There are scholarships. And then there is this.
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship at the University of Oxford gives talented young Africans the opportunity to study at the number one or number two ranked university in the world — completely free. Tuition. Accommodation. Living expenses. Return flights. Visa fees. An emergency fund. Leadership training. A placement in Africa after graduation. And a lifelong connection to one of the most powerful alumni networks on the planet.
This is not an exaggeration. This is what the programme covers — for 400 young African scholars across a range of master’s programmes — through a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation, the University of Oxford, and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx).
If you are an African student with academic excellence and a genuine commitment to transforming your community and your continent, this guide gives you everything you need to understand and apply for one of the most competitive and most rewarding scholarships in existence.
What Is the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship?
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship is delivered through a partnership between three organisations:
- The Mastercard Foundation — one of the world’s largest private foundations, committed to enabling young Africans to access dignified and fulfilling work
- The University of Oxford — consistently ranked the world’s number one or number two university
- The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) — a platform connecting Oxford’s resources to Africa’s development challenges
Together, they are funding 400 young African scholars to pursue fully funded taught master’s degrees at Oxford, in programmes focused on pandemic preparedness, recovery, and Africa’s broader development priorities aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
The programme also includes a partnership with the Saïd Business School Foundation, offering up to five additional fully funded MBA scholarships for African students admitted to Oxford’s prestigious MBA programme.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship |
| Host University | University of Oxford |
| Host Country | United Kingdom |
| Scholarship Type | Fully Funded |
| Study Level | Master’s (one year taught) |
| Total Scholars | 400 (across the programme period) |
| MBA Scholarships | Up to 5 (via Saïd Business School) |
| Eligible Applicants | Citizens of ALL African countries |
| Application Method | Built into Oxford graduate admissions |
| Selection Announced | By August 2026 |
| Official Website | afox.ox.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program |
| Contact | applications@mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk |
Why the University of Oxford?
Oxford is, by almost every measure, the most prestigious university in the world. Understanding what studying there means for an African graduate helps you understand why this scholarship is so extraordinary.
The World’s Number One University
The University of Oxford is ranked 1st or 2nd globally in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings year after year. An Oxford master’s degree is the single most internationally recognised academic credential available at the postgraduate level. For African students returning home to work in government, development, research, business, or entrepreneurship, this credential carries enormous weight everywhere in the world.
Founded in 1096 — Almost 1,000 Years of Excellence
Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with a continuous history of teaching dating to 1096. It has shaped global thought, governance, literature, science, and law for nearly a millennium. Its alumni include 72 Nobel Prize winners, more than 30 world leaders, and some of the most influential thinkers and innovators in human history.
The Oxford College System
Like Cambridge, Oxford operates through a unique college system — 39 colleges, each with its own historic buildings, dining hall, library, and close-knit academic community. As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, you will be part of both the university and a college, giving you an intimate academic experience alongside Oxford’s global prestige.
Saïd Business School — Africa’s Business Leaders
For applicants interested in the MBA stream, the Saïd Business School at Oxford is one of the world’s most respected business schools. Its MBA programme is ranked among the global top 20 and is designed specifically to develop business leaders who think at a global scale and act with ethical purpose. Up to five Mastercard Foundation AfOx scholarships are available for the MBA — a remarkable opportunity for African business leaders.
The AfOx Network
As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar through the Africa Oxford Initiative, you gain access to the AfOx alumni network — a growing community of African researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and leaders connected to Oxford’s resources and committed to the continent’s development. This network provides mentorship, career support, and peer collaboration long after your studies end.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship at Oxford is a full-cost scholarship — it covers every significant expense associated with your master’s studies. Here is the complete breakdown:
Financial Coverage
- ✅ Full tuition fees — all academic costs for the duration of your master’s programme
- ✅ Living costs grant — at least the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate (£20,780 per year) to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses
- ✅ Return economy flight — travel to and from Oxford fully covered
- ✅ UK visa fees — application costs reimbursed
- ✅ Immigration Health Surcharge — NHS access fee covered
- ✅ Settling-in allowance — one-time payment to help you establish yourself in Oxford
- ✅ Thrive Fund — an emergency fund for unexpected financial needs during your studies
Programme Benefits Beyond Funding
- 🎯 Leadership and Impact Programme — a bespoke leadership curriculum running throughout your first year
- 🎯 Ubuntu Period of Service — after completing your master’s, scholars are supported in taking up 4–6 month placements with leading Africa-based organisations, governments, NGOs, or research institutions
- 🎯 Mentorship from AfOx Fellows — access to AfOx Research and Innovation Fellows and a network of research leaders and entrepreneurs
- 🎯 Career support — professional development guidance and employer connections
- 🎯 Oxford University alumni membership — lifelong access to the Oxford alumni network
- 🎯 Mastercard Foundation Scholars alumni network — a global community of African leaders
The Ubuntu Period of Service
This is one of the most distinctive features of the Oxford AfOx scholarship — and one that separates it from every other scholarship programme. After completing your master’s, you are supported to take up a 4–6 month placement with a leading African organisation: a startup, a multinational development agency, a government ministry, an NGO, or a research institution.
