Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28: Fully Funded Postgraduate Scholarships at the University of Edinburgh

Introduction

For many young graduates across Africa, studying abroad can feel like an opportunity that is simply out of reach because of the cost. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 at the University of Edinburgh could change that. This fully funded opportunity is designed for talented young Africans who want to pursue sustainability related master’s or postgraduate diploma programmes. You can study either on campus in Scotland or through eligible online study.

What makes the opportunity especially appealing is simple. Financial barriers should not stand between successful scholars and a high quality international education.

The University of Edinburgh is now in the second phase of its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Since 2016, the programme has supported more than 200 scholars from 26 African countries. Under the current phase, running from 2023 to 2030, the university aims to fund 850 postgraduate scholarships.

For the 2027/28 academic year, the application process has also been updated. There’s now a more structured recruitment system. That means prospective applicants need to understand the requirements and stages involved before submitting anything.

In this guide, we break down the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 in simple terms. You’ll find information on eligibility, the programmes available, what the scholarship covers, the documents to prepare, and how the application process works from start to finish.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to young women, people living with disabilities, and individuals who have experienced displacement or other significant barriers to education. So, if you fall into any of these groups, or you simply want to know whether your background and academic goals fit the programme, this guide will help you assess your options and prepare a stronger application.

Scholarship Overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the flagship initiatives run by the Mastercard Foundation. This is a Canada based foundation that works almost exclusively on expanding access to education and employment for young people across Africa. The Foundation partners with a pan African and global network of more than 40 universities. The University of Edinburgh has been one of those partners since 2016.

Who runs the programme

At Edinburgh, the Program is delivered through Edinburgh Global, the University’s international office. The current phase of the partnership runs from 2023 to 2030. During this time, it will provide 850 postgraduate scholarships to young people living or working in Africa. Candidates should show strong academic and leadership potential, but have had limited access to educational opportunities.

Study options for 2027/28

For 2027/28, the Program is recruiting scholars to begin their studies in September 2027. Three types of awards are on offer:

• On campus master’s scholarships, involving one year of full time study in Edinburgh
• Online master’s scholarships, delivered part time over three years
• Online postgraduate diploma scholarships, delivered part time over two years

The scholarship is fully funded. So, successful applicants won’t need to find separate funding for tuition. On campus scholars also receive support for living costs. Because the Program is closely tied to the University’s climate justice and sustainability agenda, every scholar becomes part of a wider community. This applies whether you’re based in Edinburgh or studying online. Together, scholars work toward driving sustainable change across Africa.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Before registering for the mandatory information session (more on that shortly), check carefully whether you meet the eligibility requirements. According to the University of Edinburgh’s official criteria, applicants generally need to meet the following conditions.

Academic qualification

You must qualify academically for admission to a relevant University of Edinburgh postgraduate programme. In most cases, this means holding the equivalent of a UK Second Class Upper Bachelor’s Honours degree or higher.

Age limit

There’s also an age limit to keep in mind. Applicants must be 35 or under in the year the programme commences, which means for the 2027/28 academic year, only those born on or after 1 January 1992 are eligible.

Nationality and background

The Program is intended for young people living or working in Africa, with a strong focus on Sub Saharan Africa. In addition, applicants should have faced significant barriers to education and in their early career, whether these were social, financial, personal, practical, or health related.

Documents and timing

There’s also a documentation requirement tied to timing. Applicants must have already graduated from their undergraduate studies and need to be able to upload a degree certificate and official final transcript alongside their application by 19 November 2026.

Master’s vs. postgraduate diploma applicants

If you’re applying for a master’s programme, you shouldn’t have already completed a postgraduate degree, and you shouldn’t be enrolled in or applying to a separate university while holding this scholarship. On the other hand, if you’re applying for the online postgraduate diploma, you can apply with either an undergraduate or a master’s degree from an African university, as long as you’ll graduate by 19 November 2026.

The Program particularly encourages applications from young women, young people with disabilities, and young people with refugee or displaced status. This reflects its broader mission around inclusive access to education.

Because entry requirements can vary slightly depending on the degree programme and your country of origin, check the University’s postgraduate entry requirements page for your specific country before you go any further.

