This Master’s will equip you to become a technical doctor who can use medical technologies to their full potential.

Water Technology

Solving global water problems requires a multidisciplinary approach of knowledge and skills. That is why the Wetsus Insitute and three Dutch universities offer a joint degree in Water Technology.

Countries eligible for this scholarship
  • South Africa

Application requirements

Candidates are required to:

How to apply