MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2025 Bursary – Closing Date: Ongoing

Hey there, future African leaders! 👋 Are you dreaming of pursuing your postgraduate studies in another African country? Do you have a burning desire to make a real impact on our continent? Well, get ready, because we’ve got some super exciting news just for you!

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is offering an incredible Postgraduate Scholarship Programme for 2025. This isn’t just about getting a degree; it’s about nurturing the next generation of Pan-African leaders who will drive cohesion and cooperation across our continent. Think of it as your golden ticket to a future where you’re part of a network of like-minded individuals, all working to build a more integrated and prosperous Africa. And the best part? Applications are ongoing, so you can apply as soon as you get accepted into one of their preferred institutions!

Who Can Apply?

MINDS is looking for bright, driven individuals who are ready to make a difference. If you meet these criteria, you could be their next scholar:

You must be a national of an African country and currently residing in any African country.
You need to have been formally accepted by one of MINDS’ preferred institutions (we’ll list them below!) to pursue postgraduate studies *outside* of your country of citizenship or residency, but still within Africa.
Your academic record needs to shine! You should have obtained at least 70% in each subject/course in your last two completed years of study.
Show them your leadership potential! MINDS is all about developing leaders, so be ready to demonstrate your abilities through your application.
Make sure your online application is complete with all the required supporting documents.

What Does It Cover?

This bursary is designed to support you comprehensively as you embark on your academic journey. Depending on whether you receive a partial or full scholarship, the MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship Programme can cover some or all of the following expenses:

Tuition Fees: Your academic expenses are taken care of.
Accommodation and Meals: No need to worry about where you’ll live or what you’ll eat.
Travel: One return ticket for the duration of your studies.
Stipend: A fixed allowance to help with your daily needs.

This bursary supports full-time Honours or Master’s degrees, typically lasting one or two years, at one of MINDS’ preferred institutions. They don’t restrict your course of study, as long as it’s at one of these awesome universities:

List of Preferred Institutions:

To be eligible, you must be accepted into one of these institutions:

EAST AFRICA

African Leadership University, Rwanda
Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda, Rwanda
Makerere University, Uganda
Strathmore University, Kenya
Universidade de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde
Université Libre de Kigali, Rwanda

SOUTHERN AFRICA

African Leadership University, Mauritius
University of Cape Town, South Africa
University of Mauritius, Mauritius
University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
Universidade Agostinho Neto, Angola

NORTH AFRICA

Al Akhawayn University, Morocco
Université Cadi Ayyad, Morocco
Université Mohammed V, Morocco
Cairo University, Egypt
Ain Sharms University, Egypt
Alexandria University, Egypt
Assiut University, Egypt

WEST AFRICA

University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana
Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos Business School), Nigeria
University of Development Studies, Ghana
Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Ivory Coast
Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal
University of Ghana, Ghana

How to Apply?

Ready to jump in? Since applications are ongoing, it means MINDS processes them as they come in. So, the moment you get that official acceptance letter from a preferred university, head over and submit your application!

Make sure you have the following documents ready to upload. Remember, all documents must be in PDF format and each attachment should not exceed 2MB:

A clear copy of the data/bio page of your passport.
Certified academic transcripts or results slips for your last two years of study.
A copy of your official acceptance letter from the university. This letter must:

Be addressed to you.
Clearly state the degree you’ve been accepted to study.
Indicate the academic year when your degree will commence.
Specify the duration of your course (e.g., one year).

A copy of a valid study permit or visa, OR proof that you’ve applied for one (this is optional for the initial application).
A detailed CV/Resume, no longer than four single-sided pages.
Two reference letters (each no more than 3 pages) that speak to your integrity, leadership potential, and commitment to African development.