Postgraduate Skye Foundation (Skye Foundation Trust and Skye International Foundation Trust, founded 1997 by the Zylstra family; administered directly by the Skye Foundation Trust, with jointly-funded awards run alongside the Cambridge Trust and the Oxford Clarendon Fund)

Skye Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

The Skye Foundation funds outstanding young South Africans of exceptional merit to pursue postgraduate study and research under leaders in their field, at top South African universities or, at the trustees' discretion, at world-leading institutions abroad. The scheme is nomination-only: candidates cannot apply directly and must be nominated by their faculty dean and supported by academic leaders in their discipline. Jointly-funded routes include the Skye Cambridge Scholarship (with the Cambridge Trust) and the Skye Foundation Oxford Clarendon Scholarship.

Amount:
Generous, variable awards. For SA study, may cover tuition, living expenses and other costs; the jointly-funded Skye Cambridge Scholarship covers the University composition fee, college fee and an annual stipend for up to 3 years.
Deadline:
31 January 2026
Renewable:
Yes

Eligible Fields of Study

Skye Foundation (Skye Foundation Trust and Skye International Foundation Trust, founded 1997 by the Zylstra family; administered directly by the Skye Foundation Trust, with jointly-funded awards run alongside the Cambridge Trust and the Oxford Clarendon Fund) supports students in the following disciplines

Open / unrestricted - any academic discipline
Sciences
Engineering
Humanities
Social Sciences
Commerce and Business (including, for Skye Cambridge, MBA, Executive MBA, Executive Master of Accounting, MFin/Master of Finance, MSt in Entrepreneurship and MSt in Social Innovation)
Tenable for Master's, MPhil and PhD/doctoral research; for Skye Cambridge, any academic subject at the University of Cambridge

Eligibility Requirements

  • South African citizen
  • Normally under the age of 30
  • Outstanding academic achievement - a candidate of exceptional merit
  • Intending to read for a higher degree or pursue research under leaders in the field
  • NOMINATION ONLY: candidates cannot apply directly - you must be nominated by the dean of your faculty and supported by academic leaders in your discipline
  • For Cambridge awards: must apply for and secure admission to the University of Cambridge before the relevant course funding deadline
  • Successful candidates studying abroad must sign an undertaking to return to South Africa after completing their studies and provide biannual progress reports

What's Included

  • Tuition / composition fees
  • Living and accommodation expenses
  • Annual stipend (for jointly-funded Cambridge awards, paid for up to 3 years)
  • Funding tenable at South African universities with strong research records or, at the trustees' discretion, at recognised institutions anywhere in the world
  • Access to world-leading routes such as Cambridge (via the Cambridge Trust) and Oxford (via the Clarendon Fund)
  • Mentorship through study and research under leaders in your field

Work Commitment

No formal work-back, but candidates funded to study abroad must sign an undertaking to return to South Africa after completing their studies and submit biannual progress reports.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Skye Foundation (Skye Foundation Trust and Skye International Foundation Trust, founded 1997 by the Zylstra family; administered directly by the Skye Foundation Trust, with jointly-funded awards run alongside the Cambridge Trust and the Oxford Clarendon Fund) bursary application

  1. 1

    Note that this is a nomination-only scheme - you cannot apply directly to the Skye Foundation, and unsolicited applications will not be acknowledged

  2. 2

    Establish a record of exceptional academic merit and a clear plan for a higher degree or research under leaders in your field

  3. 3

    Seek nomination from the dean of your faculty, supported by academic leaders in your discipline

  4. 4

    Once nominated, your faculty submits your application to the Skye Foundation by the published annual deadline

  5. 5

    For Cambridge awards, separately apply for and secure admission to the University of Cambridge before the relevant Cambridge course funding deadline

  6. 6

    If selected for a study-abroad award, sign the undertaking to return to South Africa and commit to providing biannual progress reports

  7. 7

    Verify current dates and details on the official site (skyefoundation.co.za) each cycle, noting the site is served over HTTP

Required Documents

  • 📄 Faculty dean's nomination and supporting letters from academic leaders in your discipline
  • 📄 Full academic transcripts and qualification certificates
  • 📄 Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 📄 Research proposal or study plan
  • 📄 Proof of South African citizenship (certified ID copy)
  • 📄 Proof of application or admission to the host institution (for Cambridge awards, Cambridge admission before the course funding deadline)
  • 📄 Signed undertaking to return to South Africa (for study-abroad awards)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply directly to the Skye Foundation?
No. The Skye Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship is a nomination-only scheme. You cannot apply directly, and unsolicited applications will not be acknowledged. You must be nominated by the dean of your faculty and supported by academic leaders in your discipline.
Who is eligible for a Skye Foundation scholarship?
You must be a South African citizen, normally under the age of 30, with outstanding academic achievement, intending to read for a higher degree or pursue research under leaders in your field. Selection is based on exceptional merit.
Where can I study with a Skye Foundation scholarship?
Funding is tenable at South African universities with strong research records or, at the trustees' discretion, at recognised institutions anywhere in the world. Jointly-funded routes include the Skye Cambridge Scholarship (with the Cambridge Trust) and the Skye Foundation Oxford Clarendon Scholarship. For Cambridge awards you must secure Cambridge admission before the relevant course funding deadline.
When is the deadline?
The scheme runs on an annual cycle and the Cambridge Judge Business School lists a 31 January deadline. Candidates must be nominated by their faculty dean and apply to Skye by the published deadline, while Cambridge applicants must also meet the relevant Cambridge course funding deadline. Always verify current dates on the official site each cycle.