Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) Postgraduate Bursary 2025 – Closing Date: Applications Ongoing

Hey future African leaders! Are you dreaming of pursuing your postgraduate studies in another African country, soaking up new cultures, and developing your leadership skills? Then you NEED to hear about the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) Postgraduate Bursary! This isn’t just about funding your studies; it’s about building a network of like-minded leaders who are passionate about shaping Africa’s future.

The MINDS Bursary Programme is designed to help talented African students like you pursue Honours or Master’s degrees in a different African country than your own. The goal? To broaden your horizons, foster a pan-African mindset, and equip you with the skills to drive greater cohesion and cooperation across our incredible continent. This bursary isn’t tied to a specific field of study, so you can focus on what truly sparks your passion, as long as it’s at one of MINDS’ preferred institutions!

Who Can Apply?

Alright, let’s get down to who can snag this amazing opportunity! To be considered for the MINDS Bursary, you’ll need to tick these boxes:

You must be a citizen of an African country and currently living in an African country.
You need to have already been formally accepted by one or more of MINDS’ preferred universities located *outside* of your home country for postgraduate studies (Honours or Master’s).
Got good grades? You’ll need at least 70% in each subject/course for your last two completed years of study.
You should be able to show off your leadership abilities or potential – the application form will guide you on this!
Make sure your online application is complete with all the required documents.

What Does It Cover?

This is the exciting part! The MINDS Bursary can offer partial or full coverage for your postgraduate studies. Depending on the scholarship awarded, it may help you with:

Tuition fees – say goodbye to those daunting costs!
Accommodation and meals – sorted!
One return flight ticket for the duration of your studies – exploring made easy!
A fixed stipend – for your living expenses.

Remember, you need to be accepted into a full-time, one or two-year Honours or Master’s degree program at one of their approved institutions. Here’s a list of MINDS’ preferred universities across Africa:

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 Cost
Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal
University of Ghana, Ghana

How to Apply?

Ready to make this happen? The MINDS Bursary operates on an ongoing application basis, meaning they process applications as they come in for the upcoming academic year. So, the moment you get that official acceptance letter from a MINDS preferred university, get your application in!

To apply, you’ll need to submit your application online. Make sure you have the following documents scanned and saved as PDF files (each attachment shouldn’t be more than 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.
Your official university acceptance letter. This letter must clearly state: the degree you’ve been accepted for, the academic year your degree will start, and the duration of your course.
A copy of your valid study permit or visa, OR proof that you’ve applied for one (this is optional at the time of initial application but required before receiving funding).
A detailed CV/Resume, no longer than four single-sided pages.
Two reference letters (each no more than 3 pages) that highlight your integrity, leadership potential/competency, and your commitment to African development.

Once you’ve got all your documents ready, head over to the official MINDS website to submit your application:

Visit the Official Webpage of the MINDS Bursary Programme Here!

If this sounds like the perfect next step for your academic and leadership journey, don’t hesitate! Apply for the MINDS Postgraduate Bursary today and take a huge leap towards funding your future and making a real impact across Africa. And while you’re here, make sure to explore more amazing bursary opportunities on Bursaries Room!