University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is enabling outstanding African students to undertake a master’s degree and grow their leadership skills at one of the world’s top universities. Much more than a scholarship, the programme helps young people fulfil their academic potential and lays the foundations for a meaningful, fulfilling career.

• Table of Content
• About MasterCard Foundation
• University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Master's Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Master's Scholarship
• Requirements for University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Master's Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Master's Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Master's Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Master's Scholarship

The Scholarship aim to cover everything you need to pursue your master’s and get the most out of your time in Cambridge, including:

• Course fee
• Maintenance / living allowance
• Visa and health surcharge
• Travel inc. flights and taxi into Cambridge
• Laptop

Requirements for University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Master's Scholarship Qualification

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.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education. Women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Interview date, Process and Venue for University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Master's Scholarship

Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Before getting started

• Use the postgraduate course directory to find the course you want to apply for, then check its entry requirements, funding deadline and the supporting documents you’ll need: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses
• Navigate to the 'Requirements' tab and click on the link to check if the degree you currently hold meets Cambridge’s postgraduate academic entry requirements using the international qualifications checker.

1. Start your course application

Open your chosen course's profile in the postgraduate course directory and click 'Apply Now'. Create an account to save and return to your application later.

2. Apply for an application fee waiver (if required to do so)

Once you’ve opened your application, you can apply for an application fee waiver.  

All Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applicants are eligible for the application fee waiver if you meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen course.

If your country is listed below, the application fee will be waived automatically when you submit your application – you do not need to take any action.

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania (United Rep. of), Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.

If your country does not appear on this list, you must submit an application fee request form using the link below, attaching copies of your transcript and passport:

Application Fee Waiver Form

Please complete the form as early as possible, and by the deadline of 18 November 2026. 

3. Apply for funding

During your application, opt in for funding to view eligible options. If you meet your chosen course's entry requirements, you'll be able to select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Write your 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

4. Complete and submit your application

• Submit your application by the course’s funding deadline – usually early December or January, earlier than the standard 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. 

5. Departments select successful applicants

• Departments select applicants on a rolling basis, with offers made between December and February. Selection is based on your course application and not your scholarship statement.
• Some departments interview shortlisted candidates before making an offer.

6. Selection for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• The team reviews applicants who have been offered a place on their chosen course and selects scholars based on both the course application and scholarship statement.
• Offer letters are sent in late March or early April.

7. Submit any outstanding documents

If successful, submit any outstanding documents by 31 July. This will usually include IELTS test results. The score required by most courses is either 7.0 or 7.5 overall but it's important to check your course's language requirements.

(You can apply without IELTS results. If your application is successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer).

For more Information, visit University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholarship webpage