Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship 2027 for South African Students – Study in the UK

South African students with outstanding academic records can apply for the Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship 2027, a prestigious postgraduate scholarship supporting study at a university in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship is available for Master's degree or PhD study and can be awarded for a maximum of two years. Previous Cecil Renaud scholars have studied at leading UK universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and other institutions.

Applications for the 2027 Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship close on 30 September 2026.

Official Cecil Renaud Scholarship website

Cecil Renaud Scholarship 2027 at a Glance

What Is the Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship?

The Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship was established by the Cecil Renaud Educational and Charitable Trust to support exceptional young South Africans pursuing postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship is awarded annually to one or two students and supports postgraduate study for a maximum of two years at a UK university of the student's choice.

Past recipients have gone on to study at universities including:

• University of Oxford

• University of Cambridge

• University of Edinburgh

• University of London

• University of York

• Imperial College London

• Goldsmiths, University of London

The scholarship has supported students across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, artificial intelligence, law, politics, medicine, mathematics, theology and the arts.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship is described by the Trust as a full postgraduate scholarship for study in the United Kingdom.

The award can support postgraduate study for a maximum of two years.

Because the Trust's current application page does not publish a detailed 2027 financial breakdown, applicants should refer to the official scholarship information and application documents for the exact award arrangements applicable to the 2027 intake.

View the official Cecil Renaud Scholarship information

Who Can Apply?

The Cecil Renaud Scholarship has more specific eligibility requirements than many international scholarships.

Applicants must meet the Trust's academic, age, schooling and university requirements.

1. South African applicants

The scholarship is intended for young South Africans.

2. KwaZulu-Natal secondary schooling

Applicants must have completed a major part of their secondary schooling in KwaZulu-Natal.

This is an important requirement.

A student who is currently studying at a South African university but did not attend secondary school in KwaZulu-Natal would generally not meet this criterion.

3. Age requirement

Applicants must be under 27 years old at the time of applying.

4. Current university study

The scholarship is open to:

• Postgraduate students currently studying towards an Honours degree; or

• Undergraduate students in their final year of a four-year degree.

The Trust states that applicants should have attained, or be aiming to attain, undergraduate or Honours degrees of a very high academic standard.

5. Academic excellence

The scholarship is aimed at exceptional academic performers.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong academic record, including achievements such as Dean's Commendations, Certificates of Merit or equivalent recognition, where applicable.

6. Leadership and impact

Academic results are not the only consideration.

The Trust is looking for applicants who demonstrate:

• Leadership

• Focus

• Commitment

• Stamina

• Extracurricular involvement

• A desire to make a meaningful contribution to South Africa

The Trust describes its ideal scholars as people who will make a significant impact in their field and the wider world.

What Can You Study?

The scholarship is open to any field of study.

Past scholars have studied subjects ranging from engineering and artificial intelligence to law, politics, medicine, theology, mathematics and the arts.

This makes the Cecil Renaud Scholarship particularly interesting for high-achieving students whose field does not fall into a specific STEM-only scholarship category.

Where Can You Study?

Successful applicants can undertake postgraduate study at a university in the United Kingdom.

Previous scholars have attended some of the UK's most prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

Applicants should therefore focus on securing admission to a suitable UK postgraduate programme as part of their preparation.

Master's or PhD Study

The scholarship can support:

• Master's degrees or equivalent postgraduate qualifications

• PhD study

The Trust states that the scholarship can be awarded for a maximum period of two years.

Applicants should make sure that their proposed UK programme fits within the scholarship's duration and requirements.

Application Deadline

Applications for the 2027 Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship close on:

30 September 2026

The official application page states that completed applications and supporting documentation must be submitted on or before the deadline.

Because the selection process includes shortlisting and interviews, applicants should submit their applications well before the closing date.

How to Apply

The Cecil Renaud application process is different from many large international scholarship programmes.

Applicants should:

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Before downloading the application form, make sure you meet the key requirements:

• South African

• Under 27

• Attended secondary school in KwaZulu-Natal

• Currently completing an Honours degree or final year of a four-year undergraduate degree

• Strong academic record

• Evidence of leadership and commitment

Step 2: Download the application form

The official website provides the application form for the 2027 scholarship.

Download and access the official application information

Step 3: Prepare your supporting documents

Applicants should prepare the supporting documentation required by the Trust and ensure that the application presents their academic achievements, leadership experience and future study plans clearly.

Step 4: Submit the application

The Trust's official application page states that completed applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Trust by 30 September 2026.

Step 5: Prepare for the selection process

After the application deadline, candidates are shortlisted and invited to interviews.

The trustees may then select up to two scholarship recipients.

Why This Scholarship Is Worth Considering

The Cecil Renaud Scholarship is highly competitive, but it offers an opportunity that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Instead of restricting applicants to one subject area, the scholarship considers candidates from any field of study.

It also has a history of supporting students at some of the UK's leading universities.

For a South African student who meets the KwaZulu-Natal schooling requirement and has an exceptional academic and leadership record, this should be considered alongside larger international scholarships such as Chevening.

Important Eligibility Warning

This scholarship is not open to every South African student.

The KwaZulu-Natal schooling requirement is particularly important.

Applicants must have attended secondary school in KwaZulu-Natal, and the Trust also requires applicants to be under 27.

If you do not meet these requirements, you should look at other UK scholarships instead.

Final Reminder

The Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship 2027 offers outstanding young South Africans the opportunity to pursue postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship supports Master's or PhD study for up to two years and accepts applicants from any field of study.

However, the scholarship is highly selective and has strict eligibility requirements.

The most important date is:

Application deadline: 30 September 2026

If you meet the KwaZulu-Natal schooling, age, academic and university requirements, prepare your application early rather than waiting until the final day.

Apply for the Cecil Renaud Overseas Scholarship 2027