Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh (UofE) in United Kingdom

Postgraduate Scholarship On-campus and Online 2026/27

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh will provide postgraduate on-campus (Master’s) and online scholarships (Master’s & Postgraduate Diplomas) to students from Africa with proven academic and leadership potential who have access to few educational opportunities.

In addition to the scholarship, Scholars will participate in activities as part of the wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh, including work-based placements, mentorships, and other activities during the academic year.

Scholarship applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now open.

Applying for an on-campus scholarship

We recruit exceptional young people with great academic and leadership experience who have overcome barriers to their education and are committed to pursuing their studies on-campus.

Opens

14 Oct 2025 10:00 (BST)

Deadline

21 Nov 2025 17:00 (GMT)

Nurturing climate leaders

All Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the University of Edinburgh will participate in a Climate Leadership Programme.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program aims to make a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis.

Our Program is dedicated to nurturing a community of talented, entrepreneurial, and compassionate leaders from across Africa.

We empower young people with the necessary knowledge, skills, and networks to drive sustainable transitions by offering a range of exceptional sustainability-focused postgraduate opportunities through the Program at the University of Edinburgh.

Covered in this program

• Tuition
• Books
• Monthly stipend (e.g. food allowance)
• Housing
• Travel costs to the third country
• Additional support is offered to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs.

Eligibility

Find out about the eligibility criteria to apply to our on-campus and online postgraduate scholarships.Eligibility

Find out about the eligibility criteria to apply to our on-campus and online postgraduate scholarships.

You must meet the eligibility criteria to apply:

• Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed. You will generally need to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher. 

Find out more about the postgraduate entry requirements for your country:

• Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).
• Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 21 November 2025.
• Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in an African country (including North Africa).
• Applicants must have faced barriers to education and in their early career.
• Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.
• Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis
• Applicants must be 35 or under the year the programme commences. Therefore, for the 2026/27 academic year, we accept applications from those born on or after 1 January 1991. Anyone born in 1990 and prior is not eligible.
• Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.
• If applying for the online Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or applying to enrol) at a separate university.
• If applying for the online Postgraduate Diploma: Applicants can either have an undergraduate or Masters degree from an African university (provided they will graduate from either degree by 21 November 2025). If you have a Masters degree, our admissions team will review your first degree (undergraduate) to meet the postgraduate diploma entry requirement. The Program will review your Masters degree transcripts to confirm your university’s graduation date and location.
• We encourage applications from women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

What is the Mastercard Foundation?

The Mastercard Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the world, with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work.

Office Locations

We have offices in Toronto, Canada, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Accra, Ghana, Nairobi, Kenya, Lagos, Nigeria, Kigali, Rwanda, Dakar, Senegal (covering the WAEMU region), and Kampala, Uganda.

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