Schwarzman Scholars (South Africa)
Schwarzman Scholars Foundation (hosted at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, Beijing)
Schwarzman Scholars is a prestigious, fully funded one-year master's programme that brings outstanding young leaders from around the world to study at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing. South African nationals apply through the U.S./Global application for the Master of Management Science in Global Affairs, which welcomes graduates from any undergraduate field. The award covers tuition, accommodation, travel, health insurance and a personal stipend, alongside an immersive leadership-development experience in China.
- Amount
- Fully funded for one year: tuition and fees, room and board, travel to and from Beijing, an in-country study tour, required course books and supplies, a laptop, health insurance and a personal stipend
- Deadline
- Closed 9 September 2026
- Renewable
- No
Eligible Fields of Study
Schwarzman Scholars Foundation (hosted at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, Beijing) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ Hold an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree, or be on track to complete all degree requirements before 1 August of the enrollment year
- ✓ Be aged at least 18 but not yet 29 as of 1 August of the enrollment year (1 August 2028 for the class of 2028-2029)
- ✓ Demonstrate strong English proficiency: be a native English speaker, OR have at least two years of English-medium undergraduate study (or two years of study in English at master's level or higher), OR provide official test scores (TOEFL iBT 100+ or 5 on the 6-point scale, IELTS 7+, Duolingo 130+, or Cambridge C1/C2 185+)
- ✓ Apply through the U.S./Global application if you do not hold Chinese citizenship (South Africans are eligible)
- ✓ Demonstrate leadership potential, academic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit and strong character
What's Included
- ✓ Full tuition and fees
- ✓ Accommodation (room and board) at Schwarzman College
- ✓ Travel to and from Beijing at the start and end of the academic year
- ✓ In-country study tour within China
- ✓ Required course books and supplies, and a laptop
- ✓ Health insurance
- ✓ Personal stipend
- ✓ No application fee; interview travel, meals and accommodation are covered by the programme
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Schwarzman Scholars Foundation (hosted at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, Beijing) bursary application
- 1
Check eligibility on the Schwarzman Scholars website; applicants without Chinese citizenship use the U.S./Global application
- 2
Create an account on the online application portal at connect.schwarzmanscholars.org/apply while applications are open (the class of 2028-2029 application runs from April to September 2027)
- 3
Complete the online application in English, including the required essays and your leadership and activity history (written work must be your own, not AI-generated)
- 4
Enter your recommenders in the portal so they can submit their letters before the deadline
- 5
Upload your academic transcripts and, where required, official English proficiency test scores
- 6
Submit before the deadline (for the class of 2027-2028 this was 9 September 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EDT); late applications are not accepted
- 7
Attend an interview if shortlisted (invitations go out in mid-October; interviews are held in late October and early November)
- 8
Successful scholars begin the programme in August of the following year
Required Documents
- 📄 Valid passport confirming non-Chinese citizenship
- 📄 Academic transcripts and degree certificate(s) for your undergraduate qualification
- 📄 Proof of English proficiency (standardised test scores where applicable)
- 📄 Two or more letters of recommendation from referees
- 📄 Application essays / personal statements
- 📄 Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume detailing leadership and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can South Africans apply for Schwarzman Scholars?
- Yes. Applicants with Chinese citizenship (Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) apply through a separate China application; everyone else, including South African nationals, applies through the U.S./Global application.
- What does the Schwarzman Scholars award cover?
- It is fully funded for one year. The programme covers tuition and fees, room and board at Schwarzman College, travel to and from Beijing at the start and end of the year, an in-country study tour, required course books and supplies, a laptop, health insurance and a personal stipend. There is no application fee, and interview travel and accommodation are also covered.
- What degree do Schwarzman Scholars earn?
- Scholars complete a one-year Master of Management Science in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University, with concentrations available in Public Policy, International Studies, and Economics & Business. Applicants from any undergraduate field and major are welcome.
- When does the Schwarzman Scholars application open and close?
- The U.S./Global application for the class of 2027-2028 closed at 3:00 p.m. EDT on 9 September 2026, with interviews in late October and early November and the programme starting in August 2027. The application for the class of 2028-2029 will be open from April 2027 to September 2027; exact dates had not been published as of 12 October 2026.
2027 applications have closed
The 2027 application window closed on 9 September 2026.
The U.S./Global application for the class of 2027-2028 (starting August 2027) closed at 3 p.m. EDT on 9 September 2026, with interviews in late October and early November. Schwarzman Scholars says the application for the class of 2028-2029 will be open from April 2027 to September 2027; exact dates were not published as of 12 October 2026.
Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.
Check Schwarzman Scholars Foundation (hosted at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, Beijing)'s official siteNeed help? Contact Schwarzman Scholars Foundation (hosted at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, Beijing):
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 212 314 8740 (New York); +86 10 6277 0631 (Beijing)
Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
Other Postgraduate bursaries
More funding opportunities in this field
Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK FCDO (South African candidates are nominated by the Department of Higher Education and Training)
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK funds Commonwealth citizens to study in the United Kingdom. South Africans are eligible for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, which fund a one-year taught Master's at a UK university, but not for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, which are limited to least developed and fragile countries. Funded by the UK FCDO, the Master's award covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, return airfare and other allowances for talented candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. South African applicants are nominated through the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
View details →SARB CEJ Scholarship in Economics Journalism (Rhodes University)
South African Reserve Bank Centre for Economic Journalism (SARB CEJ), funded by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) (hosted at the Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies; applications administered by the Rhodes University Postgraduate Funding Office)
The SARB Centre for Economic Journalism (CEJ) offers full South African Reserve Bank scholarships for postgraduate journalism study at Rhodes University, aimed at building skills in economics and community journalism. Awards cover all course-related costs, residence accommodation and meals during term time, and a stipend for living costs, and can be held on the PG Diploma in Journalism, PG Diploma in Economics Journalism, BA Honours (Journalism) or MA (Journalism). Preference is given to female candidates from a previously disadvantaged background who originate from the Eastern Cape, though candidates from a Commerce background are also encouraged to apply. Applications for 2027 close on 23 October 2026.
View details →Discovery Foundation Awards
Discovery Foundation
The Discovery Foundation Awards are grants for doctors and institutions in the public healthcare sector, not an undergraduate bursary. The Foundation offers five awards each year: Academic Fellowship Awards (PhD research by medical specialists), Sub-specialist Awards (HPCSA-accredited sub-specialist training) and three Rural and Underserved Areas awards (Individual, Institutional and Distinguished Visitor). Individual applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents living in South Africa; undergraduate students cannot apply.
View details →