By GraduateRoom · Checked against the official advert on
The Monocle Foundation Trust is accepting bursary applications for 2027 degree and postgraduate studies. It targets previously disadvantaged black female South African students in their second year or later, with the ideal applicant having no alternative bursary.
The application asks for more than marks and a CV: candidates must explain their circumstances and provide a breakdown of the money needed for the year.
| Provider | Monocle Foundation Trust |
|---|---|
| Study stage | Second year or above; degree or postgraduate study |
| Example fields | Finance, Mathematics, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science and Medicine; not an exclusive list |
| Selection timing | Shortlisting/contact by November 2026; successful applicants selected before mid-December |
| Exact deadline | Not stated on the recruitment advert; apply promptly and confirm with the provider |
| Repayment | No repayment or work-back obligation; academic updates required |
Illustrative student photograph; the person is not identified as a bursary beneficiary. Photo by sammy swae / Unsplash.
Use the provider’s complete document checklist
- Letter to the Trustees covering background, study field, career ambitions and motivation.
The official advert says all requested documents must accompany an application. A listed expense category is not a guarantee that every cost will be paid.
Write a specific motivation
GraduateRoom recommends planning your letter around three points: what you are studying, what is preventing you from funding it and how you intend to use the qualification. Use your real circumstances and avoid a generic story that could belong to any applicant.
For example, explain a funding shortfall using an institution’s fee estimate and support already confirmed. Connect your career ambitions to actual modules, projects or responsibilities. Do not invent hardship, achievements or results to make the letter sound stronger.
Make the budget easy to assess
Separate once-off costs from recurring costs and show the period covered. Label estimates clearly and keep supporting fee quotations where available. Check that monthly figures are multiplied by the correct number of study months.
A practical budget can show the expense, its source, total cost, confirmed funding and remaining shortfall. This layout is editorial advice rather than a compulsory Monocle template. Disclose other funding honestly so the Trustees can assess your situation.
Understand the obligations
Beneficiaries provide progress updates and final results to the Trust. Keep a simple study record if selected so that reporting does not become an end-of-year scramble. Ask the provider to explain award scope and reporting dates before accepting an offer.
Submit through the official page
Use Apply for Position on Monocle’s recruitment page. Check that files open, names match and the budget agrees with your motivation. Save any acknowledgement and monitor the contact channel you supplied. No selection outcome is guaranteed.
Apply through the official provider
GraduateRoom does not collect applications or select candidates. Details were checked on 21 October 2026; confirm the status and current instructions with the provider before submitting.