University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarships 2026/27: Online and On-Campus Postgraduate

Summary

Applications are open for the 2026/27 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh, offering fully funded postgraduate scholarships for outstanding young leaders from Africa. Opportunities are available for both on-campus master’s degrees in Edinburgh and online master’s degrees or postgraduate diplomas. The program focuses on climate justice and sustainability and includes a dedicated Climate Leadership Programme. Applications open on 14 October 2025 at 10:00 (BST) and close on 21 November 2025 at 17:00 (UK time).

Why Apply

• Full funding covering tuition, accommodation (on-campus), travel (on-campus), a living stipend (on-campus), study materials, and tailored disability support.

• For online scholars: full tuition coverage, stipend for laptop and reliable internet, access to in-person gathering, and ongoing coaching and workshops.

• Climate Leadership Programme for all Scholars, including placements, workshops, entrepreneurship pathways, and Africa-based climate justice summer schools.

• Intensive Climate Enterprise School to build sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation skills.

• Transitions support to help you move from study into impactful climate leadership.

Key Dates (2026/27 Cycle)

• 14 October 2025, 10:00 (BST): Applications open

• 14 November 2025, 17:00 (UK time): Deadline to complete Stage 1 (Declaration and Eligibility Assessment)

• 21 November 2025, 17:00 (UK time): Applications close

• End-November 2025 – January 2026: Academic and scholarship review

• Early February 2026: Outcome notifications; on-campus interview invitations

• Mid-February 2026: Online interview invitations

• Mid-February – March 2026: Interviews

• Mid-March 2026: On-campus interview outcomes

• End of March 2026: Online interview outcomes

• April – August 2026: Admissions and immigration support (on-campus) and admissions support (online)

• September 2026: Academic programmes start

Target

The University seeks to recruit exceptional young people with strong academic backgrounds and demonstrated leadership who have faced barriers to education. Scholars are committed to advancing climate justice and sustainability in their communities and across Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Qualify academically for admission to an eligible University of Edinburgh programme (generally the equivalent of a UK Upper Second Class Bachelor’s degree or higher). Check country-specific requirements on the University website.

• Have graduated from undergraduate study and be able to upload an official degree certificate and final transcript by 21 November 2025.

• Be residents and citizens of an African country (including North Africa) or hold refugee/displaced status in an African country.

• Be 35 or under in the year the programme commences (born on or after 1 January 1991 for the 2026/27 intake).

• Demonstrate leadership and community service, and experience or ambition to address the climate crisis.

• Have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related).

• Not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and not be enrolled at another university while on the scholarship.

  • Online Postgraduate Diploma exception: candidates may hold an undergraduate or a master’s degree from an African university (proof of graduation required by 21 November 2025).

Encouraged to apply: women, people with disabilities, and applicants with refugee or displaced backgrounds.

What the Scholarship Covers

On-Campus

• Full tuition, university accommodation, travel, living stipend, study materials

• Climate Leadership Programme and Climate Enterprise School

• Additional disability support (following needs assessment)

• Transitions support

Online

• Full tuition

• Stipend for laptop and high-quality internet

• Access to an in-person gathering

• Participation in the Climate Leadership Programme and Climate Enterprise School

• Dedicated Online Coordinator

• Additional disability support (needs-based)

• Transitions support

Eligible Degree Programmes

On-Campus Master’s (Edinburgh)

• Africa and International Development

• Climate Change Finance and Investment

• Data, Inequality and Society (must be undertaken fully in person for scholarship eligibility)

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation

• Food Security

• Environment and Development

• Environmental Sustainability

• Operational Research (general stream only)

• Planetary Health

• Sustainable Energy Systems

For more details visit: https://global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship/on-campus-postgraduate-scholarships

Online (Master’s unless otherwise stated)

• Climate Change Management (Master’s)

• International Development (Master’s)

• Global Challenges (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma)

• Global Food Security and Nutrition (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma)

• One Health (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma)

• Social Justice and Community Action (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma)

• Global Health and Infectious Diseases (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma)

• Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma)

• Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma)

• Digital Education (Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma)

• Data Science Technologies (Master’s)

Note: No other University of Edinburgh programmes are eligible for this scholarship.

For more details visit: https://global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship/online-postgraduate-scholarships

Selection Criteria

• Academic merit sufficient for admission to the University of Edinburgh

• Demonstrated transformative leadership and sustained community service

• Strength and alignment of application with climate justice and sustainability

• Potential for impact in the applicant’s home country

• Evidence of overcoming significant barriers to education

How to Apply

Application Window

• Opens: 14 October 2025 at 10:00 (BST)

• Closes: 21 November 2025 at 17:00 (UK time)

• Stage 1 deadline (Declaration and Eligibility Assessment): 14 November 2025 at 17:00 (UK time)

Steps

1. Review eligibility and eligible programmes listed above.

2. Complete Stage 1: Declaration and Eligibility Assessment by 14 November 2025, 17:00 (UK time).

3. If eligible, complete the full application, including short essay responses about your personal story, academic and leadership experience, climate commitment, and future goals.

