The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is open for 2027/2028, offering African students full tuition and a monthly maintenance allowance for eligible master’s courses.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge has opened applications for the 2027/2028 academic year. The programme supports talented young Africans pursuing eligible full-time, one-year master’s degrees at Cambridge and includes full tuition costs and a monthly maintenance allowance.
Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University of Cambridge |
| Programme | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| Study Level | Master’s |
| Study Location | Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Study Duration | One-year postgraduate course |
| Target Group | African students |
| Funding | Full tuition + monthly maintenance allowance |
| Academic Year | 2027/2028 |
| Application Status | Open |
What the Scholarship Covers
The programme states that it aims to cover what students need to thrive at Cambridge, including:
- Full tuition costs
- Monthly maintenance allowance
The programme is therefore designed to provide substantial financial support for selected Scholars during their Cambridge master’s studies.
Programme Themes and Eligible Courses
The programme focuses on climate resilience and sustainability.
Eligible applicants can apply for full-time one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge, with the following exclusions:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Corporate Law (MCL)
- Master of Finance (MFIN)
- Master of Accountancy (MACC)
Applicants should check the specific academic and admission requirements of their chosen Cambridge course before applying.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an African country.
- Be resident in an African country, unless temporarily absent for study or work.
- Meet the academic requirements of the Cambridge course they are applying for.
The programme also notes an exception to the residence requirement for applicants who identify as internally displaced people or have refugee status.
The programme actively encourages women, refugees, internally displaced people and people with disabilities to apply.
How to Apply
The scholarship application is incorporated into the University of Cambridge postgraduate course application.
Applicants should first explore the available master’s courses through the Cambridge Postgraduate Study Course Directory and identify an eligible one-year programme.
During the course application, applicants will be asked to submit a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship statement.
The statement should cover:
- Career and education history
- Leadership potential
- How the scholarship will help achieve the applicant’s goals
- How the applicant hopes to contribute to sustainable futures in Africa
Explore Cambridge postgraduate courses
Read the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application guidance
Application Tips
Applicants should begin by selecting an eligible Cambridge master’s course and carefully reviewing its academic requirements.
The scholarship statement should clearly connect the applicant’s academic background, career plans, leadership potential and intended contribution to sustainable development in Africa.
Because the scholarship application is incorporated into the course application, applicants should ensure that the overall Cambridge application is complete and submitted by the relevant course funding deadline, not a later ordinary admission deadline.
Webinars for Applicants
The programme is holding webinars during the application period to provide information about the scholarship and application process.
Upcoming sessions listed by the programme include:
- October 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. UK time
- November 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. UK time
Registration is available through the programme’s official application information.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides a scholarship route for eligible African applicants seeking a one-year master’s degree at Cambridge. The published funding includes full tuition costs and a monthly maintenance allowance.
Applicants should pay particular attention to the residence, citizenship, course eligibility and academic requirements before beginning their application.
Application Deadline
Apply by the selected course’s funding deadline, not a later ordinary admission deadline. For 2027/2028, Cambridge’s main funding deadlines are generally 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course. Check the funding deadline in the course directory and the official funding guidance.
If an application-fee waiver is not applied automatically and you need to request one, start your application first and submit the waiver request by 20 November 2026, before submitting the course application. Check the official fee-waiver guidance for eligibility and instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mastercard Foundation Cambridge scholarship fully funded?
The programme states that it aims to cover full tuition costs and a monthly maintenance allowance.
Who is eligible?
The programme is for citizens of African countries who meet the stated residence requirements and the academic requirements of their chosen Cambridge course.
What can Scholars study?
Applicants can apply for eligible full-time one-year postgraduate courses, except the MBA, MCL, MFIN and MACC programmes.
Do I apply separately for the scholarship?
No. The scholarship application is incorporated into the University of Cambridge course application.
What should the scholarship statement discuss?
It should cover the applicant’s education and career history, leadership potential, how the scholarship will support their goals and how they hope to contribute to sustainable futures in Africa.
Does the programme have a specific focus?
Yes. The programme identifies climate resilience and sustainability as its themes.
Can refugees apply?
The programme states that refugees and internally displaced people are actively encouraged to apply and provides an exception to the normal residence requirement for applicants with refugee or internally displaced status.
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