Deadline: November 8, 2024.

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. Their Program is dedicated to nurturing a community of talented, entrepreneurial, and compassionate leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa.

They 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.

ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS

 They offer scholarships for the following online degree programmes ONLY:

1. International Development (Masters route only)
2. Global Food Security and Nutrition (Masters or Diploma)
3. Global Challenges (Masters or Diploma)
4. Carbon Management (Masters route only)
5. One Health (Masters or Diploma)
6. Circular Economy (Masters or Diploma)
7. Sustainable Lands and Cities (Masters or Diploma)
8. Social Justice and Community Action (Masters or Diploma)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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.

Postgraduate entry requirements

• 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 8 November 2024.
• Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.
• Applicants must have faced barriers to education and 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 2025/26 academic year, we accept applications from those born on or after 1 January 1990. Anyone born in 1989 and prior is not eligible. 
• 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 a Sub-Saharan African university (provided they will graduate from either degree by 8 November 2024). 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. 
• They particularly welcome applications from female Scholars, Scholars from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and Scholars with disabilities (see FAQs below for further information) 

BENEIFTS

• Covers full approved tuition fees: scholars will not pay for any part of the tuition fees.
• Academic stipend to allow for access to high-quality internet, and laptop.
• The opportunity to attend an in-person gathering.
• Participation in activities as part of the wider Climate Leadership Programme at the University of Edinburgh, including regular online workshops, online coaching and support.
• A dedicated Online Coordinator
• Additional support is offered to Scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs.

APPLICATION

You must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh. We require that applicants apply for this Program before applying to the University. 

The Program will not accept applications submitted outside the online application system.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL LINK