Published: 11 Sep 2025 1,204 views
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.
The Mastercard Foundation is an international non-governmental organization established by Mastercard in 2006. The organization, which is based in Toronto, Ontario, has supported work in 49 countries.In 2018, Mastercard Foundation shifted to a specific focus on Africa, through its Young Africa Works strategy. The foundation develops programs primarily focused on reducing gender and economic inequality, expanding access to quality education, increasing the opportunities for decent work, and supporting overall economic growth.Funding is primaril... continue reading
| Application Deadline | Not Specified |
| Country to study | United Kingdom |
| School to study | University of Cambridge |
| Type | Postgraduate |
| Sponsor | MasterCard Foundation |
| Gender | Men and Women |
Every scholar will benefit from the highest calibre of academic training in their specific discipline, including mentorship support. This will enable them to make the connection between their course of study and the broad action and research agenda, contributing to the overall goal of climate resilience and sustainability in Africa and the world at large.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers:
In addition, Scholars will benefit from:
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:
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.
Selection criteria include:
Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026
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
Check if you’re eligible for an automatic application fee waiver from the university: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/application-fee-waiver
If you are not eligible for a university fee waiver, you can request a fee waiver from the programme after starting your course application. A fee waiver will only be approved if you meet the academic entry requirement of your chosen course.
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.
If required to do so, submit your application fee waiver request
You can request a fee waiver if you’re an African student and you’re not from one of the countries listed on the Application fee waiver page. You must meet your chosen course’s eligibility requirements.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Fee Waiver Request Form
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:
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.
Find out about the University’s 31 Colleges and how to choose one.
For more details, visit University of Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship webpage
