Key Facts
- Status
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- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
Eligibility Requirements
- Female South African citizen
- Resident in Durban/eThekwini for at least three years
- Holds a completed undergraduate degree (minimum four years)
- Intends to pursue full-time postgraduate study at an overseas institution
- Age restrictions may apply (historically under 25 as at a set date -- confirm current-year criteria with UKZN)
About Emma Smith Overseas Scholarship
The Emma Smith Overseas Scholarship is a long-running fund, established in 1941, that is administered by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) on behalf of the Emma Smith Educational Fund. It supports top-performing female South African graduates resident in Durban/eThekwini to pursue full-time postgraduate study at an overseas university. A 2010 Supreme Court of Appeal ruling removed the fund's original racially restrictive eligibility clause, opening it to women of all races.
Funding Details
The scholarship funds up to two years of full-time postgraduate study abroad. Specific monetary values are not published and are determined by UKZN's Financial Aid administration on a case-by-case basis.
Where You Can Study
Funds postgraduate study at a university outside South Africa, in any field of study. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate qualification at a South African university.
About University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is a public research university formed in 2004 through the merger of the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville, with campuses across Durban, Pietermaritzburg and the w…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
The scholarship is open only to female South African graduates who have been resident in Durban/eThekwini for at least three years and who hold a completed undergraduate degree (four-year qualifications, with preference sometimes given to five-year qualifications). Applicants apply through the Financial Aid office on their UKZN campus.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this scholarship restricted to women?
The fund was established in 1941 under a will that specified female beneficiaries. A 2010 Supreme Court of Appeal judgment removed the fund's original racial restriction but the gender restriction (for female applicants) remains part of the fund's terms.
Do I have to already live in Durban?
Yes. Historically, applicants must have been resident in Durban/eThekwini for at least three years, which effectively limits eligibility to graduates with a genuine long-term connection to the city.
Is the current round still open?
No. The round found during research had a closing date of 13 March 2026, which has already passed as of 27 August 2026. Applications for the next academic cycle should be directed to the Financial Aid Advisor on the applicant's UKZN campus once a new call is issued.
Where do I apply?
Applications are not submitted online; they are lodged with the Financial Aid Advisor on the applicant's home UKZN campus.
