Location: United Kingdom
Program: Masters
Eligibility: Africa Students
Duration: 1 year
Deadline: November 8, 2024
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program aims to make a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis. Our Program is dedicated to nurturing a community of talented, entrepreneurial, and compassionate leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa. If you are applying exclusively for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship, you should only apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Once you have received a scholarship offer in March 2025, you can then proceed to apply to your chosen study programme at the University of Edinburgh through the University’s admissions process. If you are considering other scholarships, only then should you apply to the University as well.
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Located in Scotland’s capital city, it is known for its strong emphasis on research, innovation, and academic excellence. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including science, humanities, medicine, and social sciences.
It has consistently ranked among the top universities globally and is a member of the Russell Group, which represents leading research-intensive UK universities. The University of Edinburgh has a rich history and is also known for its vibrant student life, diverse community, and close connections with industries and research institutions worldwide. Notable alumni include Charles Darwin, Alexander Graham Bell, and several British prime ministers.
Benefits of The Scholarship
The scholarship will:
- Covers full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, living cost stipend and study materials.
- A climate leadership programme to inspire and support scholars in making change in their communities and countries.
- Additional support is offered to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs.
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet the eligibility criteria to apply:
- Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed. You will generally need to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher. Find out more about the postgraduate entry requirements for your country.
- Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).
- Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 8 November 2024.
- Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a sub-Saharan African country.
- Applicants must have faced barriers to education and in their early career.
- Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.
- Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis
- Applicants must be 35 or under the year the programme commences. Therefore, for the 2025/26 academic year, we accept applications from those born on or after 1 January 1990. Anyone born in 1989 and prior is not eligible.
- Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.
- We particularly welcome applications from female scholars, scholars from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and scholars with disabilities (see FAQs below for further information)
Selection process
The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:
- Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admissions to the University of Edinburgh
- Track record as a transformative leader and service within their community.
- Quality of application in line with the Program’s theme of climate justice.
- Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
- Applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to visit the official webpage and submit your application.
