The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (UCT) 2027 is open to eligible young Africans seeking undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities. The program supports academically talented students facing significant social and economic barriers and offers opportunities across Commerce, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT 2027
Applications are now open for the 2027 intake of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (UCT). The program is designed for academically talented young people from Africa who face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education.
More than a conventional scholarship, the program combines access to higher education with leadership development, skills development and community engagement. Selected Scholars become part of a wider network of young African leaders committed to creating positive and lasting change.
According to the University of Cape Town, the program is available to students applying for their first bachelor’s degree or eligible postgraduate programs, including selected postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees and coursework master’s programs.
What the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Offers
The program is designed to provide more than financial assistance. It aims to help Scholars access a world-class education while developing their leadership potential and preparing for meaningful contributions to their communities.
The University of Cape Town describes the program as a community that enables young people to:
- Pursue higher education at UCT
- Develop ethical and transformative leadership skills
- Build skills needed for the world of work
- Connect with a lifelong network of changemakers
- Use their education and skills to contribute to their communities
The program therefore combines academic opportunity with leadership and community-focused development.
Who Can Apply?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT is intended for applicants who meet the program’s academic, financial and leadership-related criteria.
Applicants should:
- Be citizens of an African country, including South Africa.
- Be applying for their first bachelor’s degree or an eligible taught postgraduate program at UCT.
- Demonstrate academic talent and commitment to excellence.
- Face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education.
- Demonstrate potential for transformative and ethical leadership.
- Be committed to serving their communities and contributing to positive change.
The selection criteria place emphasis on both academic potential and the applicant’s circumstances and commitment to community development.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Study Opportunities
The scholarship is available to students pursuing selected undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities at UCT.
For postgraduate applicants, eligible programs include:
- A postgraduate diploma offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences
- An honours degree offered by any of UCT’s six faculties
- A coursework master’s program offered by any of UCT’s six faculties
The program does not cover part-time studies or qualifications by research only, including master’s degrees by dissertation or PhD programs.
Applicants should therefore carefully confirm that their intended qualification falls within the eligible categories before applying.
Fields of Study
Eligible opportunities are available across UCT’s major academic faculties.
The listed fields include:
Commerce
Students interested in business, economics, finance and related disciplines can explore eligible programs within Commerce.
Engineering and the Built Environment
The program also provides opportunities for eligible studies in engineering and built environment disciplines.
Health Sciences
Health-related academic opportunities are included, with the program specifically identifying an eligible postgraduate diploma pathway through the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Humanities
Students pursuing eligible humanities programs may also be considered.
Law
Law is among the six faculties identified by UCT for eligible study opportunities.
Science
The Science faculty is also included among the areas covered by the program.
Applicants should check the specific UCT academic program and Mastercard Foundation eligibility requirements before submitting their applications.
Who Does the Program Seek to Support?
The program emphasizes access and inclusion, particularly for young people whose educational opportunities have been affected by social or economic barriers.
UCT encourages applications from:
- Young women
- People living with disabilities
- Refugees
- Forcibly displaced youth
- Young people whose access to opportunity has been restricted by social and economic barriers
This inclusion focus reflects the program’s broader objective of expanding access to higher education and developing a diverse community of future African leaders.
Important Application Deadlines
Applicants should pay close attention to the deadline corresponding to their intended level of study.
For applicants seeking admission to a UCT bachelor’s degree, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application deadline is:
30 September 2026
For applicants applying for an eligible postgraduate diploma in the Faculty of Health Sciences, honours degree or master’s program, the deadline is:
31 October 2026
These deadlines relate to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application. Applicants should also complete the required UCT academic application process.
How to Apply
The application process involves multiple steps.
Step 1: Review UCT Study Options
Applicants should first review the University of Cape Town’s information for applicants and students to identify an appropriate eligible academic program.
Step 2: Apply to the University of Cape Town
Applicants must submit their academic application through the University’s application system.
Apply to the University of Cape Town
Step 3: Submit the Mastercard Foundation Application
Applicants must then submit their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application through UCT’s dedicated program platform.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT
Applicants should ensure that all required information is completed accurately and submitted before the applicable deadline.
Additional Development Opportunities
The University of Cape Town also notes that opportunities are available through other development programs.
Students admitted to the Integrated Master’s Programme through the African Climate & Development Initiative and the Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) initiative via the Africa Health Collaborative may be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
This creates additional possibilities for students pursuing development-related academic and professional pathways.
Why This Scholarship Is Important
Access to higher education can be challenging for talented students who face substantial financial and social barriers. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program addresses this challenge by combining educational access with leadership development and community engagement.
For eligible African students, the opportunity can provide a pathway to study at one of Africa’s leading universities while becoming part of a broader network focused on positive social transformation.
However, applicants should not assume that meeting the basic eligibility requirements guarantees selection. The program states that applicants are assessed on academic talent, financial circumstances, leadership potential and their commitment to community impact.
Final Thoughts
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town 2027 presents an important opportunity for academically talented young Africans who face significant barriers to higher education.
With opportunities spanning Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science, the program can support students pursuing a range of eligible undergraduate and postgraduate pathways.
Prospective applicants should begin by identifying an eligible UCT program, completing the University’s academic application and then submitting the separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.
The most important deadlines are 30 September 2026 for bachelor’s applicants and 31 October 2026 for eligible postgraduate applicants.
Because application requirements and eligible programs can change, prospective applicants should verify the latest information directly through UCT’s official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website before submitting their applications.
SEO Keywords
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027, Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program UCT, UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, University of Cape Town scholarships 2027, fully supported scholarships South Africa, scholarships for African students 2027, undergraduate scholarships Africa, postgraduate scholarships Africa, UCT scholarships for international students, scholarships for African students, Mastercard Foundation scholarship South Africa, UCT undergraduate scholarships, UCT postgraduate scholarships, scholarships for disadvantaged students, scholarships for financially disadvantaged students, African student scholarships, study in South Africa scholarships, UCT scholarships 2027, fully funded scholarships South Africa, Mastercard Foundation UCT 2027, scholarships for young African leaders, graduate scholarships South Africa, honours scholarships South Africa, master’s scholarships South Africa.
For more opportunities like these, be sure to follow us on Facebook, join our WhatsApp Group and Channel
Also Check
Max Planck Computer Science Internships 2026: Fully Funded Research Opportunities for Students Worldwide
Adobe Internship Opportunities for Students and Graduates in Technology and Creative Fields
Mastercard Internship Program 2027 Applications Open for Students Worldwide
Human Rights Watch Africa Division Intern 2026: Great Lakes Region Internship
