Deadline: January 2026 (Varies by course of study)

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. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is designed to provide students from under-represented communities in Africa with fully-funded opportunities to complete their master’s training, grow their leadership potential, and contribute to climate resilience and sustainability efforts across Africa.

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.

BENEFITS

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers:

• Course fee
• A monthly living / maintenance allowance 
• Visa application fee, IHS surcharge and an economy return ticket from the student’s home country to the United Kingdom

In addition, Scholars will benefit from:

• A cohort-wide induction programme before the start of the academic year
• Termly leadership training module, which support scholars in thinking about sustainable leadership, and developing collaborative leadership qualities needed to build cross-sector solutions for sustainable development 
• Support to take up a 3-6-month placement in a leading Africa-based organisation
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars will be able to join both the Cambridge University Alumni group and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumni group, where they can continue to draw on and contribute to the community of African scholars

APPLICATION

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 

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. 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

3. 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. 

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE