Deadline: April 1, 2018
Applications are invited for the Universitiet Leiden Mandela Scholarship Fund 2018. The Scholarship fund is for Exchange and Study Abroad students from South Africa who would like to study at Leiden University for one semester. The scholarship will be awarded for a maximum of five months.
On March 12, 1999, his Excellency President Nelson Mandela of South Africa received an Honorary Doctorate from Leiden University, the Netherlands. To mark this memorable event, Leiden University founded the Mandela Scholarship Fund.
On receiving the award the President Mandela stated that it brought him great not only great honour, but also great responsibility: “South Africans will in the coming years have to solve problems that you have faced before us. We have to build many new houses and schools, extend health care still further, and deal with crime and corruption. These challenges are even greater than those we have already overcome, and we will need all the strength that we have, and that of our friends. As much as anything, that is true also of South Africa’s universities and the scientific work we are doing. A greater exchange of students will be enriching for both of our nations. On the one hand it will contribute to the development of our country and the rebirth of our continent. And on the other, we believe contact with the young people of my country will enrich and enlarge the insight that your youth has of your history and I dare say the multi-cultural character of your society.”
Scholarship
The scholarship amount differs for Exchange students and Study Abroad students:
- Exchange students
- Living allowance: € 1000 per month (for a maximum of five months)
- Insurance will be sponsored by AON Student Insurance and arranged by the Scholarships Department of Leiden University. (to be confirmed)
- Study Abroad Students
- Tuition fee: the actual fee
- Living allowance: € 1000 per month (for a maximum of five months)
- Insurance will be sponsored by AON Student Insurance and arranged by the Scholarships Department of Leiden University. (to be confirmed)
Eligibility
Applicants must be
- Permanent residents of South Africa;
- Enrolled in at South African University;
- Accepted for a semester programme at Leiden University as an Exchange student or Study Abroad student;
- Motivated to upgrade or extend their knowledge in order to make a contribution towards the development of South Africa;
- Committed to return to South Africa after their study period at Leiden University.
Application
The required application documents are:
- Application form (in Word-Format) (including a letter of motivation);
- Admission letter for a Study Abroad or Exchange programme at Leiden University;
- Two original letters of recommendation (one of which should be from an academic staff member);
- A transcript of academic records;
- An up-to-date Curriculum vitae;
- Photocopy of a valid passport and any other passports, if you have dual nationality;
- Copy of the outcome of other scholarship/grant applications;
- Proof that you can support yourself financially, since the Mandela Scholarship Fund is not sufficient to cover all expenses. Proof can be:
- A letter that states that you receive a student grant and the exact amount and duration of this grant
- A recent bank statement in your own name that shows that you have sufficient financial means to cover your expenses in The Netherlands
- A notary statement declaring that your parents have sufficient financial means to support your study in The Netherlands.
Application Deadlines
- 1 October 2017 for programs starting in February 2018
- 1 April 2018 for programs starting in September 2018
For more information, visit Universitiet Mandela Scholarship Fund.
