Study in the UK on a fully funded postgraduate scholarship. The University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, runs the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, offering 850 postgraduate scholarships for African students between 2023 and 2030. The 2027/28 cycle covers on-campus Master’s, online Master’s, and online Postgraduate Diploma study, with a focus on climate leadership and sustainability. This cycle has a new, multi-stage application process, so read the steps below carefully before you start.
Details About the Edinburgh Mastercard Scholars Program 2027/28
- Host Country: United Kingdom (Edinburgh, Scotland)
- University: University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation
- Degree Level: Postgraduate Master’s (on-campus or online) and online Postgraduate Diploma
- Scholarship Coverage: Fully Funded
- Deadline: Mandatory info sessions 15–24 September 2026; Applicant Declaration Form by 19 October 2026, 5 PM UK time; Main Application by 19 November 2026, 5 PM UK time
Fields Covered by the Edinburgh Mastercard Scholars Program
The program funds a range of sustainability-focused postgraduate programmes, including Sustainable Energy Systems and other climate- and development-related Master’s degrees. The University states this list of eligible programmes is subject to change, so check the current list on the official page before choosing a programme.
Financial Benefits (What Does the Scholarship Cover?)
For on-campus Scholars:
- Full approved tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Travel
- A living-cost stipend
- Study materials
- Participation in the Climate Leadership Programme
- Participation in the Climate Enterprise School, a week-long sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation training
- Additional needs-based support for Scholars with disabilities
For online Scholars:
- Full tuition fees
- Additional support for technology and program participation
What Is the Duration of the Scholarship?
- On-campus Master’s: 1 year, full-time
- Online Master’s: 3 years, part-time
- Online Postgraduate Diploma: 2 years, part-time
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Edinburgh, applicants should:
- Be a citizen or resident of an African country, or hold refugee status in an African country
- Hold, or be about to hold, the equivalent of a UK Upper Second Class (2:1) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher
- Have faced significant barriers to education or early career progress — social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related
- Be 35 years old or younger in the year the programme begins — for 2027/28, born on or after 1 January 1992
- If applying for a Master’s: not have previously completed a postgraduate degree, and not be enrolled or applying to enrol at another university while holding this scholarship
- If applying for the online Postgraduate Diploma: hold an undergraduate or Master’s degree from an African university, graduating by 19 November 2026
Required Documents
- Degree certificate and official final transcript, uploaded by 19 November 2026
- Completed Applicant Declaration Form (Stage 1)
- Completed Main Scholarship Application (Stage 2), including responses tied to the program’s climate justice theme
How to Apply for the Edinburgh Mastercard Scholars Program 2027/28?
Step 1: Confirm you meet the eligibility requirements before registering for anything.
Step 2: Register for and attend a mandatory virtual information session between 15–24 September 2026. Registering alone isn’t enough — you must attend and complete a short eligibility questionnaire. Sessions aren’t recorded.
Step 3: If your questionnaire responses show preliminary eligibility, you’ll receive an invitation via SurveyMonkey Apply on 13 October 2026 to complete the Applicant Declaration Form.
Step 4: Submit the Applicant Declaration Form by 19 October 2026, 5 PM UK time. This form may close early if the submission limit is reached, so don’t wait.
Step 5: If approved from Stage 1, complete and submit the Main Scholarship Application by 19 November 2026, 5 PM UK time.
Step 6: Wait for the outcome, expected by March 2027. Only after receiving a scholarship offer should you apply for your chosen degree programme through the University’s standard admissions process.
Official Website
The Link to the Official website is given below.