Can NSFAS fund a South African student to study or intern abroad?

Generally no. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds undergraduate and TVET study at South African public institutions only. NSFAS funding cannot be used for full study abroad. However, NSFAS-funded students who participate in short-term mobility through their home institution's Erasmus+ ICM agreement, semester exchange, or research collaboration may continue receiving NSFAS support during the mobility period if they remain enrolled at their SA institution. Confirm with your institution's financial aid office before travel.

What is the NRF and how does it fund outbound mobility?

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is South Africa's primary research funding body. NRF funds postgraduate study (master's and PhD) including international fellowships and mobility grants. Programmes include the NRF International Mobility Programme (research visits abroad), NRF-DAAD scholarships (joint programme with German DAAD for SA students in Germany), NRF Innovation Doctoral Scholarship Internships (industry placements). NRF does not directly fund undergraduate internships — these are typically covered by university Erasmus+ ICM, Mandela Rhodes-equivalent programmes, or bilateral schemes.

What is the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship?

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a postgraduate scholarship for African students (open to nationals of African Union member states) to pursue a master's degree at a South African university, NOT a study-abroad programme. Many people confuse it with the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford, which is open to South African students for postgraduate study at Oxford and is administered by the Rhodes Trust. For South African undergraduates seeking outbound funding, the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford is the most prestigious option, with annual selection in early Q4.

How does DAAD-SA work for South African students?

The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) maintains a strong programme for South African students. Key offerings: DAAD-SA Postgraduate Scholarships for master's and PhD study in Germany; DAAD-NRF joint scholarships for South African students at German universities; DAAD short-term scholarships for research stays. Applications administered through the DAAD South Africa office in Pretoria. Funding typically covers monthly stipend, travel, health insurance, and tuition fee waiver at most German public universities.

Can South African students access Erasmus+ funding?

Yes, through Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) when their South African university has a bilateral agreement with a European partner institution. ICM funds short-term mobility (3-12 months) including internships, study, and research stays. Funding flows from the European partner via the EU. SA students must be nominated by their home institution. Check your university's International Relations Office for the list of European partners with active Erasmus+ agreements.

What are typical costs of an internship in Europe for South African students?

Without funding, costs vary by city: Berlin (~EUR 800-1,000/month for accommodation + living), Barcelona (~EUR 700-900), Amsterdam (~EUR 1,000-1,400), Lisbon (~EUR 600-800), Prague (~EUR 500-700). Add: international flights from Johannesburg/Cape Town to Europe (~ZAR 12,000-22,000 round trip), Schengen visa (~ZAR 1,800), travel insurance (~ZAR 1,000-2,000/month). Total budget for a 3-month unpaid internship typically ZAR 50,000-90,000. Funded internships (where the host pays a stipend) significantly reduce the burden.

What is the visa process for South African students going to Europe?

South African passport holders need a Schengen visa for European travel. For internships under 90 days: Schengen short-stay visa (Type C). For longer placements: National long-stay visa (Type D) plus residence permit. Apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the most time (or first enter the Schengen Area). Processing time: 4-8 weeks. Required documents typically include: confirmation letter from host organisation, financial proof (bank statements showing EUR 50-70/day for stay), travel insurance covering EUR 30,000+, return flight booking, accommodation proof, FBI/SAPS police clearance for long-stay.

Funding Reference

South African Student Outbound Mobility Funding 2026

A structured reference for South African students seeking funding to study, intern, or research abroad. Covers NSFAS rules, NRF programmes, DAAD-SA cooperation, Mandela Rhodes vs Rhodes Scholarships, Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility, and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) bursary landscape.

Updated: 10 May 2026 · Sources: nrf.ac.za · daad.org.za · mandelarhodes.org

NSFAS and Outbound Mobility

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is South Africa's primary public funding body for low-income undergraduate students. NSFAS funds tuition, accommodation, and stipends for students enrolled at South African public institutions only. NSFAS funding cannot be transferred to foreign universities or used for full study abroad.

