The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are now open.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge enables talented young Africans to pursue a master’s degree and grow their leadership potential at one of the world’s leading universities.
Much more than a fully-funded scholarship, it’s a life-changing experience that helps young people fulfil their academic potential and lays the foundations for a rewarding, meaningful career.
More than 500 students will be enrolled in the programme by 2030, undertaking a wide range of master’s courses and all committed to driving sustainable change in Africa and beyond.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education. Women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria include:
- Outstanding intellectual ability.
- A desire and commitment to contribute to climate resilient and sustainable futures for Africa and the world at large
- Leadership potential.
Prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars can apply to most courses available at the University of Cambridge.
- In order to address the climate crisis, a range of expertise is required across scientific/STEM disciplines, the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
- This is the purpose of the multi-disciplinary approach of this Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge, you must:1. Have a bachelor’s degree.
2. Meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen course. Some courses require the equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree and others an upper second-class degree. Please use the postgraduate study course directory to check your course’s entry requirements.
3. Be from, and live in, an African country. You can apply if you’re temporarily living outside of Africa for study or work.
4. Apply for an eligible course. This can be any full-time master’s excluding:
- Master of Accountancy (MACC)
- Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Corporate Law (MCL)
- Master of Finance (MFIN)
5. Demonstrate a commitment to giving back to your community, home country or Africa more generally, and to the themes of sustainability and climate resilience.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education. Women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
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What we Offer
The programme covers full tuition costs, a monthly maintenance allowance and a laptop. Other costs covered include visa application fees, International Health Surcharge, and travel costs.
Deadline
- Stage: Applications open
Date: 10 September 2025 - Stage: Application and Funding deadline
Date: Early December 2025 or Early January 2026 (depending on your course) - Stage: Departmental academic selection
Date: December 2025 – February 2026 - Stage: Mastercard Foundation Scholars selection
Date: Late February – Early March 2026 - Stage: Scholarships offered
Date: March / April 2026
How To Apply
Application Process
To be eligible for a scholarship offer, students are required to secure an admission from the relevant department. The Application process commences with an application for admission to the University of Cambridge via the course directory, to be completed by the funding deadline (which will be either the 5th December or 5th January depending on the course):-Â https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses.
Applicants should ensure that they meet the academic requirements of selected courses. If the academic requirements for a course are not met, students will not qualify for the application fee waiver.
As part of the application process, prospective scholars will be required to provide a supplementary statement that indicates their personal commitment to contributing to climate-resilience and sustainable futures for Africa.
Detailed information about the application process is available on the programme website which can be accessed at https://www.mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk/.
Before getting started
- Use the postgraduate course directory to check your course’s entry requirements, funding deadline and the supporting documents you’ll need: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses
- Check if your degree meets Cambridge’s academic entry requirements using the international qualifications checker: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-qualifications
- Check if you’re eligible for an automatic application fee waiver from the university: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/application-fee-waiver
If you are not eligible for a university fee waiver, you can request a fee waiver from the programme after starting your course application. A fee waiver will only be approved if you meet the academic entry requirement of your chosen course.
1. Start your course application via the postgraduate course directory.
Open your chosen course’s profile in the postgraduate course directory and click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll be asked to create an account, allowing you to save and return to your application later.
2. If required to do so, submit your application fee waiver request
You can request a fee waiver if you’re an African student and you’re not from one of the countries listed on the Application fee waiver page. You must meet your chosen course’s eligibility requirements.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Fee Waiver Request Form
The deadline for the submission of fee waiver request is the 15th of November. You’ll be contacted by email with a decision. If your request is granted, you will not be asked to pay the fee to submit your application.
3. Apply for funding
During your application, you’ll be asked if you’d like to opt in for funding. Once you do so, you’ll see all the funds you may be eligible for, and if you meet your chosen course’s entry requirements, you’ll be able to select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program from the list.
You’ll then be asked to submit a scholarship statement focusing on:
- Your career / education history
- Leadership potential
- How the scholarship will help you achieve your goals and aspirations
- How you hope to contribute to sustainable futures in Africa
4. Complete and submit your application
Your application must be submitted by your course’s funding deadline. This is usually at the beginning of December or January and is much earlier than the standard application deadline.
You’ll also be asked to choose a College – this is where you’ll live, eat and have small group teaching sessions.
Find out about the University’s 31 Colleges and how to choose one.
5. Departments select successful applicants
The department your course belongs to selects successful applicants on a rolling basis and offers are made between December and February. Selection is based on your course application and not your scholarship statement.
Some departments interview shortlisted applicants (by phone, video conference or in-person) before a formal offer is made.
6. Selection by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team
The team reviews all applications from candidates that have received an offer from their department. Mastercard Foundation Scholars are selected based on both their course application and scholarship statement. Offer letters are typically sent in March or April.
7. Post offer – submit any outstanding documents
After receiving an offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you’ll have until 31 July to submit any outstanding documents. This will usually include evidence of English proficiency in the form of IELTS test results. The score required by most courses is either 7.0 or 7.5 overall.
You can apply without IELTS results. If your application is successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer and we can support you with study materials and cover any costs associated with taking the test.
Please note that data relating to your Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application will be anonymised and retained for use in evaluating the programme’s outcomes and effectiveness.
