TFG Data Science and Leadership Fellowship 2027 closes 30 September. See funding, eligibility, institutions and how to apply.
For students who have already reached postgraduate level, funding for a Master’s degree can be difficult to secure. The TFG Data Science and Leadership Fellowship stands out because it is aimed specifically at South Africans pursuing advanced study in data science and related fields, rather than undergraduate study.
The fellowship is supported by TFG (The Foschini Group) and administered through StudyTrust. For the 2027 academic year, applications opened on 1 June and the application season closes on 30 September 2026.
That deadline makes this an important opportunity to understand properly before applying. One of the biggest points students should know is that this is not a general bursary for any university or any tertiary qualification. It is specifically linked to Master’s-level Data Science study at five designated Tier One South African public institutions.
What exactly is the TFG Data Science and Leadership Fellowship?
The fellowship supports the first and second years of a research or coursework Master’s degree in Data Science or a related qualification.
Selection is based on more than academic results. StudyTrust says candidates are assessed on academic excellence, innovation, creativity and leadership. The fellowship is open to South Africans, although preference is given to under-represented groups.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to graduates who can demonstrate not only strong university performance, but also an ability to think creatively, solve problems and take initiative.
TFG’s interest in the field is closely connected to the growing role of data in both business and society. The group describes data science as important to informed decision-making and to understanding complex information, while its own business increasingly relies on data, technology and digital customer experiences.
Who is behind the fellowship?
TFG, formerly known as The Foschini Group, is a diversified retail group with brands operating across different consumer and product categories.
The company says its portfolio includes 39 leading retail brands, more than 4,900 outlets in 22 countries and a workforce of more than 50,000 people. Its operations span areas including fashion, jewellery, cosmetics, sporting apparel, electronics, homeware and furniture.
TFG has also developed its digital retail presence through Bash, which connects its retail brands and customers through an online platform.
This background helps explain why the fellowship focuses so heavily on data. Data science is relevant not only to academic research but also to areas such as customer behaviour, digital platforms, business intelligence, forecasting, optimisation and decision-making.
What does the fellowship pay for?
The financial support is one of the most important parts of the opportunity.
According to StudyTrust, the fellowship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Meal allowance
- Equipment
- Textbooks
- Coaching and mentoring support
- An event hosted at TFG’s Head Office in Cape Town
This means students should not look at the fellowship simply as a tuition-fee bursary. The stated package also includes support for living and academic needs, together with developmental and mentoring components.
Students should nevertheless read the official fellowship information carefully for the exact terms applicable to their intake.
Which students can apply?
The fellowship is designed for South African students pursuing Master’s-level study.
The stated study area is:
Research or coursework Master’s degrees in Data Science or related qualifications.
The fellowship is therefore particularly relevant to applicants whose academic plans involve areas such as data science, advanced analytics or closely related postgraduate study.
However, having a qualification with the word “data” in its title does not automatically mean that it will qualify. The final decision depends on whether the proposed qualification falls within the fellowship’s approved study field and institution requirements.
The five-university rule is important
This is one area where applicants should be especially careful.
The current StudyTrust fellowship page says funding is available across five designated Tier One South African public institutions of higher learning, but the current page does not list the five institutions by name.
TFG’s earlier published information provides some useful historical context. Its 2023 media release identified fellowship recipients studying at the University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria and Wits University, while stating that the fellowship covered five leading South African universities in total.
TFG’s 2025 reporting continues to describe the fellowship as funding Master’s study at five leading South African universities.
Because the current 2027 StudyTrust page does not name all five, students should not assume that every South African university offering a Data Science Master’s is automatically covered.
In particular, do not apply on the assumption that your university qualifies simply because it is a public institution.
What about private universities?
The fellowship’s current description refers specifically to five designated Tier One South African public institutions.
Therefore, a student studying at a private institution should not assume that the TFG fellowship applies to them.
The same caution applies to institutions outside the five designated universities.
Does the TFG fellowship cover TVET Colleges?
No, not for the fellowship described here.
A TVET College does not offer the type of Master’s degree targeted by this opportunity.
The TFG Data Science and Leadership Fellowship is specifically for the first and second year of a research or coursework Master’s degree at designated public institutions.
So if you are looking for funding for an NATED programme, NC(V), occupational qualification, diploma, certificate or other TVET College programme, this is not the appropriate TFG funding opportunity.
StudyTrust does administer some bursaries that are available to TVET and Agricultural College students, but those are separate opportunities with their own requirements. StudyTrust’s general application information confirms that only a limited number of its bursaries are available to TVET and Agricultural College students.
What will make an application stand out?
There is no need to turn an application into a collection of impressive-sounding phrases.
The fellowship specifically mentions academic excellence, innovation, creativity and leadership, so applicants should give clear evidence of these qualities rather than simply claiming to possess them.
For example, a student could explain a research project, academic achievement, data-related project, community initiative, leadership responsibility or problem they have worked to solve.
StudyTrust also gives applicants an important warning: application essays should be personally written by the applicant. Its current application guidance says AI may be used to check spelling or grammar, but applicants should not use AI to write their essays because sponsors want to hear the applicant’s own story and voice.
That is worth taking seriously.
Documents to prepare before applying
StudyTrust’s current application platform asks applicants to provide personal information, study information and academic achievement details, as well as family-income information where applicable.
The general document checklist includes:
- Certified South African ID
- Full academic record, including the latest results
- Proof of address where required
- Proof of household income where applicable
- A recent clear head-and-shoulders photograph
Preparing these documents before starting can make the online application process considerably easier.
How to apply for the TFG Data Science and Leadership Fellowship
Applications are completed through StudyTrust’s online application platform.
The current application season runs from 1 June to 30 September 2026, meaning applicants seeking consideration for the 2027 academic year need to submit their application by the stated closing date. StudyTrust also warns that its application platform can become busy as deadlines approach.
Official application information: StudyTrust TFG Data Science and Leadership Fellowship
Students should read the fellowship requirements and StudyTrust’s application instructions before beginning the form.
One final check before you submit
Before applying, ask yourself four straightforward questions:
- Am I a South African citizen?
- Am I pursuing an eligible Master’s-level Data Science or related qualification?
- Is my institution one of the five designated public institutions covered by the fellowship?
- Can I demonstrate academic excellence, innovation, creativity or leadership through my own experience?
If the answer to any of these is unclear, verify it with StudyTrust rather than making an assumption.
The TFG Data Science and Leadership Fellowship is a specialised postgraduate funding opportunity. Its real value for prospective applicants lies in understanding those boundaries: it is not a general bursary, not a TVET funding programme and not automatically available at every university.
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