University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The University of Edinburgh has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation since 2016. Phase One benefited 240 scholars from 26 African countries across 13 schools. Phase Two (2023–2030) expands this impact, targeting young people with great academic and leadership potential who have overcome significant barriers to education.

Key features of the programme:

• Fully funded — Tuition, accommodation, travel, living stipend, and study materials

• Climate justice focus — All programmes align with addressing the climate crisis

• Three formats — On-campus Master's, part-time online Master's, and part-time online Postgraduate Diploma

• Leadership development — Climate leadership programme and Climate Enterprise School

• 850 scholarships — Across the entire Phase Two period

• African-focused — Open to citizens, residents, and refugees of African countries

Related: Learn more about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Successful Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive:

• Full approved tuition — 100% of programme fees

• Accommodation — For on-campus scholars

• Travel costs — Return flights and visa support

• Living cost stipend — Monthly allowance for personal expenses

• Study materials — Books and academic resources

• Climate leadership programme — Training to inspire and support scholars in making change in their communities and countries

• Climate Enterprise School — Intensive week-long programme in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation

• Additional disability support — Based on an individual assessment of needs

• Transitions support — Career and reintegration support upon graduation

For the scholarship application, you will typically need:

• Degree certificate — Official final undergraduate degree certificate

• Official final transcript — From your undergraduate institution

• CV / Resume

• Personal statements and essays — As required in the main application

• Reference letters — Uploaded as part of the online application

• Any additional documents — As requested during the application process

Tip: Ensure your degree certificate and final transcript are ready to upload by 19 November 2026. Applications without these documents will be incomplete.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Academic merit: Must qualify for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed. Generally requires the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor's (Hons) degree or higher

• Barriers faced: Must have faced significant barriers to education and in early career (social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related)

• Graduation status: Must have graduated from undergraduate study and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload by 19 November 2026

• Citizenship: Must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in an African country (including North Africa)

• Leadership: Must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community

• Climate commitment: Must demonstrate experience or ambition in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis

• Age: Must be 35 or under the year the programme commences. For 2027/28, applicants must be born on or after 1 January 1992. Anyone born in 1991 or earlier is not eligible

Master's applicants:

• Must not have previously completed a postgraduate degree

• Must not be enrolled (or applying to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the scholarship

Online Postgraduate Diploma applicants:

• Can have either an undergraduate or Master's degree from an African university, provided they will graduate by 19 November 2026

• If you hold a Master's degree, admissions will review your first (undergraduate) degree to meet the diploma entry requirement

Encouraged applicants:

• Women

• People from refugee and displaced backgrounds

• People with disabilities

The application process for 2027/28 has changed. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1 — Check Eligibility: Review the eligibility criteria and confirm you meet all requirements before registering for an information session.

Step 2 — Choose a Programme: Decide whether you want an on-campus or online degree and select one of the eligible programmes listed above.

Step 3 — Attend a Mandatory Virtual Information Session: Register and attend one of the sessions below. This is a mandatory step to gain access to the scholarship application form. You will complete a short questionnaire when registering to assess preliminary eligibility.

• On-campus sessions:

  • 15 September 2026 at 3:00 p.m. UK time

  • 21 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m. UK time

  • 24 September 2026 at 4:00 p.m. UK time

• Online sessions:

  • 17 September 2026 at 4:00 p.m. UK time

  • 22 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m. UK time

  • 24 September 2026 at 3:00 p.m. UK time

Step 4 — Receive Invitation: On 13 October 2026, eligible attendees will be notified whether they are invited to apply. Invitations are sent through SurveyMonkey Apply.

Step 5 — Stage 1: Applicant Declaration Form: If invited, complete the form as soon as possible. Deadline: 19 October 2026, 5:00 p.m. UK time. The form may close earlier if the application limit is reached.

Step 6 — Stage 2: Scholarship Main Application: Successful Stage 1 applicants are invited to complete the main application. Deadline: 19 November 2026, 5:00 p.m. UK time.

Step 7 — Wait for Assessment: University committees assess applications from end of November 2026 through January 2027.

Step 8 — Interview: If successful, you will be invited to interview:

• On-campus applicants: early February to mid-March 2027

• Online applicants: mid-February to mid-March 2027

Step 9 — Outcome Notification: End of March 2027.

Step 10 — Apply for Degree Programme: If you receive a scholarship offer in March 2027, you will then be invited to apply for your chosen degree programme through the University's standard admissions process.

Important: Do not apply for your degree programme at the University until you are invited after receiving a scholarship offer. The Programme will not accept applications submitted outside the online application system.