4. Upload required documents: official degree certificate and final transcript by 21 November 2025.

5. Submit your application via the online system. Ensure you mark complete and press submit; you will receive an email confirmation.

6. Do not apply for the degree programme at this stage unless you are simultaneously applying to other scholarships that require an active University application. If you receive a scholarship offer in March 2026, you will then be invited to apply for your chosen degree programme.

Important Notes

• Applications are accepted only through the online application system.

• English language test results are not required for the scholarship application itself; they may be required later for University admission depending on your previous education. Support will be provided for required tests after conditional offers.

• If you are applying to additional University scholarships that require a programme application, follow those requirements and note that application fees are not waived unless you are awarded the Mastercard Foundation scholarship.

After You Apply

• All eligible applications are reviewed by University committees, including an academic suitability assessment by Admissions.

• Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview:

  • On-campus: invitations from early February 2026

  • Online: invitations from mid-February 2026

• Interviews are typically 30 minutes via video (alternatives can be arranged if necessary). Referees will be contacted at shortlist stage with instructions.

• Outcome notifications:

  • On-campus: mid-March 2026

  • Online: end of March 2026

• Successful candidates receive a conditional scholarship offer and will then apply to the University degree programme with guidance and support.

• Admissions and immigration support (on-campus) and admissions support (online) occur April–August 2026.

Program Spotlights

Climate Leadership Programme

All Scholars join a structured pathway to develop four essential capabilities:

• Entrepreneurial skills to design and deliver transformative solutions

• Values and justice orientation to lead ethically and inclusively

• Networks to collaborate across sectors and disciplines

• Self-knowledge and growth to sustain leadership over time

Activities include Africa-based climate justice summer schools, climate-oriented placements, regular workshops, coaching, and entrepreneurial pathways, alongside the intensive Climate Enterprise School.

Building Climate Leaders Across Africa

The program invests in a community of skilled, entrepreneurial, justice-oriented leaders who will drive sustainable transitions across the continent. Applicants who have built resilience through exclusion or displacement are especially encouraged to apply, including young women, people with disabilities, and those with refugee or displaced status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I apply for the scholarship or for admission first?
If this is the only scholarship you are pursuing at the University of Edinburgh, apply for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship only. If awarded, you will then be invited to apply for your degree programme. If applying for other scholarships that require a programme application, you may apply to the University in parallel.

Where and when do I apply?
The application link will be available from 14 October 2025 at 10:00 (BST). Applications close on 21 November 2025 at 17:00 (UK time). Complete Stage 1 (Declaration and Eligibility Assessment) by 14 November 2025 at 17:00 (UK time).

Can I apply if my intended programme differs from my undergraduate degree?
Yes. Use your application to demonstrate genuine interest, relevant experience, and alignment with your goals and the programme’s prerequisites.

Do I need to be a woman, have refugee/displaced status, or have a disability?
No. These groups are encouraged to apply, but they are not eligibility requirements. All applicants must meet the full criteria.

Do I need an English language test to apply?
Not for the scholarship application. You may need a qualifying English test result for University admission depending on your prior education. Support will be provided to successful candidates who require testing.

Can I apply to both on-campus and online routes?
No. Apply to either the on-campus route or the online route, not both.

Will the scholarship support dependents?
No. Funding and accommodation are for individual scholars only.

I submitted my application. When will I hear back?
Expect notifications in early February 2026 (initial outcomes and on-campus interview invitations) and mid-February 2026 (online interview invitations). Final outcomes: mid-March 2026 for on-campus; end of March 2026 for online.

What documents are required at application?
Official degree certificate and final transcript, uploaded by 21 November 2025.

How to Strengthen Your Application

• Show clear alignment with climate justice and sustainability and articulate your potential impact at home.

• Demonstrate leadership through tangible community service and initiatives.

• Address barriers you have overcome and how they inform your leadership.

• Use the information sessions to clarify programme fit and expectations.

• Review the Application Guidance in your applicant portal (“Pages” tab) and the FAQs before submitting.

Quick Links

• On-campus scholarships information session registration: https://gck.fm/ifocv

• Online learning scholarships information session registration: https://gck.fm/xgktg

• Scholarship details and application portal: https://global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship

• Contact: mcfsp@ed.ac.uk

Information Sessions

• On-campus scholarships: 17 October 2025, 16:00–17:00 (BST) — register at https://gck.fm/ifocv

• Online learning scholarships: 16 October 2025, 15:00–16:00 (BST) — register at https://gck.fm/xgktg

Call to Action

• Confirm your eligibility and programme fit.

• Register for the appropriate information session.

• Complete Stage 1 by 14 November 2025, 17:00 (UK time).

• Submit your full application by 21 November 2025, 17:00 (UK time).