Mauritius scholarships: Study for free in Paradise

Mauritius will now offer generous scholarships to South African students under its Mauritius-Africa Scholarship Scheme.

With the new year upon us and many South Africans have completed their schooling or their undergraduate university studies, here is an opportunity to begin further studies for free, in the idyllic Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius.

These scholarships are open to South African students who will receive free education at public universities in Mauritius as well as a monthly stipend. Flight tickets to the island can also be reimbursed after arrival.

MAURITIUS RATED ONE OF THE SAFEST COUNTRY’S IN AFRICA

Mauritius is again open to nationals from South Africa after the island-state removed the travel and flight bans it imposed on SA in November last year. Direct flights between SA and Mauritius have resumed, with Air Mauritius. SA-based airlines, including the low-cost carrier FlySafair, are expected to announce their schedules soon.  

The island nation is rated one of the safest countries in Africa alongside Botswana and Namibia, and was in July 2020 classified by the World Bank, as a high-income country. The island’s education system is exemplary, producing a large number of IT and finance professionals for its fast-growing local financial services sector and stock market (SEMDEX).

South Africans are invited to apply for the Mauritius-Africa Scholarship Scheme offered by the government of Mauritius for full-time, on-campus undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

The scholarship scheme is only for programmes offered for studies undertaken at public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Mauritius for the 2022 academic year, starting in April 2022.

MAURITIUS SCHOLARSHIPS ONLY FOR SA STUDENTS

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the scheme’s Nominating Agency, has called on South Africans who wish to apply for the Mauritius-Africa Scholarship Scheme to do so before the closing date of 31 January 2022.

“The information provided is for South African applicants only. Applicants from other eligible countries should contact their government or local representative of the Government of Mauritius for information on how to apply,” the DHET said, per BusinessTech

STUDIES STARTING IN APRIL

The department said applicants should note that this call for applications is for the April 2022 intake only. The call for the October 2022 intake will be published later in the year.

Applicants are urged to note that the above deadline differs from what is contained in the guidelines below, due to the processing of applications and selection processes that need to be completed by DHET.

“Failure to submit applications and supporting documents by the above due date will result in your application not being considered,” the department said.

The department said self-financing African students already studying in Mauritius are not eligible to apply for the same programme level where they are currently studying under this scholarship scheme.

ALSO READ: FlySafair Mauritius flights: airline announces start date

MAURITIUS SCHOLARSHIP INCLUSIONS

The scholarship will offer tuition fees and course-related costs of up to MUR 100 000 and a monthly living allowance to the value of MUR 12 500 (approximately R4 500).

Students will also be entitled to free basic health care in public hospitals in Mauritius and return airfare to and from the island by the most economical route.

“Awardees will have to make their own arrangements to pay for their one-way air tickets and then apply for a refund upon arrival in Mauritius by providing the necessary original receipts and documentation. Please read the guidelines to ensure you have the correct documents for a refund,” the department said.

The department states that successful candidates are required to make provision for all other expenses not covered under this scholarship, for example, additional tuition costs above the tuition offer, costs of fieldwork, books and re-sit examination costs.

Applicants are advised to carefully read the guidelines before applying, to ensure they are eligible before applying.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The following general criteria must be met:

• South African citizens with a good health and with a strong academic record;
• Candidates must have an interest in studying in Mauritius and demonstrate a commitment to the development of South Africa;
• Candidates must be available to study in Mauritius at the start of their academic programme in April 2022;
• All applicants must meet the entry criteria for their selected programme in Mauritius;
• All applicants must meet the minimum academic requirement for entry into a similar programme at a South African university;
• All candidates must have proficiency in English;
• Applicants must not already have a scholarship from any other public source in Mauritius;
• Applicants must have already applied for full-time on-campus studies at any public Higher Education Institution in Mauritius for the academic year starting in 2022 (proof of application is required by 19 February 2022);
• Awardees should be vaccinated against Covid-19 to have access to higher education institutions in Mauritius. Awardees who cannot for medical purposes be vaccinated will be required to produce duly certified medical certificates;
• Applicants must be prepared to undergo a medical check-up as per the Passport and Immigration Office requirements (http://passport.govmu.org) in Mauritius and the tests results shall be submitted to the Passport and Immigration Office, with a copy to the Ministry, not later than one month after arrival in Mauritius.

APPLICANTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

• Must have successfully completed National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s pass and a minimum of 60% average mark achieved, excluding Life Orientation subject;
• Applicants should be over 18 years of age and should not have reached their 26th birthday by August 2022.
• Candidates already holding an undergraduate degree will not be considered.

APPLICANTS FOR MASTERS SCHOLARSHIPS

• Master’s applicants must have completed an Honour’s degree with a minimum of 60% average mark achieved;
• Applicants should not have reached 35 years of age by 22 August 2022;
• All applicants must submit a detailed study/research plan of about 750 words and a name of a proposed supervisor in Mauritius, where applicable;
• Applicants already holding a Master’s degree or its equivalent will not be considered.

APPLICANTS FOR PHD SCHOLARSHIPS

• PhD applicants must already hold a Master’s by research or equivalent degree in the relevant field, with a minimum of 60% average mark achieved;
• Applicants should not have reached 40 years of age by 22 August 2022;
• All applicants must submit a detailed study/research plan of about 1 500 words and a name of a proposed supervisor in Mauritius, where applicable;
• Applicants must submit evidence of support from a named supervisor from one of the universities in Mauritius, together with their application;
• Applicants already holding a PhD degree or its equivalent will not be considered.

You can find more information about applying here.

By: Lorne Philpot