UCT International & Refugee Scholarship

The University of Cape Town (UCT), Africa’s top-ranked university, offers dedicated scholarships for international students and refugees pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies. UCT is known for its breathtaking campus on the slopes of Devil’s Peak, world-class research in HIV/AIDS, climate science, African studies, and social justice. The university is committed to diversity and actively supports students from across the African continent and beyond who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

• Must be an international student or recognized refugee in South Africa
• Must have been admitted to an undergraduate or postgraduate program at UCT
• Must demonstrate excellent academic ability (typically 70%+ average or equivalent)
• Must demonstrate financial need and inability to fund studies independently
• Must commit to maintaining academic standards throughout the program

• Full tuition and registration fees
• University accommodation or housing allowance
• Monthly living allowance for food and personal expenses
• Textbook and stationery allowance
• Health services access
• Academic mentoring and tutoring support
• Career guidance and internship opportunities

UCT admission application, Completed scholarship application form, Academic transcripts from all prior institutions, Proof of citizenship or refugee status documentation, Financial needs assessment form with supporting documents, Motivation letter outlining academic goals and how you will contribute to your community, Two reference letters (academic), CV/Resume (for postgraduate applicants), Research proposal (for PhD applicants), Valid passport or refugee identity document copy

• Be an international student (with a valid passport) or a refugee in South Africa (with valid refugee papers, regardless of country of origin) applying for or accepted into full-time first postgraduate study (Honours, Master's, or Doctoral) at UCT in any field, with at least about 55% in major subjects, not in full-time employment (over 20 hours/week), and able to fund the rest of your studies (the scholarship is supplementary, not full cost)
• First apply for full-time admission via UCT admissions, then submit the scholarship application form with certified transcripts, passport/refugee papers, two academic referee reports, a CV, and (for master's/doctoral) a one-page research abstract, to the Postgraduate Funding Office by the single annual deadline
• Awarded competitively, with preference to senior candidates; renewable on satisfactory progress