Call for Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program at the University of Cambridge 2025
Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program at the University of Cambridge 2025
Location: University of Cambridge
Deadline: 5 December/ 5January 2025 (depending on selected course)
About the Scholarship
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is pleased to announce that applications for the 2025/2026 academic year are now open. The program aim to offer Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the University of Cambridge a stimulating and engaging experience in a vibrant and interdisciplinary community that is committed to transformative change.
The key elements of the Mastercard Foundation scholars program include: Adequate support for students to take up their studies, intensive emphasis on life skills beyond academia, and support for a lifelong network of alumni. Each Scholar will benefit from the highest calibre of academic training in their specific discipline, including mentorship support. This will enable them to make the connection between their course of study and the broad action and research agenda, contributing to the overall goal of climate resilience and sustainability in Africa and the world at large.
Eligibility Criteria
You can only apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge if:
- You are a citizen of an African country. You must be ordinarily resident in an African country unless you can demonstrate temporary absence for study or work, with an intention to return to your home country – except they are displaced or have refugee status.
- You are applying to pursue an eligible Master’s course, and intend to pursue fulltime study. Prospective Scholars can apply across a wide range of disciplines. The master’s course should be up to one year in length, at the University of Cambridge.
- You meet the academic requirement of the course you are applying for. All courses have their entry requirements listed on their website. Only candidates who meet the entry requirements will be offered an application fee waiver.
Benefits of the Scholarship
- The programme covers full tuition costs
- A monthly maintenance allowance
- A laptop
- Visa application fees
- International Health Surcharge
- Travel costs
In addition, Scholars will benefit from:
- A cohort-wide induction programme before the start of the course.
- Termly Leadership Training, which supports Scholars in thinking about sustainable leadership, and developing collaborative leadership qualities needed to build cross-sector solutions for sustainable development
- Support to take up a 3-6-month placements in leading Africa-based organisations. This will enable scholars to develop pathways to building impactful careers in Africa.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars will be able to join both the Cambridge University Alumni group and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars program alumni group, where they can continue to draw on and contribute to the community of African scholars.
How to Apply for the Scholarship
To be eligible for a scholarship offer, students are required to secure an admission from the relevant department. The Application process commences with an application for admission to the University of Cambridge via the course directory, to be completed by the funding deadline (which will be either the 5th December or 5th January depending on the course)
Applicants should ensure that they meet the academic requirements of selected courses. If the academic requirements for a course are not met, students will not qualify for the application fee waiver.
Step one: Apply for admission to the University of Cambridge
Apply for admission to the University of Cambridge via the course directory by the funding deadline. The University of Cambridge has created a very helpful video about applying for postgraduate admission and funding. The University of Cambridge’s online directory gives details about each course, its requirements, application deadlines, funding deadlines and the supporting documentation you need to provide.
Once you have identified the course you are interested in, you are required to put together the required paperwork and submit your application for admission and funding (Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program and other funding if applicable) via the University’s Graduate Application Portal.
Step Two: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Statement
As part of the application process in the University’s graduate application portal, students are asked to select funding bodies they are interested in applying to. A range of options are presented to the applicant. Once you select the Mastercard foundation scholars programme, you would be required to submit a mandatory personal statement. This is the only part of the application process where applicants are specifically asked about their fit for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program. You should endeavour to demonstrate how you specifically meet the Program’s criteria. You will be expected to write about your desire and commitment towards climate-resilient and sustainable futures for Africa and the world, and how your chosen course of study at Cambridge contributes towards that goal.
Step three: Choose a College
The University is composed of 31 colleges, each offering varied opportunities. It is important that you take time to consider the college you wish to live in. You may want a college near to your department, or any other specific requirement. Please read up about the college system to enable you make an informed choice.
Step Four: Fee waiver
Master’s applications require a £50 application fee. However, the fee will be automatically waived for applicants of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars programme. Please note you must submit the scholarship statement to benefit from the automatic waiver. Students who do not get an automatic waiver and are certain they meet all conditions of the Scholars programme are invited to contact the team by submitting a request.
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