Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 at Cambridge in the UK (Fully Funded Master’s for African Students)

The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at the University of Cambridge, run as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, is a fully funded award for talented young Africans who want to take a one-year Master's course in the United Kingdom. Applications for the 2027/2028 academic year opened on 11 September 2026. The programme aims to cover everything a student needs to study in Cambridge: the course fee, a monthly living allowance, a return flight, the student visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and a laptop. The programme was established in 2022 and aims to bring 500 outstanding students from across Africa to Cambridge for a Master's by 2030. Its themes are climate resilience and sustainability, but you can apply for almost any full-time Master's course. The only courses excluded are the MBA, the Master of Accountancy, the Master of Corporate Law and the Master of Finance. Scholars also join a week-long orientation, a mentoring scheme, a leadership development programme run with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, a three-day social ventures course, and can get support for a three- to six-month placement with an Africa-based organisation. To be eligible you must hold a Bachelor's degree, meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen course (a UK first-class or upper second-class degree or equivalent, depending on the course), and be a citizen of an African country who lives in Africa. Temporary stays outside Africa for study or work are allowed, and refugees and internally displaced people are exempt from the residence rule. You must also show a commitment to giving back to your community, your country or Africa, and to sustainability and climate resilience. There is no upper age limit, but dual African and UK passport holders cannot apply, and the programme does not fund PhDs. There is no separate scholarship form. You apply for your Cambridge course in the Applicant Portal, opt in for funding, select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and write a scholarship statement. The complete application, including references, must be submitted by your course's funding deadline: 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 at 23:59 GMT, depending on the course. If your country is not on the automatic fee-waiver list, request an application fee waiver by 20 November 2026. Departments select applicants between December and February, and scholarship offers are sent in March and April 2027. Last checked on 29 October 2026 against the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website at the University of Cambridge (Eligibility, How to apply, What we offer, Application process timeline, FAQ and the 2027/2028 applications news) and the University of Cambridge Postgraduate funding page.