The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge enables talented young Africans to pursue a master’s degree and grow their leadership potential.
We aim to cover everything students need to thrive in Cambridge, including full tuition costs and a monthly maintenance allowance.
We’re pleased to announce that applications for the 2027/2028 academic year are now open.
If you are a passionate, ambitious young African committed to creating impact and driving positive change, we encourage you to apply and take the next bold step in your academic and leadership journey.
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.
