FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship for International Postgraduate Study
FirstRand Foundation (administered in-house by the FirstRand postgraduate scholarship office; coordinator Giselle Ras)
The FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship funds exceptional young South Africans to pursue a Master's or PhD in any field at an international university of their choice. The flagship "any-field" award offers up to R1.5 million for a Master's and up to R2 million for a PhD, with personal interest and mentorship from Laurie Dippenaar himself. It is open to South African citizens (preference for those under 35) who commit to returning to and working in South Africa for at least five years after graduating.
- Amount
- Up to R1.5 million for a Master's degree and up to R2 million for a PhD
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Renewable
- No
Eligible Fields of Study
FirstRand Foundation (administered in-house by the FirstRand postgraduate scholarship office; coordinator Giselle Ras) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ Must be a South African citizen
- ✓ Preference is given to candidates under the age of 35
- ✓ Excellent academic record, demonstrated leadership skills, strong character and community involvement
- ✓ Must NOT currently be, or have previously been, studying overseas for degree purposes
- ✓ Must have applied to an international university of choice by the time the scholarship application is submitted, and submit the acceptance letter as soon as it is received (by 7 April in the 2026 round)
- ✓ Minimum of two references (at least one academic if you graduated within the last six years)
- ✓ Successful candidates must return to and remain in South Africa for at least five years after completing their studies
What's Included
- ✓ Funding of up to R1.5m (Master's) or R2m (PhD) toward postgraduate study at an international university
- ✓ Two Laurie Dippenaar scholarships are offered in each round
- ✓ Personal interest from Laurie Dippenaar in candidate selection and in the ongoing progress of recipients
- ✓ Membership of a high-calibre network of South African scholars studying at leading international universities
Work Commitment
Recipients must return to South Africa and remain in the country, working or contributing, for at least five years after completing their international studies.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your FirstRand Foundation (administered in-house by the FirstRand postgraduate scholarship office; coordinator Giselle Ras) bursary application
- 1
Apply to your chosen international university for a Master's or PhD programme before you submit the scholarship application
- 2
Visit the FirstRand scholarship portal at bursaries.firstrand.co.za and register a profile for the Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship when the round opens (the 2026 round opened on 20 October 2025)
- 3
Complete the online application, including all attachments and reference letters
- 4
Submit before the closing date (19 February 2026 in the 2026 round) - no late applications are accepted
- 5
Email your university acceptance letter to [email protected] as soon as it is received (by 7 April in the 2026 round)
- 6
Applications are reviewed by at least three evaluators; a long list of around 45 applicants is interviewed in Cape Town, Sandton or on Microsoft Teams
- 7
Up to ten shortlisted candidates for the Laurie Dippenaar and FirstRand Empowerment Foundation scholarships attend final interviews in Sandton in May, and the outcome is announced before the end of June
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of your South African ID
- 📄 Full academic transcripts and degree certificate(s)
- 📄 At least two reference letters (at least one academic if you graduated within the last six years), submitted with the online application
- 📄 Proof of application to, and (when received) acceptance by, an international university
- 📄 A motivation / supporting statement
- 📄 Up-to-date CV
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship?
- South African citizens with an excellent academic record, leadership ability, strong character and community involvement. Preference is given to candidates under the age of 35, and you must not currently be (or have previously been) studying overseas for degree purposes. Successful candidates must return to and remain in South Africa for at least five years after completing their studies.
- What does the scholarship cover and which fields are eligible?
- It funds postgraduate study in any field at an international university of your choice, providing up to R1.5 million for a Master's degree and up to R2 million for a PhD. As an 'any-field' award, there is no restriction on the discipline you study. Two Laurie Dippenaar scholarships are offered in each round.
- When do applications open and close?
- The 2026 round opened on Monday 20 October 2025 and closed on Thursday 19 February 2026, with acceptance letters due by 7 April 2026, final interviews in Sandton in May and an announcement before the end of June 2026. As of 12 October 2026 the portal had not announced dates for the next round; check bursaries.firstrand.co.za from late October.
- How is the Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship different from other FirstRand awards?
- It is the flagship 'any-field' international postgraduate scholarship within FirstRand's broader programme (which also includes the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation scholarship, FirstRand-Oxford scholarships, IHE Delft, IE School and the Mandela/Sussex scholarship). It is distinct from the local FirstRand undergraduate bursary and allows study in any discipline abroad.
When do 2027 applications open?
FirstRand Foundation (administered in-house by the FirstRand postgraduate scholarship office; coordinator Giselle Ras) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
The 2026 round opened on 20 October 2025 and closed on 19 February 2026, with university acceptance letters due by 7 April 2026, final interviews in Sandton in May and an announcement before the end of June 2026. FirstRand's scholarship portal had not announced dates for the next round as of 12 October 2026.
Check FirstRand Foundation (administered in-house by the FirstRand postgraduate scholarship office; coordinator Giselle Ras)'s official siteNeed help? Contact FirstRand Foundation (administered in-house by the FirstRand postgraduate scholarship office; coordinator Giselle Ras):
Email: [email protected]
Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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