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The University of Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship is designed to provide talented students from Africa with fully funded opportunities to pursue a Master’s degree, develop transformative leadership skills, and contribute to climate resilience and sustainability in Africa and beyond.
This fully funded scholarship, sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation, covers:
* Full tuition fees
* Accommodation
* Monthly living stipends
* Laptop and books
* Airfare
About the Scholarship
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are now open. The Mastercard Foundation envisions a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper, regardless of background. Its mission is to empower economically disadvantaged young people in Africa with access to education, financial services, and skills training so they can lift themselves, their families, and their communities out of poverty.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
* Be a citizen of an African country.
* Be ordinarily resident in an African country (temporary absences for study/work are acceptable if you intend to return or if you have been displaced).
* Be applying for a full-time Master’s course of up to one year in length at the University of Cambridge.
* Hold a Bachelor’s degree.
* Meet the academic entry requirements of the chosen course (some require the equivalent of a UK first-class honors degree, others an upper second-class degree). Please use the postgraduate study course directory to check your course's entry requirements
* Apply for an eligible course (excluding Master of Accountancy MACC, Business Administration MBA, Master of Corporate Law MCL, Master of Finance MFIN).
* Demonstrate a commitment to giving back to your community, home country, or Africa, with a focus on sustainability and climate resilience.
Note: The funding application is embedded in the Cambridge course application process. Applicants must also provide a supplementary statement outlining their commitment to building climate-resilient and sustainable futures for Africa.
Deadline: January 5, 2026 (varies by course deadline).
Applicants must carefully check their course funding deadline when applying.
How to Apply
1. Apply for admission to the University of Cambridge through the Course Directory by your course’s funding deadline.
Note: The deadline for submitting applications for funding is the 5th of December 2025 for courses with a December deadline and 5th of January 2026 for courses with a January deadline. When making an application, pay close attention to the funding deadline.
2. During the application process, opt in for funding consideration. Eligible funding opportunities, including the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, will appear.
3. Ensure you meet your course’s entry requirements, then select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
4. The selection team will review all applications from candidates who have received an offer from their department.
5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars are chosen based on both their course application and scholarship statement.
6. Offer letters are typically sent in March or April.
For a step-by-step guide on submitting your Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship application, click HERE. To apply, click HERE
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