Deadline: October 19, 2026.

The University of Edinburgh recruit exceptional young people with great academic and leadership experience who have overcome barriers to their education and are committed to pursuing their postgraduate taught (PGT) studies on-campus.
 
Scholars will pursue a one year full-time postgraduate taught Master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh, studying in person and becoming part of the University’s academic and student community. Scholars live and study in Edinburgh and receive scholarship support to enable them to complete their degree.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. 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.
2. Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education and in their early career (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).
3. Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 19 November 2026.
4. Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in an African country.
5. Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.
6. Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis
7. Applicants must be 35 or under the year the programme commences. Therefore, for the 2027/28 academic year, we accept applications from those born on or after 1 January 1992. Anyone born in 1991 and prior is not eligible.
8. If applying for a Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or applying to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.
9. 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 19th November 2026). 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.
10. They encourage applications from women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

BENEFITS

The on-campus scholarship provides:

• full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, living cost stipend and study materials
• a climate leadership programme to inspire and support scholars in making change in their communities and countries
• participation in the Climate Enterprise School, an intensive week-long programme of training in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
• additional support to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs
• transitions support.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:

• academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admissions to the University of Edinburgh 
• track record as a transformative leader and service within their community
• quality of application in line with the Program’s theme of climate justice
• potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country
• applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related)

APPLICATION

1. Step 1: Check your eligibility: Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements before registering for an information session
2. Step 2: Explore our degree programmes: Review the available on-campus and online degree programmes and decide which study mode and programme you would prefer. (On-campus degree programmes) & (Online degree programmes).
3. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will host virtual information sessions between 15 and 24 September 2026. Attending an information session is a mandatory step to gain access to the scholarship application form. When you register for a session, you will complete a short questionnaire. Your responses will be reviewed to assess your preliminary eligibility. Please note: Attending an information session does not guarantee an invitation to apply. Only attendees who also meet the scholarship eligibility requirements will receive an invitation to apply.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE