Applications open in September for courses starting in October of the following year. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application is built into the course application.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is enabling outstanding African students to undertake a master’s degree and grow their leadership skills at one of the world’s top universities. Much more than a scholarship, the programme helps young people fulfil their academic potential and lays the foundations for a meaningful, fulfilling career.
Benefits
The Scholarship aim to cover everything you need to pursue your master’s and get the most out of your time in Cambridge, including:
- Course fee
- Maintenance / living allowance
- Visa and health surcharge
- Travel inc. flights and taxi into Cambridge
- Laptop
Requirements
To be eligible for the programme, you must:
1. Have a bachelor’s degree.
2. Meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen course. Some courses require the equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree and others an upper second-class degree. Please use the postgraduate study course directory to check your course’s entry requirements.
3. Be from, and live in, an African country. You can apply if you’re temporarily living outside of Africa for study or work.
4. Apply for an eligible course. This can be any full-time master’s excluding:
- Master of Accountancy (MACC)
- Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Corporate Law (MCL)
- Master of Finance (MFIN)
5. Demonstrate a commitment to giving back to your community, home country or Africa more generally, and to the themes of sustainability and climate resilience.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education. Women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Selection Process
| Stage | Date |
| Applications open | Early September |
| Application and Funding deadline | Depending on your course – either early December or early January |
| Departmental selection | December – February |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program selection | Late February / Early March |
| Scholarships offered | March / April |
Method of Application
Applications open in September
Before getting started
Use the postgraduate course directory to find the course you want to apply for, then check its entry requirements, funding deadline and the supporting documents you’ll need: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses
Check if the degree you currently hold meets Cambridge’s postgraduate academic entry requirements using the international qualifications checker: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-qualifications
1. Start your course application
Open your chosen course’s profile in the postgraduate course directory and click ‘Apply Now’. Create an account to save and return to your application later.
2. Apply for funding
During your application, opt in for funding to view eligible options. If you meet your chosen course’s entry requirements, you’ll be able to select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Write your scholarship statement, focusing on:
- Your career / education history
- Leadership potential
- How the scholarship will help you achieve your goals and aspirations
- How you hope to contribute to sustainable futures in Africa
3. Complete and submit your application
Submit your application by the course’s funding deadline – usually early December or January, earlier than the standard deadline.
You’ll also be asked to choose a College. This is where you’ll live, eat and have small group teaching sessions. Find out about the University’s 31 Colleges and how to choose one.
4. Departments select successful applicants
Departments select applicants on a rolling basis, with offers made between December and February. Selection is based on your course application and not your scholarship statement.
Some departments interview shortlisted candidates before making an offer.
5. Selection for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The team reviews applicants who have been offered a place on their chosen course and selects scholars based on both the course application and scholarship statement.
Offer letters are sent in late March or early April.
6. Submit any outstanding documents
If successful, submit any outstanding documents 31 July. This will usually include IELTS test results. The score required by most courses is either 7.0 or 7.5 overall.
(You can apply without IELTS results. If your application is successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer).
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