The University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme 2026/2027 for young Africans (Fully Funded) – Opportunities For Africans

183

Application Deadline: January 2026

Applications are actually open for the 2026/2027 University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program on the University of Cambridge permits proficient young Africans to pursue a grasp’s diploma and develop their management potential at one of the world’s main universities. 

Selection standards embody:

• Outstanding mental potential
• A want and dedication to contribute to local weather resilient and sustainable futures for Africa and the world at massive
• Leadership potential

Requirements

To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program on the University of Cambridge, you need to:

1. Have a bachelor’s diploma. 

2. Meet the educational entry necessities of your chosen course. Some programs require the equal of a UK first-class honours diploma and others an higher second-class diploma. Please use the postgraduate study course directory to check your course’s entry necessities.

3. Be from, and stay in, an African nation. You can apply when you’re quickly dwelling exterior of Africa for study or work.

4. Apply for an eligible course. This might be any full-time grasp’s excluding:

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

5. Demonstrate a dedication to giving again to your neighborhood, home nation or Africa extra usually, and to the themes of sustainability and local weather resilience.

Benefits

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers:

• Course price
• A month-to-month dwelling / upkeep allowance 
• Visa application price, IHS surcharge and an economic system return ticket from the scholar’s home nation to the United Kingdom

In addition, Scholars will profit from:

• A cohort-wide induction programme earlier than the beginning of the educational yr
• Termly management coaching module, which assist students in fascinated with sustainable management, and growing collaborative management qualities wanted to construct cross-sector options for sustainable growth 
• Support to take up a 3-6-month placement in a number one Africa-based organisation
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars will have the ability to be a part of each the Cambridge University Alumni group and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumni group, the place they’ll proceed to draw on and contribute to the neighborhood of African students

Please observe that as a result of change within the UK Home Office guidelines from January 2024, spouses and kids of college students on one-year taught grasp’s programmes usually are not eligible to apply for dependant visas.

Application Timeline:

Stage	Date
Applications open	10 September 2025
Application and funding deadline	Depending in your course – both early December 2025 or early January 2026
Departmental educational choice	December 2025 – February 2026
Mastercard Foundation Scholars choice	Late February – early March 2026
Scholarships supplied	March / April 2026

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme