FirstRand International Postgraduate Scholarships 2023 – 2024
What is Bursary
A Bursary is A grant, especially one awarded to someone to enable them to study at university or college.
How does it work?
Bursaries vary in amounts and professions and are given to students in order to further their studies. In return for funding your studies, the company may require you to repay them by signing a work contract with them. Another type of bursary is a donor bursary (a bursary awarded to a deserving candidate in a specific field of study or in recognition for his/her work in a specific field of study).
ABOUT THE COMPANY – FIRSTRAND
FirstRand Limited was formed in 1998 as a South African financial services provider, whose products include lending, investments, asset management, insurance, and transactional services. Licensed by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), and headquartered in Johannesburg, FirstRand currently employs over 40 000 staff members.
The FirstRand group was established by a merger between Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Limited (Anglo American plc) and RMB Holdings.
ABOUT THE FIRSTRAND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES – FIELDS COVERED
FirstRand is inviting students to apply for their international postgraduate scholarship programs, for the 2022 academic year.
FirstRand is offering 5 different scholarship awards:
1) FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship: is for postgraduate studies in ANY field of study, at ANY international university.
2) FirstRand Foundation Scholarship: is for previously disadvantaged students, for postgraduate studies in ANY field of study, at ANY international university.
3) FirstRand Oxford African Studies scholarship at the University of Oxford: is for a postgraduate MSc in African Studies, at the University of Oxford.
4) FirstRand FNB Fund Scholarship for international Masters study in Education at the University of Oxford: is for a postgraduate master’s degree in education, at the University of Oxford.
5) FirstRand FNB Fund Postgraduate Education Scholarship: is for a postgraduate qualification in education, at ANY international university.
MORE ABOUT THE FIRSTRAND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES – COVERAGE VALUE
Scholarships will be awarded to the following values:
- FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship: R925 000.
- FirstRand Foundation Scholarship: R925 000.
- FirstRand Oxford African Studies scholarship at the University of Oxford: full funding for 1 year of study and housing at Wadham College.
- FirstRand FNB Fund Scholarship for international Masters study in Education at the University of Oxford: full funding for 1 year of study and housing at Wadham College.
- FirstRand FNB Fund Postgraduate Education Scholarship: R925 000.
We are committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the FirstRand Scholarships.
MORE ABOUT THE FIRSTRAND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES – SELECTION
The selection process will include the following steps:
- All applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their application (via email).
- All applications will be assessed by a minimum of 3 preliminary evaluators from FirstRand, FNB, RMB, as well as previous scholarship recipients.
- Approximately 40 candidates are shortlisted and will be invited to attend an interview – in Cape Town, Sandton, or online via Microsoft Teams.
- 10 further shortlisted candidates will be selected for the FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship, FirstRand Foundation Scholarship and FirstRand Oxford African Studies scholarship – final interviews for these scholarships will take place on 10 May 2022 in Sandton.
- 4 shortlisted candidates will be selected for the 2 Education scholarships and will be interviewed on 17 May 2022 in Sandton.
- Final announcements will be made no later than 31 May 2022.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRSTRAND SCHOLARSHIPS
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
1) FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must intend on studying towards a postgraduate qualification, in ANY field of study
- You must intend on studying outside of South Africa, at an international university
- You must NOT currently or previously studied overseas
- You must be willing to return to South Africa for a minimum of 5 years after completing your qualification
- You must have an excellent academic record
- Must demonstrate the following qualities: leadership skills; strong character; community involvement; and potential to be a destiny changer your chosen field
- Preference will be given to students under 35 years old
2) FirstRand Foundation Scholarship:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be from a previously disadvantaged background
- You must intend on studying towards a postgraduate qualification, in ANY field of study
- You must intend on studying outside of South Africa, at an international university
- You must NOT currently or previously studied overseas
- You must be willing to return to South Africa for a minimum of 5 years after completing your qualification
- You must demonstrate the following qualities: leadership skills; strong character; community involvement; and potential to be a destiny changer in your chosen field
- Preference will be given to students under 35 years old
3) FirstRand Oxford African Studies scholarship at the University of Oxford:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must have been accepted to study towards an MSc in African Studies at the University of Oxford (see more here: http://www.africanstudies.ox.ac.uk/msc-african-studies)
- You must have an excellent academic record
- You must demonstrate the following qualities: leadership skills; community involvement; and potential to be a destiny changer in your chosen field
- You must contribute to South Africa after completing studies and returning to the country
4) FirstRand FNB Fund Scholarship for international Masters study in Education at the University of Oxford:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must have been accepted to study towards a full-time Masters’s degree in Education at the University of Oxford (see more here: https://www.education.ox.ac.uk/programmes/msc-education/)
- You must have an excellent academic record
- You must demonstrate the following qualities: leadership skills; community involvement; and potential to be a destiny changer in your chosen field
- You must contribute to South Africa after completing studies and returning to the country
5) FirstRand FNB Fund Postgraduate Education Scholarship:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must intend on studying towards a postgraduate qualification in Education
- You must intend on studying outside of South Africa, at an international university
- You must NOT currently or previously studied overseas
- You must be willing to return to South Africa for a minimum of 5 years after completing your qualification
- You must demonstrate the following qualities: leadership skills; strong character; community involvement; and potential to be a destiny changer in your chosen field
- Preference will be given to students under 35 years old
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE FIRSTRAND SCHOLARSHIP
Applications must be submitted online at FirstRand Scholarship Application 2022
Candidates will need to Register an Account before they can Login and submit their application.
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- Copy of your ID document
- Photo of face
- Copy of your Matric results
- Minimum of 2 references (people whom you have worked under in an academic setting or in another area of interest). Confidential references can be emailed from the referee to: firstrandpgscholarship@firstrand.co.za and clearly marked with your name (or can accompany your application form).
- A personal statement explaining why you deserve to be awarded this scholarship (maximum 1 000 words)
CLOSING DATE FOR THE FIRSTRAND SCHOLARSHIP
3 March 2022.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER
For any queries related to these scholarship programmes, please contact FirstRand directly:
Contact Person: Beth van Heerden
Email: firstrandpgscholarship@firstrand.co.za
Students who will be studying at the University of Oxford can email their queries to: admissions@area.ox.ac.uk / msc.education@education.ox.ac.uk
Students should also read the following frequently asked questions and answers before submitting any queries.
Things To Note Before Applying For A Bursary
SOUTH AFRICAN BURSARIES OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND