Apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027/2028. Fully funded postgraduate opportunities for eligible Africans. Main deadline: 19 November 2026.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028 for Africans (Fully Funded Postgraduate Scholarship)
About the Scholarship
Applications are open for the 2027/2028 University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, offering talented young Africans an opportunity to pursue postgraduate education through fully funded on-campus and online scholarship opportunities.
The programme is a partnership between the University of Edinburgh and the Mastercard Foundation. It aims to develop a new generation of skilled, entrepreneurial and socially responsible African leaders who can contribute to solving important challenges facing their communities and the continent.
For the 2027/2028 academic year, the programme offers scholarships for selected master's degree programmes at the University of Edinburgh, as well as online master's and postgraduate diploma programmes.
Beyond financial support, successful scholars will participate in leadership development activities, mentorship, work-based placements and the Climate Leadership Programme.
The initiative particularly welcomes applicants who have experienced significant barriers to education and early-career development but have demonstrated academic potential, leadership abilities and a commitment to creating positive change.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship benefits depend on whether the applicant is selected for an on-campus or online programme.
1. On-Campus Scholarship Benefits
Successful on-campus scholars will receive:
- Full approved tuition fees.
- Accommodation support.
- Travel expenses.
- Living cost stipend.
- Study materials.
- Climate Leadership Programme participation.
- Climate Enterprise School training.
- Additional support for scholars with disabilities, based on assessed needs.
- Support throughout the transition to university life in the UK.
2. Online Scholarship Benefits
Successful online scholars will receive:
- Full approved tuition fees.
- An academic stipend to support access to a laptop and reliable internet.
- Opportunities to participate in an in-person gathering.
- Online workshops, coaching and mentorship.
- Participation in the Climate Leadership Programme.
- Climate Enterprise School training.
- Support from a dedicated Online Coordinator.
- Additional disability support based on assessed needs.
The online programme allows successful applicants to pursue eligible postgraduate studies without relocating to the United Kingdom.
Available Courses and Programmes
The scholarship supports selected postgraduate programmes. Applicants must choose from the approved courses.
On-Campus Master's Programmes
The following programmes are among the eligible on-campus options:
- Food Security
- Sustainable Energy Systems
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Data, Inequality and Society
- Operational Research
- Environmental Sustainability
- Climate Change Finance and Investment
- Environment and Development
- Africa and International Development
- Planetary Health
Programme availability should be checked against the latest official list before applying.
Online Master's and Postgraduate Diploma Programmes
Eligible online programmes include:
- Climate Change Management
- International Development
- Global Food Security and Nutrition
- One Health
- Social Justice and Community Action
- Global Health and Infectious Diseases
- Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health
- Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics
- Digital Education
- Data Science Technologies
- Family Medicine
- Conservation Medicine
Some programmes offer both master's and postgraduate diploma routes, while others are available only as master's degrees.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen and resident of an African country, or hold recognised refugee status in an African country.
- 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.
- Have experienced significant barriers to education or early-career development. These may include social, financial, personal, practical or health-related challenges.
- Demonstrate leadership abilities and a record of service within their communities.
- Demonstrate experience or a strong ambition to make a meaningful contribution towards addressing the climate crisis.
- Meet the academic admission requirements of their selected programme.
- Generally hold the equivalent of a UK Second Class Upper (2:1) bachelor's degree or higher.
Additional Requirements for Master's Applicants
Applicants seeking an on-campus or online master's scholarship must:
- Hold an undergraduate degree from a recognised institution.
- Have their degree certificate and official final academic transcript available by 19 November 2026.
- Not have previously completed a postgraduate degree.
- Not be enrolled at or applying to enrol at another university while receiving the scholarship.
Additional Requirements for Online Postgraduate Diploma Applicants
Applicants for an online postgraduate diploma may apply with either an undergraduate or master's degree from an African university, provided they meet the relevant graduation and documentation requirements.
The programme particularly encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, refugees and displaced persons.
How to Apply
The application process for the 2027/2028 programme has changed. Applicants must follow a structured selection process before they can access the main scholarship application.
Important: The scholarship is currently accepting applications only from eligible candidates who were invited to apply after attending the mandatory information sessions.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Visit the official University of Edinburgh scholarship website and carefully review the eligibility requirements.
Ensure that you meet the age, nationality, academic, leadership and financial or educational disadvantage criteria.
Step 2: Attend the Mandatory Information Session
Prospective applicants were required to attend one of the virtual information sessions held between 15 and 24 September 2026.
Attendance was mandatory to be considered for an invitation to apply.
Step 3: Receive an Invitation to Apply
Eligible information-session participants were notified about their application invitations through the scholarship application platform.
Only candidates who attended a session and met the programme requirements could proceed.
Step 4: Complete the Applicant Declaration
Invited applicants must complete the Applicant Declaration and Postgraduate Eligibility Assessment.
The declaration stage is required to confirm eligibility before proceeding to the main application.
Step 5: Submit the Main Scholarship Application
Applicants who successfully complete the initial assessment are invited to submit the main scholarship application.
This includes providing academic information, personal statements and other supporting details requested by the programme.
Ensure that all required documents are submitted before the closing date.
Official Application Portal: https://mcfspedinburgh.smapply.io/
Application Deadline
The main application deadline for the 2027/2028 University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is:
19 November 2026 at 5:00 PM GMT.
However, the earlier Applicant Declaration and Postgraduate Eligibility Assessment stage has its own deadline. According to the current application portal, applicants must complete this stage by 13 November 2026 at 5:00 PM GMT.
Only candidates who successfully complete the earlier stage can proceed to the main application.
The programme is expected to begin in September 2027.
Important Notice
This scholarship is highly competitive and is not available to every international applicant.
For the 2027/2028 application cycle, attending a mandatory information session and receiving an invitation to apply are essential requirements.
Applicants who did not attend the required information sessions cannot simply register on the main application portal and submit a new application.
The university also advises applicants to apply for the scholarship first rather than submitting a separate degree admission application at this stage. Successful scholarship candidates will subsequently receive instructions on applying for their selected academic programmes.
For accurate information, always consult the University of Edinburgh's official scholarship website.
Official Scholarship Website: https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program
Application Portal: https://mcfspedinburgh.smapply.io/
Enquiries: mcfsp@ed.ac.uk
