The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028 at the University of Edinburgh is offering fully funded postgraduate scholarship opportunities to talented African students who want to continue their education in the United Kingdom or through eligible online programmes.
The scholarship supports academically talented young Africans who have experienced significant barriers to education and early career development. It is designed for students with strong leadership abilities, community involvement and a commitment to addressing climate change.
For the 2027/2028 academic year, the programme offers on-campus Master’s scholarships, online Master’s scholarships and online postgraduate diploma opportunities.
Successful applicants can receive financial support towards tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and other eligible study-related costs.
However, interested applicants should pay close attention to the application process because the university introduced mandatory information sessions and an invitation-based application system for the 2027/2028 admission cycle.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028 – Overview
| Scholarship details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| Host university | University of Edinburgh |
| Study destination | United Kingdom |
| Academic session | 2027/2028 |
| Study level | Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma |
| Scholarship type | Fully funded |
| Eligible applicants | African students |
| Study options | On-campus and online |
| Scholarship deadline | 19 November 2026 |
| Programme starts | September 2027 |
| Official application | Apply through the University of Edinburgh |
About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the University of Edinburgh. It aims to support talented young Africans who have the potential to become leaders and contribute to the development of their communities.
The programme focuses on building a generation of skilled, entrepreneurial and climate-conscious African leaders.
Through this scholarship, selected students can access postgraduate education and professional development opportunities that may otherwise be financially difficult to obtain.
For the 2027/2028 academic year, the University of Edinburgh is offering different study options, allowing eligible applicants to choose between studying on campus in Scotland or pursuing approved online programmes.
The scholarship is particularly suitable for African graduates who have faced financial, social, personal or other barriers to education and want to use their education to make a positive difference.
What Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Cover?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides comprehensive financial assistance. However, the exact benefits depend on the type of scholarship awarded.
On-campus Master’s scholarship
Successful on-campus scholars can receive:
- Full university tuition fees.
- Accommodation support.
- Living expenses.
- Travel support.
- Immigration and visa-related assistance.
- Academic guidance and mentorship.
- Leadership development and professional opportunities.
The funding is designed to help successful scholars concentrate on their studies without carrying the full financial cost of studying in the UK.
Online Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma scholarships
Students selected for eligible online programmes also receive scholarship support towards their studies.
The programme provides financial assistance for eligible tuition costs, alongside academic support and leadership development opportunities.
Applicants should consult the official programme information to confirm the precise funding arrangements for their selected online course.
Eligibility Requirements for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028
To qualify for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh, applicants must meet the academic, personal and programme-specific requirements.
The main eligibility conditions include:
1. Nationality and residency
Applicants must be citizens and residents of an African country or hold refugee status in an African country.
This includes applicants from countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa.
2. Academic qualifications
Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree and possess their official degree certificate and final academic transcript.
Generally, candidates must meet the University of Edinburgh’s academic admission requirements, usually equivalent to at least a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree (2:1) or higher, depending on the selected programme.
3. Age requirement
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger in the year the programme begins.
For the 2027/2028 academic year, applicants must have been born on or after 1 January 1992.
Anyone born in 1991 or earlier does not meet this age requirement.
4. Financial or educational barriers
The programme is designed for applicants who have experienced significant barriers to education or early career development.
These barriers may include:
- Financial difficulties.
- Social challenges.
- Personal circumstances.
- Health-related challenges.
- Practical difficulties accessing education.
5. Leadership and community involvement
Applicants should demonstrate a strong record of leadership and service within their communities.
Examples may include volunteering, community development projects, social initiatives, youth leadership and activities that have positively affected other people.
6. Commitment to addressing climate change
Applicants must demonstrate previous experience or a genuine ambition to make a meaningful contribution towards addressing the climate crisis.
Their academic interests and future career plans should show how they intend to contribute to sustainable development and climate-related solutions.
7. Previous postgraduate qualifications
For applicants applying for a Master’s scholarship, candidates must not have previously completed a postgraduate degree.
They must also not be enrolled or applying to enrol at another university while receiving the scholarship.
Important exception for postgraduate diploma applicants: Candidates applying for an eligible online Postgraduate Diploma may qualify with either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from an African university, subject to the programme’s graduation and admission requirements.
Application Deadline for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028
The official deadline for submitting the main scholarship application is:
19 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
However, the university has introduced a multi-stage application process for the 2027/2028 academic year.
Applicants were required to attend a mandatory virtual information session between 15 and 24 September 2026.
Eligible attendees were then expected to receive invitations to apply from 20 October 2026.
The next stage was the Applicant Declaration Form, which closed on 26 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
Only applicants who received an invitation and successfully completed the declaration stage can proceed to the main scholarship application.
Therefore, the 19 November deadline is not an open application deadline for everyone.
How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028
The application process involves several stages.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Before proceeding, review the official eligibility requirements to confirm that you meet the nationality, age, academic and other conditions.
Step 2: Review the available study programmes
Explore the eligible on-campus Master’s, online Master’s and postgraduate diploma programmes offered under the scholarship.
Step 3: Attend the mandatory information session
Applicants were required to attend one of the virtual information sessions held between 15 and 24 September 2026.
Attendance was compulsory to qualify for an invitation to apply.
Step 4: Receive an invitation to apply
Eligible information-session attendees were scheduled to receive their application invitations from 20 October 2026 through the university’s application system.
Step 5: Complete the Applicant Declaration Form
Invited candidates were required to complete the Applicant Declaration Form by 26 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
Applicants who successfully passed this stage could proceed to the main scholarship application.
Step 6: Submit the main scholarship application
Eligible candidates who passed the declaration stage must complete and submit the main scholarship application by 19 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
The application includes questions about the applicant’s personal background, academic experience, leadership activities and future ambitions.
Applicants should prepare their final degree certificate and official academic transcript because these documents are required.
Direct Application Link for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Interested applicants should use the official University of Edinburgh website to access the scholarship information and application instructions.
Official scholarship application instructions:
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship/how-to-apply
Online application portal:
https://mcfspedinburgh.smapply.io/
Official eligibility requirements:
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship/eligibility
Official application timeline:
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship/application-timelines
Important: The application portal is invitation-based for this admission cycle. Simply visiting the portal does not guarantee access to the scholarship application.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028 fully funded?
Yes. The programme provides comprehensive scholarship support. On-campus scholars can receive tuition, accommodation, living expenses and other eligible support. Funding arrangements differ for online scholars.
2. Can Nigerian students apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?
Yes. Nigerian citizens who meet the African residency, academic, age, leadership and other eligibility requirements can qualify. However, they must also have completed the mandatory information-session and invitation process.
3. What is the age limit for the 2027/2028 Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger when the programme begins. For the 2027/2028 academic year, candidates must have been born on or after 1 January 1992.
4. Can I apply without attending the information session?
No. Attendance at one of the mandatory September 2026 virtual information sessions was required to receive an invitation to apply for the 2027/2028 scholarship.
5. Can I apply if I already have a Master’s degree?
Applicants seeking a Master’s scholarship must not have previously completed a postgraduate degree. However, applicants for the eligible online Postgraduate Diploma may qualify with a Master’s degree from an African university, subject to the programme’s requirements.
6. When will successful applicants be notified?
The university plans to notify applicants of their admission decisions in early February 2027. Shortlisted on-campus and online applicants will subsequently be invited for interviews.
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