This “Ubuntu Period of Service” is not just a nice addition. It is a deliberate, structured commitment to ensuring that your Oxford education is applied directly to Africa’s development before you transition into your long-term career. It connects academic excellence to real-world impact in a way that very few scholarship programmes do.
Who Is Eligible?
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship is open to students from every African country — making it one of the most accessible Mastercard scholarships in existence. There is no country-by-country restriction.
✅ You Are Eligible If You:
- Are a citizen of any African country
- Are ordinarily resident in an African country — temporary absence for study or work is accepted; displaced persons and refugees are specifically included
- Have applied for and received a conditional offer from the University of Oxford for your chosen eligible course
- Have not previously completed a graduate degree
- Demonstrate leadership and community service in your background
- Show how your work contributes to addressing Africa’s challenges — including pandemics, climate change, and youth employment
- Align with AfOx values of collegiality, empathy, commitment, transparency, and inclusivity
The Programme Specifically Emphasises:
- Female scholars — women are particularly encouraged to apply
- Refugees and internally displaced persons — specific provisions and residency considerations in place
- People living with disabilities — full support and accommodations provided
- Students from historically underrepresented communities across Africa
For the MBA Stream (Saïd Business School):
- Must be an African national, ordinarily resident in Africa
- Must demonstrate commitment to Africa’s development
- Must apply for the Oxford MBA by the official graduate application deadline
- No separate scholarship application is needed — shortlisted MBA applicants are contacted by the University
❌ Courses That Are NOT Eligible for the Standard Stream:
- MBA (covered by the separate Saïd Business School stream)
- Any course longer than one year
- Part-time courses
All full-time, one-year taught master’s degrees at Oxford — LLMs, MPhils, MRes, and MSc programmes across virtually every faculty — are eligible for the standard scholarship stream.
Eligible Fields of Study
The programme particularly supports disciplines aligned with Africa’s development priorities and the four AfOx themes:
Healthy People — health sciences, public health, epidemiology, medicine and pandemic preparedness
Integrated Societies — governance, public policy, international development, law, political science, education
Green Futures — environmental science, climate policy, sustainable energy, water management, food systems and agriculture
Innovation for Prosperity — entrepreneurship, computer science, economics, data science, engineering, business
The programme is designed to fund scholars in fields where their knowledge will directly address Africa’s most pressing challenges. When choosing your course, consider how it connects to one of these four themes — and be prepared to articulate that connection in your scholarship statement.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
The application process for the non-MBA stream is built directly into Oxford’s graduate admissions system. Here is exactly how it works:
Step 1 — Identify Your Course and Check Its Deadline
Visit Oxford’s graduate admissions portal and identify your chosen course. Every course has its own application deadline — and funding deadlines often fall in early December or January, significantly earlier than standard deadlines. Check your course’s specific funding deadline before anything else.
Step 2 — Check Eligibility for an Application Fee Waiver
Oxford charges a £75 application fee. Many African students can apply for a fee waiver. Contact the AfOx team at the email provided on the official AfOx website if you are concerned about the application fee.
Step 3 — Apply to Oxford via the Graduate Admissions Portal
Submit your full graduate course application by the funding deadline for your course. This is your primary application — it includes your academic transcripts, references, research proposal or personal statement (as required by your course), and English language test scores.
Step 4 — Indicate Interest in AfOx Funding
During your application, you will have the opportunity to indicate your interest in scholarship funding. Select the AfOx/Mastercard Foundation scholarship option where it appears.
Step 5 — Receive a Conditional Course Offer
Your department reviews your application and makes conditional offers on a rolling basis. Selection at this stage is based on your academic application.
Step 6 — Complete the AfOx Graduate Scholarship Questionnaire
Once you receive a conditional offer from your course, you will be invited by the AfOx team to complete the AfOx Graduate Scholarship questionnaire. This is your scholarship application — it is not submitted at the time of your course application but only after you receive a departmental offer.
