Applications are now open for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. It is a fully funded scholarship offered by the prominent University of Edinburgh, sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. It is open to prospective young Africans who wish to pursue their Master’s and postgraduate degrees.
Furthermore, this program is divided into various components, including campus-based (on-campus) postgraduate, online postgraduate, and postgraduate diploma programs. Also, it is a golden chance to unlock your potential and showcase your academic performance and alleviate your study burdens.
Available Degree
- Master’s (Postgraduate) Degree
Courses Offered by University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The courses included under the ‘University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’ are as follows:
Online Degree Programmes
- Climate Change Management (Masters route only)
- International Development (Masters route only)
- Global Food Security and Nutrition (Masters or Diploma)
- One Health (Masters or Diploma)
- Social Justice and Community Action (Masters or Diploma)
- Global Health and Infectious Diseases (Masters or Diploma)
- Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health (Masters or Diploma)
- Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics (Masters or Diploma)
- Digital Education (Masters or Diploma)
- Data Science Technologies (Masters route only)
On-campus Postgraduate Programmes
- Africa and International Development
- Climate Change Finance and Investment
- Data, Inequality and Society (while there is the option for students to take this Master’s in a hybrid format, the stipulation for those on a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship and for Tier 4 visa regulations means you will need to undertake the programme in person for the full year)
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Food Security
- Environment and Development
- Environmental Sustainability
- Operational Research (While we are aware of the different specialisation options for this programme (with Risk, Computational Optimisation, and Data Science) our scholarship covers the general Operational Research MSc only)
- Planetary Health
- Sustainable Energy Systems
Note: Applicants cannot apply for courses other than those specified, and the listed courses are subject to change. Therefore, it is recommended to check for updates regularly before proceeding with the application process.
Benefits of the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The University of Edinburgh’s ‘Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program’ offers various benefits designed to provide genuine support throughout your studies. Some of the key benefits available through this program include:
- Applicants will be provided with full tuition fees.
- A dedicated online coordinator will also be appointed.
- Additional support will be provided to learners with disabilities based on an assessment of their needs.
- An educational allowance will be provided to ensure access to a laptop and high-quality internet.
- Applicants will have the opportunity to engage in activities under the University of Edinburgh’s comprehensive ‘Climate Leadership Program’—which includes regular online workshops, online coaching, and support.
- Applicants will have the opportunity to participate in in-person meetings.
- It is also expected that transitional support will be provided.
- Applicants will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Climate Enterprise School,’ a week-long intensive training program focused on sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation.
Eligibility Criteria for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Before considering the application process, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
- You must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed.
- Applicants must be residents and citizens of an African country or hold refugee status there.
- First of all, you must be 35 years of age or younger in the year the programme begins. For the 2027/28 academic year, applicants must have been born on or after January 1, 1992.
- You will have to typically need to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher.
- Applicants will have faced significant obstacles (social, economic, personal, practical, or health-related) during their education and the early stages of their careers.
- Applicants must have completed their undergraduate studies and are required to possess a degree certificate and an official final transcript to upload with their application by November 19, 2026.
- Applicants must demonstrate experience or a background in leadership and service within their community.
- Applicants must demonstrate experience in making a meaningful impact on addressing the climate crisis, or at the very least, a strong determination to do so.
- If applying for a Master’s program: Applicants must not have previously obtained a postgraduate degree; furthermore, while receiving the ‘Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’ scholarship, they must not be enrolled in (or applying for admission to) any other university.
- If you are applying online for the ‘Postgraduate Diploma’: Applicants must hold an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from an African university (this includes those expected to obtain either of these degrees by 19 November 2026). If you hold a postgraduate degree, our admissions team will review the details of your first degree (undergraduate) to verify whether you meet the specific entry criteria for the ‘Postgraduate Diploma’. Additionally, the program will review your postgraduate transcript to verify the date and location of your graduation from the university.
How to Apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
Applicants must follow the steps to apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
- First, check scholarship eligibility and select the degree programme.
- Attend a mandatory virtual information session.
- For on-campus applicants, the available sessions are scheduled for:
- 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
- For online applicants, sessions are scheduled for:
- 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
- Scholarship applications are invited to submit.
Application Timeline
Candidates should ensure that all required information is complete and submitted through the designated online application system before the deadline.
| Date (UK time) | Action |
|---|---|
| 15-24 September 2026 | Prospective applicants must attend a mandatory information session to learn about the eligibility requirements and application process. |
| 13 October 2026 | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applications open – Eligible applicants are invited to apply. Must complete the Applicant Declaration Form by 19th October. |
| 19 October 2026, 5pm | Applicant Declaration Form closes The form may close earlier once we have reached the limit. |
| 19 November 2026, 5pm | Postgraduate Assessment and Scholarship Main Application forms close. |
| End of November until January 2027 | University committees assess all submitted applications |
| Early February 2027 | Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their admission decision to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Edinburgh. |
| Early February 2027 | On-campus applicants invited to interview |
| Mid-February 2027 | Online applicants invited to interview |
| Mid-February to March 2027 | On-campus applicant interviews take place |
| End February to mid-March 2027 | Online applicant interviews take place |
| End of March 2027 | On-campus applicant interview outcomes will be announced |
| End of March 2027 | Online applicant interview outcomes will be announced |
| April to August 2027 | Support provided through admission and immigration process to on-campus applicants |
| April to August 2027 | Support provided for admission processes to online applicants |
| September 2027 | Academic programme starts |
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is 19th November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
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