University of Cape Town Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program 2027 for study in South Africa is open((Fully-funded Bachelors and Masters)
Key Summary — Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT 2027
- University: University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
- Programme: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Intake: 2027
- Eligible applicants: Citizens of African countries, including South Africa
- Study levels: First bachelor’s degree and eligible postgraduate diploma, honours and taught master’s programmes
- Funding: Fully funded, including tuition, accommodation, living expenses, medical aid, laptop, visa support and travel where applicable.
- Additional support: Mentorship, academic support, leadership development, career development, entrepreneurship training and access to a global alumni network.
- Eligibility: Strong academic ability, significant financial/social barriers, leadership potential and commitment to community service and positive change.
- Fields: Commerce, Engineering & Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science.
- Inclusion: Applications are encouraged from young women, persons with disabilities, refugees and forcibly displaced youth.
- Application process: Applicants must apply to UCT first, then submit a separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.
- Deadline — Bachelor’s: 30 September 2026
- Deadline — Postgraduate: 31 October 2026
- Important: UCT’s undergraduate applications for 2027 are already closed, while postgraduate applications remain open.
About the Program
Do you have what it takes to be a Mastercard Foundation Scholar? The University of Cape Town is looking for the next generation of leaders to join this unique program.
Learners and students across Africa will be awarded the opportunity to study at UCT as part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will provide students with a top-level education, as well as leadership, career development, mentorship and access to a global Alumni network.
Learn how you can join us and help make positive change in surrounding communities.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people to pursue higher education and cultivate their leadership potential.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is committed to enabling young people to access higher education, succeed in the world of work and grow as transformative leaders.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town selects academically talented young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa to access a world-class university education, with comprehensive support systems in place to help them succeed.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers the full period of your UCT programme of study. It is renewable annually subject to satisfactory academic performance and personal conduct, and to participate in the development programmes and activities which form part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT.
- Comprehensive financial support covering tuition fees for your chosen programme of study, a laptop, accommodation on UCT’s campuses, living expenses, medical aid, a study visa (where applicable) and annual travel to and from UCT.
- Through your chosen academic programme, you will have access to excellent teaching and a transformative and socially engaged education aimed at unleashing your potential to contribute to creating a just and fair society.
- The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides academic and peer support to ensure your academic development, growth, and success. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT also includes a series of skills programmes aimed at developing:
- your entrepreneurial and career readiness skills;
- your capabilities as an ethical and transformative leader; and
- your ability to continue contributing to your community.
On graduating from your UCT programme of study, you will join a lifelong network of changemakers as part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network.
Program Partners
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in collaboration with a global network of education institutions and non-profit organisations, seeks to provide academically talented yet economically disadvantaged youth from developing countries, particularly in Africa, with quality education, skills development, financial support, and graduate placement opportunities.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Global Network of Partners share the belief that education is the catalyst for social and economic advancement. The Scholars Program aims to benefit 15,000 young people mostly from Africa, over a ten year period.
Other partners in the Scholars Program include: African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) (South Africa); African Leadership Academy (South Africa); American University of Beirut – Faculty of Health Sciences (Lebanon); Arizona State University (USA); Ashesi University (Ghana); BRAC (Uganda); Camfed (Ghana); Duke University (USA); EARTH University (Costa Rica); FAWE – Forum for African Women Educationalists (Rwanda and Ethiopia); KNUST – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana); Makarere University (Uganda); McGill University (Canada); Michigan State University (USA); Stanford University (USA); University of British Columbia (Canada); University of California, Berkeley (USA); University of Pretoria (South Africa); University of Toronto (Canada); and Wellesley College (USA)
Learn more about the program partners
Apply
Are you an innovative thinker who is committed to leading positive social and economic change in Africa?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides scholarships to academically talented young Africans to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Students enrolled in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will receive support and developmental opportunities including mentoring, leadership development, academic and life skills support, career development and entrepreneurship training. They are expected to engage in community upliftment projects and get involved in all that UCT has to offer.
UCT opens its call for applications to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program annually.
Visit the links below to learn more about the undergraduate and postgraduate application procedures.
Note that applications to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is not the same as an academic application for UCT. Prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars are advised to submit an academic application to UCT first, and then apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Undergraduate applications for the 2027 intake at UCT are closed, but postgraduate applications remain open.Applicants should check with the relevant UCT faculty for programme-specific requirements and deadlines. Those who have already applied for an undergraduate bachelor’s degree at UCT may apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program if they meet all eligibility requirements, but only applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT will be eligible for the program.
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