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Foundation scholarship, University of Edinburgh with the Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh

Fully funded one-year on-campus Masters at Edinburgh, or part-time online study, for young Africans who have faced barriers to education and want to work on the climate crisis.
Official page for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh (opens in a new tab)

What it pays

On-campus scholars receive full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, a living cost stipend and study materials, plus a climate leadership programme and transitions support. Online scholarships (3-year part-time Masters, 2-year part-time Postgraduate Diploma) are also offered; check the Edinburgh pages for what they cover.

Fields: climate and sustainability related Edinburgh programmes (see the eligible programme list)

Who can apply

Citizens of African countries

  • Citizen or resident of an African country (including North Africa), or hold refugee status in one
  • Completed an undergraduate degree and meet the academic entry requirements of an eligible Edinburgh programme
  • Have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health related)
  • Track record of leadership and service in your community, and experience or ambition in addressing the climate crisis
  • Aged 35 or under in the year the programme starts (for 2026/27, born on or after 1 January 1991)
  • Not previously completed a postgraduate degree, and not enrolled at another university while on the scholarship

Deadline

For 2027/28 entry: mandatory information session 15 to 24 September 2026, applications open 20 October 2026, Applicant Declaration Form closes 26 October 2026 (5pm UK), main application closes 19 November 2026 (5pm UK). Timeline can change; confirm on the Edinburgh page.

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

Documents you will need

  • Applicant Declaration Form (completed before the main application)
  • Postgraduate Assessment and Scholarship main application forms
  • Degree certificate and official final transcript
  • Personal statement on leadership, barriers faced and climate commitment
  • References, as requested in the application

How to apply, step by step

  1. Step 1: Attend the information session

    Prospective applicants must attend the mandatory information session before they can apply.

  2. Step 2: Submit the Applicant Declaration Form

    Complete the declaration form before it closes. It may close early once the limit is reached.

  3. Step 3: Submit the main application

    Complete the Postgraduate Assessment and Scholarship forms for an eligible on-campus or online programme before the November deadline.

  4. Step 4: Interview

    Shortlisted applicants are invited to interview between February and March 2027.

  5. Step 5: Admission and visa support

    Successful scholars receive support with admission and immigration from April to August 2027, before study starts in September 2027.
Official page for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh (opens in a new tab)

Conditions if you accept

  • Only the listed Edinburgh programmes are eligible, and the list can change
  • Scholars take part in the climate leadership programme and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars community
  • You cannot hold another university place while on the scholarship

Tips for a stronger application

  • Check the eligible programme list first, because only selected Masters programmes are funded
  • The process starts months before the main deadline, so attend the September session and prepare your declaration form early
  • Show concrete leadership and community work, since selection weighs barriers faced and likely impact in your home country

Student visa guides

Winning the award does not include the visa. Plan your application with our guide for the host country.

Common questions

Sources

Checked against these official pages on 17 Oct 2026.

What we can and cannot promise

Jandify Global gives guidance and prepares documents. We do not decide visas, admissions or scholarships, and we cannot promise an outcome. Those decisions belong to embassies, universities and funders. Read the no guarantee policy.

This result uses the general rules. Your own documents, finances and history can change it. Have an advisor check your exact case.

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    Full details on Gates Cambridge Scholarship
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    Where
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    Full details on Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship
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    Rhodes Scholarship (African constituencies: West Africa, Southern Africa, Kenya, East Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe)

    Rhodes Trust, University of Oxford

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    Where
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    Level
    Master's, PhD
    Pays
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    Deadline
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    Full details on Rhodes Scholarship (African constituencies: West Africa, Southern Africa, Kenya, East Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe)
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