Rhodes Mellon Bursaries Offer Tuition and Living Support for Creative Writing Students
Rhodes Mellon Bursaries support full-time creative writing study
Rhodes University lists a limited number of Andrew W. Mellon bursaries for South African citizens entering its full-time MA in Creative Writing in 2027–2028. The support covers tuition and living expenses across both years. Selection considers financial need and the quality of creative work, among other factors. No current award amount is specified on the course page.
Admission and application deadline
An Honours qualification in any discipline or an accepted NQF equivalent is required. The course application asks for a 30–35-page creative portfolio, brief CV, short motivation and academic transcripts. Applications are considered until 30 November 2026. Students completing a qualifying degree should disclose that their final results are pending.
Use the official application route
Apply through ROSS and select the admission option for applicants not yet enrolled at Rhodes. The course page also instructs applicants to send duplicate documents to macw@ru.ac.za. Confirm any separate funding instructions with the department. Part-time course admission is offered, but the listed Mellon bursaries are for full-time South African citizens.
Select a portfolio that demonstrates your strengths
The following is independent preparation advice, not an extra admission rule. Treat the portfolio as an edited selection rather than an archive of everything you have written. Choose work that shows control of form, voice and structure. Read the pieces together and consider whether their order helps a reader understand your interests. A smaller number of carefully revised pieces can communicate more effectively than a collection assembled without a clear purpose.
Show how you respond to revision
Before submitting, leave time between drafting and proofreading. Read the work aloud where appropriate and check for inconsistencies in names, chronology and point of view. Feedback can be valuable, but the writing must remain your own. Keep a record of revisions so that you can explain the decisions you made if asked. Do not disguise somebody else’s creative work as a personal sample.
Explain why postgraduate study is the right next step
Use your motivation to connect your reading and writing experience with what you hope to investigate through sustained study. Avoid relying only on general enthusiasm or a desire to publish. Explain the kinds of questions that interest you as a writer and the areas where structured feedback could develop your practice. Be honest about your experience; a clear account of work in progress is more useful than exaggerated claims.
Plan for study and funding separately
An application is not an offer of admission or a funding award. Keep academic and financial correspondence organised, and do not assume that acceptance automatically includes a bursary. Before making major commitments, ask the university to clarify the award terms and any costs outside the funding. Maintain copies of all submissions and monitor the contact address used for your application.
Frequently asked questions
Must my Honours degree be in creative writing? The course accepts Honours in any discipline or an accepted equivalent.
Are these bursaries for part-time study? The current listing specifies full-time South African citizens.
Is there a guaranteed bursary for every admitted student? No, the university lists a limited number.
Read official course and bursary instructions
Checked on 30 October 2026. Reign Gigs is an independent publisher, not the university or funder.
Explore other bursaries and scholarships on Reign Gigs, checking eligibility separately.