However, NSFAS-funded students participating in short-term mobility through their home institution often retain NSFAS support during the mobility period, provided they remain officially enrolled at the SA institution. Confirm specifics with your institution's financial aid office before committing to any outbound activity.

NRF Mobility Programmes

The National Research Foundation funds South African research and researchers, including international mobility components for postgraduate students.

Key NRF outbound funding routes

NRF Innovation Scholarships — postgraduate research with international placement components
NRF-DAAD Joint Programme — for SA students pursuing master's or PhD in Germany, jointly funded by NRF and DAAD
NRF International Mobility Grant — short research visits abroad (typically 3-6 months)
NRF Doctoral Scholarship Internships — industry placements as part of doctoral programmes

Applications administered through the NRF online portal. Annual cycles typically open August-September for the following academic year. Reference: nrf.ac.za.

DAAD South Africa

The German Academic Exchange Service has a dedicated South Africa office and is the most active bilateral mobility funder for SA students going to Europe.

Main DAAD programmes for SA students

DAAD-SA Postgraduate Scholarships — master's and PhD study in Germany. Monthly stipend (~EUR 934 for master's, EUR 1,200 for PhD), tuition waiver at public universities, travel allowance, health insurance.
NRF-DAAD Joint Scholarships — joint funded with NRF for SA students at German universities
DAAD Short-Term Research Grants — research stays of 1-6 months for SA postgraduates and researchers
RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) — for SA undergraduates in STEM (similar to DAAD WISE for India)

Application cycle: typically October-November for funding starting the following October. Apply via daad.org.za.

Rhodes Scholarship vs Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

These are commonly confused. They are different programmes.

Aspect	Rhodes Scholarship	Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
Destination	Oxford University, UK	South African universities
Eligibility	SA citizens for postgrad at Oxford	African Union nationals for postgrad in SA
Administrator	Rhodes Trust	Mandela Rhodes Foundation
Selection	Annual, ~10-12 SA scholars	Annual, ~30-40 African scholars

For SA students seeking prestigious outbound funding to study at Oxford, the Rhodes Scholarship is the canonical route. Annual selection by Rhodes Scholarship South Africa committees, applications close around mid-Q3.

Erasmus+ ICM for South African Students

Most accessible outbound mobility for undergraduate SA students comes through Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) when their SA university has a bilateral ICM agreement with a European partner.

Funding: monthly living allowance EUR 700-900 (rate varies by destination)
Travel: distance-banded grant (EUR 275-1,500 round trip)
Period: 3-12 months
Activities: study placement OR internship OR research

Speak to your university's International Relations Office to find out which European partners your institution has Erasmus+ ICM agreements with. Most large SA universities (UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP, UJ, NWU, UKZN) maintain extensive ICM partnerships.

Other Bilateral and Country-Specific Programmes

Chevening Scholarships (UK) — UK Foreign Office postgraduate scholarship, annual cycle August-November
Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA) — for postgraduate study in the USA
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France) — for international students at French institutions
Holland Scholarship (Netherlands) — bachelor's and master's at participating Dutch universities
Endeavour Scholarship (Australia) — for postgraduate and research stays
Confucius Scholarships (China) — for Mandarin language study

Paid Internships in Europe (No Scholarship Required)

Many European companies pay South African student interns competitive stipends. Internship Abroad places SA students at verified European companies across all fields. Stipends come from the host company:

Germany: EUR 800-1,500/month at engineering and tech firms
Netherlands: EUR 500-1,200/month, especially strong in tech and design
France: EUR 600-1,200/month with mandatory minimum gratification
Spain / Portugal: EUR 400-900/month with lower cost of living

See Internship Abroad placement services

Authoritative Sources

NSFAS: nsfas.org.za
NRF: nrf.ac.za
DAAD South Africa: daad.org.za
Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford): rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
Mandela Rhodes Foundation: mandelarhodes.org
DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training): dhet.gov.za
Chevening Scholarships: chevening.org

This page is an independent reference compiled by Internship Abroad. We are not the operator of NRF, NSFAS, DAAD, or Rhodes scholarships. For applications and current calls, refer to the official sources above. For self-funded paid internship placements in Europe, see our services.