Rothschild Foundation Scholarship 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 31 August 2026
Provider: Rothschild & Co
Field of study: Data Science
Study level: Postgraduate, Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

Every published round has closed on 31 August of the year before the honours year, most recently for the 2025-2026 cycle.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 31 August 2026 We could not confirm a 2027 advert; email the foundation to check, and prepare for the 2028 round in mid-2027. Latest update ↓

Rothschild & Co, the global financial advisory group, funds honours-level study in commerce, finance and mathematics through its South African foundation. The scholarship targets third-year students at the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand who cannot afford the honours or PGDA year that opens the door to chartered accountancy, actuarial work and investment banking.

About the Rothschild & Co Foundation Scholarship

Level: honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.
Fields: accounting science, actuarial science, business science, computational and applied mathematics, data analytics, econometrics and mathematical science.
Universities: University of Johannesburg and University of the Witwatersrand.
Covers tuition, textbooks, accommodation, meals, an allowance and other study expenses, scaled to need and other funding.

Rothschild Foundation Scholarship eligibility requirements

South African citizen with a Matric certificate.
In the third year of a relevant degree at UJ or Wits, intending to do honours or the PGDA there the following year.
Passed every undergraduate year and the current year’s mid-year exams.
Demonstrated financial need.
Involvement in community work during university.

How to apply for the Rothschild Foundation Scholarship

Request the application form from the foundation by email, or download it from the advert when it is published.
Attach a certified ID, a certified Matric certificate, your full academic record for years one to three, your mid-year results, an updated CV, proof of financial need and proof of community involvement.
Email everything to lynn.waterson@rothschildandco.com with the subject line “Rothschild & Co Foundation Scholarship 2027” before 31 August.

Rothschild Foundation Scholarship closing date

31 August each year for the following honours year. For 2028 honours, expect 31 August 2027.

Contact details

Email: lynn.waterson@rothschildandco.com
Rothschild & Co South Africa, Johannesburg: 011 428 4900
Website: www.rothschildandco.com

Honours candidates in accounting and actuarial science should also apply to the SAICA Thuthuka bursary, the Old Mutual actuarial bursary and the funders on our commerce bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the Rothschild & Co Foundation scholarship close? +

Every published round has closed on 31 August of the year before the honours year. The 2027 round, if run, would therefore have closed on 31 August 2026. Email the foundation to confirm whether a late or 2028 round is open.

2. What does it fund? +

An honours degree or PGDA at the University of Johannesburg or Wits in accounting science, actuarial science, business science, computational and applied mathematics, data analytics, econometrics or mathematical science.

3. What does it cover? +

Tuition, textbooks, accommodation, meals and an allowance, scaled to the student's financial need and any other funding.

4. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens in their third year at UJ or Wits who have passed every year and the current mid-year exams, plan to do honours the following year, show financial need and have done community work at university.

5. How do I apply? +

Email the completed application form and documents to lynn.waterson@rothschildandco.com with the subject line 'Rothschild & Co Foundation Scholarship' and the year.

6. Who is Rothschild & Co? +

A global financial advisory group. Its South African office in Johannesburg set up the foundation to fund postgraduate study in commerce and finance for students who could not otherwise afford it.

Update note (checked September 2026): every published round has closed on 31 August of the year before the honours year, most recently for the 2025-2026 cycle. A 2027 round, if run on the same timetable, would have closed on 31 August 2026. We could not confirm a 2027 advert; email the foundation to check, and prepare for the 2028 round in mid-2027. The details below are from the last published call.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

Or send your application by email:

lynn.waterson@rothschildandco.com

Put Rothschild & Co Foundation Scholarship 2027 in the subject line.

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.