University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation 2027 Scholars Programme (On-Campus and Online) – SCHOLARSHIPS AND AID

University of Edinburgh, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation recruit exceptional young people with great academic and leadership experience who have overcome barriers to their education and are committed to pursuing their studies on-campus and online.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program aims to make a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis. The Program is dedicated to nurturing a community of talented, entrepreneurial, and compassionate leaders from across Africa. They empower young people with the necessary knowledge, skills, and networks to drive sustainable transitions by offering a range of exceptional sustainability-focused postgraduate opportunities through the Program at the University of Edinburgh.

There are 2 Scholarships awarded:

• On-campus postgraduate scholarships
• Online postgraduate scholarships

Benefits

What the on-campus scholarship provides

The on-campus scholarship provides:

• full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, living cost stipend and study materials
• a climate leadership programme to inspire and support scholars in making change in their communities and countries
• participation in the Climate Enterprise School, an intensive week-long programme of training in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
• additional support to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs
• transitions support

What the online scholarship provides

The online scholarship provides:

• full approved tuition fees; scholars will not pay for any part of the tuition fees
• an academic stipend to allow for access to a laptop and high-quality internet
• the opportunity to attend an in-person gathering
• participation in activities as part of the wider Climate Leadership Programme at the University of Edinburgh, including regular online workshops, online coaching and support
• participation in the Climate Enterprise School, an intensive week-long programme of training in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
• a dedicated Online Coordinator
• additional support for Scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs
• transitions support

Requirements

• Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed. You will generally need to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher.
• Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education and in their early career (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).
• Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 19 November 2026.
• Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in an African country.
• Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.
• Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis
• Applicants must be 35 or under the year the programme commences. Therefore, for the 2027/28 academic year, we accept applications from those born on or after 1 January 1992. Anyone born in 1991 and prior is not eligible.
• If applying for a Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or applying to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.
• If applying for the online Postgraduate Diploma: Applicants can either have an undergraduate or Masters degree from an African university (provided they will graduate from either degree by 19th November 2026). If you have a Masters degree, our admissions team will review your first degree (undergraduate) to meet the postgraduate diploma entry requirement. The Program will review your Masters degree transcripts to confirm your university’s graduation date and location.
• Applications are encouraged from women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

Selection Process

The on-campus scholarship selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:

• academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admissions to the University of Edinburgh 
• track record as a transformative leader and service within their community
• quality of application in line with the Program’s theme of climate justice
• potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country
• applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related)

The online scholarship selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:

• academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admissions to the University of Edinburgh 
• strong interest in Online learning and demonstrated understanding of what Online learning entails
• track record as a transformative leader and service within their community
• quality of application in line with the Program’s theme of climate justice
• potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country
• applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related)

Application timeline 2027/28

Method of Application

• Step 1: Check your eligibility
  • Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements before registering for an information session.
  • Check your eligibility
• Step 2: Explore the degree programmes
  Review the available on-campus and online degree programmes and decide which study mode and programme you would prefer.
• Step 3: Attend a mandatory virtual information session
  The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will host virtual information sessions between 15 and 24 September 2026.
  • Attending an information session is a mandatory step to gain access to the scholarship application form.
  • When you register for a session, you will complete a short questionnaire. Your responses will be reviewed to assess your preliminary eligibility.

Please note: Attending an information session does not guarantee an invitation to apply. Only attendees who also meet the scholarship eligibility requirements will receive an invitation to apply.

If you are invited to apply, you will complete the application in two stages:

• Stage 1: Complete the Applicant Declaration form
  • The Applicant Declaration Form is the first stage of the scholarship application. It asks for additional information to confirm your eligibility.
  • If you are invited to apply, you should complete the form as soon as possible.
  • The deadline is 19 October 2026, 5pm UK time.
  • University of Edinburgh reserve the right to close the form earlier once we reach our application limit. Early completion is therefore strongly recommended.
  • Applicants who are not successful at this stage will receive a notification and will not proceed to the main application.
• Stage 2: Complete the Scholarship Main Application
  • Applicants who successfully complete the Applicant Declaration Form will be invited to complete the Scholarship Main Application.
  • The deadline for submitting the main application is: 19 November 2026, 5pm UK time.

For More Information,

Application Deadline: November 19, 2026.