SEE ALSO:Chevening Scholarship 2027: Full Guide, Deadline & Apply

Scholarship Benefits

One of the biggest reasons this scholarship stands out is how much it covers. That said, the exact benefits differ a little depending on whether you’re selected for on campus or online study.

Benefits for on campus scholars

For on campus scholars, based on previous cohorts, the scholarship typically covers:

• Full tuition fees for the length of the master’s programme
• On campus accommodation
• A living stipend for everyday expenses
• Travel costs to and from Edinburgh
• Study materials
• Tailored support for scholars with disabilities, based on an individual needs assessment

On top of this, on campus scholars take part in the Climate Leadership Programme. This builds leadership and community impact skills. They also join the Climate Enterprise School, an intensive training programme in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation.

Benefits for online scholars

For online scholars, the scholarship typically covers full tuition fees for the online master’s or postgraduate diploma. It also includes a stipend to help with a laptop and reliable internet access. In addition, online scholars get opportunities to attend in person gatherings with fellow scholars, plus ongoing coaching, mentorship, and skills workshops throughout the programme.

A global network that lasts

Beyond the financial support, every scholar joins a global alumni community. This network includes more than 20,000 Mastercard Foundation Scholars across 40 partner institutions, over 70 percent of whom are young women. As a result, this network tends to carry real value long after graduation. It connects scholars with mentors, career opportunities, and other changemakers across Africa and beyond.

Available Courses and Study Areas

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 supports study in a curated set of sustainability focused postgraduate programmes. Keep in mind that the degree list can change, so confirm current offerings on the official website before applying.

On campus master’s programmes

• Africa and International Development
• Climate Change Finance and Investment
• Data, Inequality and Society
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Environment and Development
• Environmental Sustainability
• Food Security
• Operational Research
• Planetary Health
• Sustainable Energy Systems

Online distance learning programmes

• Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health (MSc or Diploma)
• Climate Change Management (MSc route only)
• Data Driven Breeding and Genetics (MSc or Diploma)
• Data Science Technologies (MSc route only)
• Digital Education (MSc or Diploma)
• Global Food Security and Nutrition (MSc or Diploma)
• Global Health and Infectious Diseases (MSc or Diploma)
• International Development (MSc route only)
• One Health (MSc or Diploma)
• Social Justice and Community Action (MSc or Diploma)

Together, these programmes reflect the Program’s overall focus on climate justice and sustainable development. They’re designed to equip scholars with skills that are directly relevant to the challenges facing their home communities.

Application Requirements and Documents

Since the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 follows a multi stage process, the exact documents you need will depend a little on which stage you’ve reached. Even so, it’s smart to prepare the following in advance:

• A valid passport or national ID confirming your date of birth and nationality
• Your undergraduate degree certificate
• Your official final academic transcript
• A detailed CV highlighting academic achievements, leadership experience, and community involvement
• Evidence of the barriers to education or early career opportunities you have faced
• Contact details for academic or professional referees
• A personal statement addressing your motivations, leadership potential, and the impact you hope to make in your home country
• Any supporting evidence relevant to your eligibility category, such as documentation related to disability or refugee status, where applicable

Applicants should have these documents ready ahead of time. This matters because the Program has indicated that some stages may close earlier than the stated deadline once a submission limit is reached.

How to Apply for the Scholarship

The application process for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 looks quite different from previous years. You can’t go straight to a scholarship application form anymore. Instead, the process works like this.

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Read through the official eligibility criteria carefully before doing anything else. Only genuinely eligible candidates will be able to move forward.

Step 2: Explore the degree programmes. Decide whether you want to study on campus in Edinburgh or online. Then choose a programme from the eligible list that fits your academic background and career goals.

Step 3: Register for and attend a mandatory virtual information session. Attending an information session is a required step to gain access to the scholarship application form. When you register, you’ll complete a short questionnaire, and your responses will be reviewed to assess your preliminary eligibility. However, attending a session doesn’t guarantee an invitation to apply. Only attendees who also meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to move ahead. Information sessions run between 15 and 24 September 2026, with separate dates and times for on campus and online applicants.

