Applications for the 2027/2028 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge are now open. The prestigious scholarship provides talented young Africans with the opportunity to pursue a fully funded one-year master’s degree at the University of Cambridge while developing their leadership potential and preparing to contribute to sustainable development in Africa.

The programme is designed for ambitious young Africans who are committed to creating positive change, particularly in the areas of climate resilience and sustainability.

Successful scholars receive comprehensive financial support designed to help them thrive during their studies at Cambridge, including full tuition fees and a monthly maintenance allowance.

Programme themes and eligibility

Our programme themes are climate resilience and sustainability. Recognising the wide range of expertise required to address these complex challenges, prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars can apply for any full-time one-year postgraduate courses at the University, excluding:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Corporate Law (MCL)
• Master of Finance (MFIN)
• Master of Accountancy (MACC)

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a citizen of an African country.
• Be resident in an African country, unless you can show temporary absence for study or work (exception – if you identify as an internally displaced person or have refugee status).
• Meet the academic requirement of the course you’re applying for.

How to apply

Before getting started

☑️ Use the postgraduate course directory to find the course you want to apply for, then check its entry requirements, funding deadline and the supporting documents you’ll need: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses

☑️ Navigate to the ‘Requirements’ tab and click on the link to check if the degree you currently hold meets Cambridge’s postgraduate academic entry requirements using the international qualifications checker.

1. Start your course application

Open your chosen course’s profile in the postgraduate course directory and click ‘Apply Now’. Create an account to save and return to your application later.

2. Apply for an application fee waiver (if required to do so)

Once you’ve opened your application, you can apply for an application fee waiver.

All Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applicants are eligible for the application fee waiver if you meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen course.

If your country is listed below, the application fee will be waived automatically when you submit your application – you do not need to take any action.

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania (United Rep. of), Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.

If your country does not appear on this list, you must submit an application fee request form using the link below, attaching copies of your transcript and passport:

Application Fee Waiver Form

Please complete the form as early as possible, and by the deadline of 18 November 2026.

3. Apply for funding

During your application, opt in for funding to view eligible options. If you meet your chosen course’s entry requirements, you’ll be able to select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Write your scholarship statement, focusing on:

• Your career / education history
• Leadership potential
• How the scholarship will help you achieve your goals and aspirations
• How you hope to contribute to sustainable futures in Africa

4. Complete and submit your application

Submit your application by the course’s funding deadline – usually early December or January, earlier than the standard deadline.

You’ll also be asked to choose a College. This is where you’ll live, eat and have small group teaching sessions. Find out about the University’s 31 Colleges and how to choose one.

5. Departments select successful applicants

Departments select applicants on a rolling basis, with offers made between December and February. Selection is based on your course application and not your scholarship statement.

Some departments interview shortlisted candidates before making an offer.

6. Selection for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The team reviews applicants who have been offered a place on their chosen course and selects scholars based on both the course application and scholarship statement.

Offer letters are sent in late March or early April.

7. Submit any outstanding documents

If successful, submit any outstanding documents by 31 July. This will usually include IELTS test results. The score required by most courses is either 7.0 or 7.5 overall but it’s important to check your course’s language requirements.

(You can apply without IELTS results. If your application is successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer).

Find out more

We’re holding a series of webinars during the application period – an opportunity to find out more about the programme and how to apply.

• Tuesday 22 September, 11am (UK): Sign up now
• Tuesday 6 October, 11am (UK): Sign up now

More sessions to be added

The programme supports diversity in all its forms and actively encourages women, refugees, internally displaced people, and people with disabilities to apply.