The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa supports highly talented, service-oriented young people who face the highest social and economic barriers to opportunity. The graduate students complete their Master of Science degrees in Information Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Engineering Artificial Intelligence. Upon completion of the program, Mastercard Foundation Scholars go on to lead changes in their communities and contribute to meaningful transformation across the continent.
CMU-Africa is part of a global network of 33 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partners, comprised of institutions committed to developing Africa’s young leaders.
Benefits
From the point of selection through to employment or further education, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive comprehensive, wrap-around support that addresses their academic, personal, and professional development needs. In addition to full tuition coverage, CMU-Africa provides a range of tailored resources to ensure Mastercard Foundation Scholars thrive during their studies and transition successfully into meaningful careers or advanced academic opportunities.
- Holistic support: The scholarship covers application preparation support, orientation, tuition and fees, health insurance, travel and basic living expenses, project, and entrepreneurship support. Mastercard Foundation Scholars also have access to a range of resources that support their well-being and academic success.
- Career preparation: Mastercard Foundation Scholars benefit from tailored activities to prepare them for the workplace.
- Leadership development: Mastercard Foundation Scholars develop leadership skills through participation in student clubs, community service, and a variety of programs that equip students to become changemakers.
Requirements
Problem solvers
CMU-Africa’s mission is to deliver transformative educational programs to cultivate future technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators across Africa. We engage in collaborative research and innovation to address African and global challenges. Applicants must therefore be passionate about solving problems on the continent using the education and skills acquired at CMU-Africa.
Critical thinkers
CMU-Africa’s programs are fast-paced and demanding, and require a critical thinking approach that is ideal for students who are creative and who question conventions.
Leaders of character
CMU-Africa is looking for not only the brightest students, but also those who will become leaders in the communities or organizations they serve. Applicants must have some leadership qualities, though experiences can vary from college extracurricular activities to academic/professional/business achievements to personal triumphs or commitments in the applicant’s community.
Strong academic backgrounds
The admissions team will review your prior academic performance, and the nature of your work experience. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of their bachelor’s program, and while there is no minimum GPA, our students have a strong undergraduate background.
The program requires individuals with strong programming skills and a high proficiency in written and oral English, which is the language in which classes are conducted.
Strong spirit of community
CMU-Africa students spend 80 percent of their time with fellow students and faculty, and bring together a variety of experiences, cultures and aspirations, as our students are from a variety of countries in Africa. Many graduates find their largest sense of fulfillment to be shaped by how much they shared their experiences with their fellow classmates, supported their colleagues, and learned from and taught their peers. CMU-Africa candidates must exhibit such character.
Method of Application
Two steps to apply to CMU-Africa
Dates to remember
Important dates for applying to CMU-Africa and understanding the admissions decision process
October 1: All program applications open. Begin your application to the Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS ECE), or the Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence (MS EAI) program. Learn more about our programs.
December 15: Early admission deadline. Submit your application by the early admission deadline of December 15 for CMU-Africa to cover your competency test fees. Learn more about test fees
January 15: Final application deadline. Any application received after the early admission deadline will only be considered if submitted with valid DET/IELTS/TOEFL.
January-April: Applications are reviewed. After the final application deadline, all components of the applications are reviewed.
April-May: Admissions decisions are shared with applicants. You will receive email communications from the admissions team on the status of your application at every stage. You can also view the status of your application through your application portal.
May-August: The Student Induction Program is held for admitted students. The program ensures a successful transition to CMU-Africa through a mix of online and in-person learning, including Tartan Tuesdays webinars, self-paced online learning, the English Enhancement Program, and on-campus orientation activities.
September: The semester begins for admitted students. The academic calendar serves as Carnegie Mellon University’s information source and planning document for students, faculty, staff, departments, and outside organizations. The calendar includes registration, class start dates, add/drop deadlines, and exam dates. View CMU-Africa’s academic calendar
Need help with your application? contact the school
For More Information,
Application Deadline: December 15, 2026.