Mastercard Foundation

Fully funded

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh

Mastercard Foundation, United Kingdom

Scholarship overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh funds talented young Africans who have faced barriers to education to study for a postgraduate degree focused on climate and sustainability. The University and the Mastercard Foundation have worked in partnership since 2016. Phase One (2016-2023) supported 240 Scholars from 26 African countries.

Phase Two runs from 2023 to 2030 and will offer 850 postgraduate scholarships to African students. Its aim is to build a community of skilled, entrepreneurial and justice-oriented climate leaders from across Africa.

On-campus Scholars study a one-year full-time taught Master's in Edinburgh. Eligible programmes are Food Security; Sustainable Energy Systems; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Data, Inequality and Society; Operational Research; Environmental Sustainability; Climate Change Finance and Investment; Environment and Development; International Development; and the Master of Public Health (subject to change). The Program also offers three-year part-time online Master's and two-year part-time online Postgraduate Diploma scholarships, which are studied from home.

Women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Award Information

  • Be a resident and citizen of an African country, or hold refugee status in an African country.
  • Qualify academically for admission to an eligible University of Edinburgh programme, generally with the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor's (Hons) degree or higher.
  • Have graduated from undergraduate study, with a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload by 19 November 2026.
  • Be 35 or under in the year the programme starts: for 2027/28, born on or after 1 January 1992.
  • Have faced significant barriers to education and in your early career (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).
  • Show a track record of leadership and service in your community.
  • Show experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact on the climate crisis.
  • Master's applicants: must not have completed a postgraduate degree, and must not be enrolled or applying to enrol at another university while holding the scholarship.
  • Online Postgraduate Diploma applicants may hold an undergraduate or Master's degree from an African university, graduating by 19 November 2026.
  • Attend a mandatory virtual information session; only eligible attendees are invited to apply.

On-campus Master's scholarship

  • Full approved tuition.
  • Accommodation.
  • Travel.
  • Living cost stipend.
  • Study materials.
  • A Climate Leadership Programme.
  • The Climate Enterprise School, a week-long programme in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation.
  • Extra support for Scholars with disabilities, based on an assessment of needs.
  • Transitions support.

2027/28 timeline (UK time)

  • 15-24 September 2026: mandatory virtual information sessions (all sessions are fully booked).
  • 20 October 2026: eligible attendees invited to apply.
  • 26 October 2026, 5pm: Applicant Declaration Form closes (it may close earlier once the limit is reached).
  • 19 November 2026, 5pm: Postgraduate Assessment and Scholarship Main Application forms close.
  • End of November 2026 to January 2027: committees assess applications.
  • Early February 2027: decisions; on-campus applicants invited to interview.
  • Mid-February to March 2027: on-campus interviews. End of March 2027: interview outcomes.
  • April to August 2027: admission and immigration support.
  • September 2027: programmes start.
  1. Check the eligibility criteria.
  2. Choose an on-campus or online programme from the eligible list.
  3. Register for and attend a mandatory virtual information session, completing the short eligibility questionnaire.
  4. If invited on 20 October 2026, complete the Applicant Declaration Form on SurveyMonkey Apply by 26 October 2026, 5pm UK time.
  5. If you pass that stage, complete the Scholarship Main Application by 19 November 2026, 5pm UK time.
  6. Apply only for the scholarship at this stage. If you receive a scholarship offer in March 2027, apply for your degree through the University's standard admissions process. You may apply to the University earlier if another scholarship requires it.
  7. If invited, attend an interview.

Official links

Documents you will need

  • Undergraduate degree certificate.
  • Official final transcript.
  • Applicant Declaration Form.
  • Scholarship Main Application and Postgraduate Assessment forms.

How selection works

  • Academic merit that qualifies for admission to the University of Edinburgh.
  • Track record as a transformative leader and of service in the community.
  • Quality of the application in line with the Program's theme of climate justice.
  • Potential impact on the development of the applicant's home country.
  • Significant barriers to education faced by the applicant.

Shortlisted on-campus applicants are interviewed between mid-February and March 2027.

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