The questionnaire asks about your commitment to Africa’s development, your leadership experiences, and your plans for impact after Oxford. This is where the scholarship decision is largely made.
Step 7 — Virtual Interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited to a virtual interview before final decisions are made. Timelines for interviews are communicated at the shortlisting stage.
Step 8 — Final Decision
Selection is expected to be completed by August 2026 for the 2026/27 cohort.
For the MBA Stream (Saïd Business School):
- Apply for the Oxford MBA by the official graduate application deadline (7 January 2026 was the most recent deadline — check the Saïd Business School website for current dates)
- No separate scholarship application is required
- Shortlisted MBA applicants are contacted directly by the University for interviews
Application Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Apply for Oxford course (funding deadline) | Early December or early January |
| Departmental academic selection | December – February |
| AfOx Scholarship questionnaire | After receiving conditional course offer |
| Virtual interviews (shortlisted) | To be communicated at interview stage |
| Final scholarship decisions | By August 2026 |
| Programme start | October 2026 |
How to Write a Winning AfOx Scholarship Questionnaire
The AfOx scholarship questionnaire is where you make your case as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar. Here is how to approach it.
Connect your work to Africa’s four themes. The programme is explicitly organised around Healthy People, Integrated Societies, Green Futures, and Innovation for Prosperity. Show clearly which of these themes your academic and professional work aligns with — and be specific about how.
Demonstrate leadership through action, not title. The programme values community leadership in any form. A student who organised community health education in a rural area, who mentored younger students, who launched a small social enterprise, or who advocated for policy change demonstrates leadership. Share a real, specific story.
Show you have thought about the Ubuntu Period of Service. What type of African organisation would you want to work with for your 4–6 month placement? In what country? Doing what? Scholars who have genuinely thought about this demonstrate a seriousness of purpose that generic applicants cannot match.
Be honest about your background. The programme specifically welcomes scholars from challenging circumstances — financial hardship, displacement, disability, gender-based barriers. If these have shaped your journey, share them authentically. The panel values resilience and context alongside academic excellence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Missing the funding deadline. The most critical error. Apply by your course’s funding deadline — not the standard deadline, which is usually much later. Once the funding deadline passes, you cannot be considered for the scholarship.
Applying for an ineligible course. Non-MBA postgraduate courses of more than one year are not eligible. Part-time courses are not eligible. Confirm your course type before applying.
Not having a previous graduate degree — or having one. You must not have previously completed a graduate degree. This is a firm eligibility requirement.
Submitting a generic scholarship questionnaire. With 400 scholar slots over several years and hundreds of applicants per cycle, generic language is immediately recognisable and immediately forgettable. Be specific, personal, and concrete.
Confusing the MBA and non-MBA streams. They have separate processes. The MBA stream requires no separate scholarship application — shortlisted MBA applicants are contacted directly. The non-MBA stream requires the AfOx questionnaire after receiving a course offer.
About the Mastercard Foundation and Africa Oxford Initiative
The Mastercard Foundation is one of the world’s largest private foundations, with total assets exceeding $40 billion and a mission focused on enabling young Africans to access dignified and fulfilling work. Through its Young Africa Works strategy, it aims to enable 30 million young Africans — particularly young women — to access opportunities by 2030.
The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) is a platform that connects Oxford University’s research, teaching, and expertise to Africa’s development challenges. It brings together academics, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and policymakers committed to building collaborative solutions to the continent’s most pressing problems.
Together, their partnership at Oxford represents a significant and sustained investment in Africa’s human capital — one that recognises that the continent’s most valuable resource is not its land or its minerals, but its people.
Final Thoughts
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship 2026 at the University of Oxford is, simply put, one of the most extraordinary educational opportunities available to any young African today.
A fully funded master’s degree at the world’s top-ranked university. A bespoke leadership programme. A structured post-graduation placement in Africa. A lifelong global network. And the expectation — shared by the Mastercard Foundation, AfOx, and Oxford — that you will take everything you gain and build something meaningful for Africa.
This scholarship does not ask for perfection. It asks for genuine academic talent, honest financial need, authentic commitment to community, and a clear vision for how you will contribute to Africa’s future.
If that describes you — apply.
Visit the official AfOx website, check your course’s funding deadline, and begin your Oxford graduate application today.
For official details, visit:
👉 afox.ox.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program
For MBA scholarships, visit:
👉 sbs.ox.ac.uk/scholarships
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