Step 4: Wait for your invitation to apply. On 13 October 2026, eligible attendees will be notified whether they’re invited to apply, and successful candidates will receive that invitation through SurveyMonkey Apply.

Step 5: Complete the Applicant Declaration Form. This is the first formal stage of the application. It asks for further information to confirm your eligibility. Submit this as early as possible, since the form may close before the official deadline once the application limit is reached.

Step 6: Complete the Scholarship Main Application. Only applicants who pass the Declaration Form stage will be invited to complete the full main application. Here, you’ll provide detailed information, documents, and personal statements.

One thing worth remembering: applicants should only apply for the scholarship at this stage, not for their chosen University of Edinburgh degree programme. Those who receive a scholarship offer in March 2027 will then be invited to apply for admission through the University’s standard process.

To register for the mandatory information session and start your application journey, use the official portal below.

Official application portal: https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO00qhthfxnj0088c5zc8g9h

For full details and updates, you can also check the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page at https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation

Scholarship Deadline

Rather than a single deadline, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 follows a multi stage timeline. According to the official application guidance:

• Virtual information sessions run from 15 to 24 September 2026
• Invitation notifications go out on 13 October 2026
• The Applicant Declaration Form is due by 19 October 2026, 5pm UK time
• The Scholarship Main Application is due by 19 November 2026, 5pm UK time
• Scholarship offers are expected around March 2027

Because the Program can close earlier stages once application limits are reached, register for an information session and complete each stage of the application as early as you can. Don’t wait until the last moment.

Selection Process

Selection for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 is competitive and involves several stages. According to the University’s official criteria, candidates are assessed on:

• Academic merit, and whether they qualify for admission to their chosen Edinburgh programme
• Track record of leadership and service within their communities
• Overall quality of their application, in relation to the Program’s focus on climate justice and sustainability
• Potential impact they’re likely to have on the development of their home country
• Barriers they’ve faced in accessing education, whether social, financial, personal, practical, or health related

After the information session stage confirms preliminary eligibility, candidates who receive an invitation must clear two more stages. These are the Applicant Declaration Form and the Main Application. Only then is their file reviewed for a scholarship offer. On campus applicants may also be invited to an interview as part of the final review before offers go out in March 2027.

Application Tips for Applicants

Register for an information session as soon as it opens. Some stages of the process may close before the official deadline once submission limits are reached, so acting early genuinely helps.

Read the eligibility page carefully rather than assuming you qualify. Check the age limit, the degree requirements, and the nationality criteria against your own situation before investing time in the process.

Prepare your documents in advance. Having your degree certificate, transcript, CV, and identification ready means you can move quickly once you’re invited to apply.

Be authentic in your personal statement. Reviewers are looking for real evidence of leadership, resilience, and community impact, not generic achievements that could belong to anyone.

Show how your goals connect to sustainability and climate justice, since this theme runs through the entire Program. Your statement should clearly link your academic and career plans to sustainable development in your home country or region.

Follow the instructions precisely. The Program has stated that applications submitted outside the official system won’t be accepted. So, always apply through the designated portal.

Ask questions early. If anything is unclear, contact the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Team at [email protected] well before the deadline rather than waiting until the last moment.

Conclusion

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 at the University of Edinburgh can open a valuable door for young Africans. It’s a chance to pursue postgraduate studies in sustainability related fields without taking on the heavy financial burden that often comes with studying abroad. The support goes beyond paying for tuition. With funding for living costs and the opportunity to become part of an international network of scholars, the programme gives recipients the resources, connections, and experience they need to make a meaningful difference in their communities.

If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements, do not leave the process until the last minute. One of the key steps is attending the required virtual information session before the September 2026 sessions close. After that, focus on getting your documents in order, following the application instructions carefully, and submitting a genuine application that clearly explains your goals, experiences, and the impact you hope to make.

A scholarship of this kind can be highly competitive, so preparation matters. Start gathering your documents early, review the requirements carefully, and give yourself enough time to submit an application you are genuinely proud of. For eligible applicants, this could be the beginning of an opportunity to study at the University of Edinburgh and prepare for a career focused on creating lasting change.