MASTERCARD SCHOLARSHIP 2026- University of Cambridge

Imagine studying for your master’s degree at the University of Cambridge — one of the oldest, most respected, and most academically powerful universities in the world — with every single cost covered. Tuition. Accommodation. Living expenses. Flights. Visa fees. A laptop. All of it.

That is exactly what the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge 2026 offers to talented young Africans who are committed to building a better future for the continent.

This is not just a scholarship. It is a life-changing programme designed to develop transformative leaders — people who will return to Africa equipped not only with world-class academic credentials but with the leadership skills, global networks, and clarity of purpose to drive real and lasting change.

This complete guide covers everything you need to know: what the scholarship offers, who qualifies, which courses are eligible, how the application process works, and exactly what you need to do to give yourself the best possible chance of being selected.

What Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is a landmark partnership between the Mastercard Foundation — one of the world’s largest private foundations — and the University of Cambridge, established in 2022.

The programme aims to enrol over 500 African scholars between 2023 and 2030, providing them with fully funded opportunities to complete master’s degrees at Cambridge and develop as transformative leaders committed to climate resilience, sustainability, and Africa’s development.

Applications for 2026/27 entry are open. The programme begins in October 2026, with funding deadlines falling in early December 2025 or early January 2026 depending on your chosen course — which means if you are reading this and planning to apply for 2026/27 entry, you need to act with urgency.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Scholarship Name	Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge
Host University	University of Cambridge
Host Country	United Kingdom
Scholarship Type	Fully Funded
Study Level	Master’s (one year)
Eligible Applicants	Citizens of ALL African countries
Programme Start	October 2026
Application Opens	September each year
Funding Deadline	Early December or early January (course-dependent)
Selection Announced	March/April
Official Website	mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk
Contact	applications@mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk

Why the University of Cambridge?

The University of Cambridge needs very little introduction — but understanding what it truly represents helps you understand the magnitude of this opportunity.

Ranked Among the World’s Top 5 Universities

Cambridge is consistently ranked among the top 3–5 universities in the entire world in every major global ranking system. A Cambridge master’s degree is one of the most internationally recognised and respected academic credentials on the planet. For African graduates, it opens doors in government, international organisations, research institutions, private sector leadership, and entrepreneurship — across the continent and globally.

800 Years of Academic Excellence

Founded in 1209, Cambridge has over 800 years of academic tradition. It has produced more Nobel Prize winners than most countries — and its research has shaped medicine, science, law, economics, technology, and governance in ways that affect billions of people. As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Cambridge, you study within that tradition.

31 Historic Colleges

Cambridge’s unique college system means that as a scholar, you are not just admitted to a university — you are admitted to one of 31 historic colleges, each with its own community, dining hall, library, and support networks. Your college becomes your home, your social community, and an important part of your Cambridge identity.

World-Leading Research Environment

Cambridge is a genuine research powerhouse. Whatever your field — from public health and food systems to governance, data science, or environmental policy — you will be taught by academics at the absolute frontier of global knowledge in their disciplines.

The Cambridge Network

The Cambridge alumni network spans the world and includes heads of government, Nobel laureates, CEOs, scientists, artists, and change-makers in every sector. For African graduates returning home with a Cambridge degree and a Mastercard Foundation Scholars connection, this network is an extraordinary professional asset.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge is fully funded — meaning it removes every financial barrier to your studies. Here is exactly what is included:

Financial Coverage

✅ Full tuition fees — all academic costs completely covered
✅ Monthly maintenance allowance — to cover accommodation, food, and daily living expenses
✅ Return economy flight — travel to and from Cambridge covered
✅ Visa application fees — UK student visa costs reimbursed
✅ Immigration Health Surcharge — NHS access fee covered
✅ Laptop — provided to all scholars
✅ Study materials — academic resources and books
✅ Application fee waiver — African students can apply for a fee waiver for the Cambridge course application

Programme Benefits Beyond Funding

🎯 Leadership and Impact Programme — structured leadership development throughout your studies
🎯 Mentorship support — access to AfOx Research and Innovation Fellows and expert mentors
🎯 Career support — professional development and career guidance
🎯 Pan-African scholar community — connections with Mastercard Foundation Scholars globally
🎯 Cambridge University alumni membership — lifelong access to the Cambridge alumni network
🎯 Mastercard Foundation Scholars alumni network — a community of African leaders across the world

Who Is Eligible?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge is open to students from all African countries — making it one of the most broadly accessible Mastercard scholarship opportunities available.

✅ 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, and displaced persons and refugees are specifically included
Are applying for a full-time master’s course of up to one year at the University of Cambridge
Meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen course — some courses require the equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree, others an upper second-class (2:1)
Demonstrate a genuine commitment to giving back to your community, home country, or Africa more broadly
Show alignment with the programme’s themes of sustainability and climate resilience

The Programme Actively Encourages Applications From:

Women — particularly encouraged to apply
Refugees and internally displaced persons — specific provisions made
People living with disabilities — full support provided
Students from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities across Africa

❌ Courses That Are NOT Eligible:

MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Master of Corporate Law (MCL)
Master of Finance (MFin)

All other full-time master’s programmes of up to one year are eligible — LLMs, MPhils, MRes degrees, and MSc programmes across virtually every faculty.

Eligible Courses and Fields of Study

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge covers an extraordinarily wide range of master’s programmes. You can study virtually any full-time one-year master’s degree at Cambridge — from sciences and engineering to humanities, law, public policy, education, and beyond.

The programme particularly emphasises disciplines aligned with Africa’s most pressing development challenges:

Food Systems and Agriculture — addressing hunger, nutrition, and sustainable food production
Health Sciences and Public Health — strengthening healthcare systems and pandemic preparedness
Sustainable Water and Energy — advancing climate resilience and environmental solutions
Governance and Public Policy — developing transparent, inclusive institutions
Entrepreneurship and Innovation — fostering job creation and economic growth
Computer Science and Technology — building digital infrastructure and innovation
Law — strengthening rule of law and access to justice
Economics and Development — driving inclusive economic growth
Education — expanding access to quality learning across Africa

Use the Cambridge postgraduate course directory at postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk to find your chosen course, check its entry requirements, and confirm its funding deadline before applying.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

The application process at Cambridge is built directly into the university’s postgraduate admission system. Here is exactly how it works:

Step 1 — Check Your Eligibility

Before anything else, visit the official programme website at mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk and confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria for both the university and the scholarship.

Step 2 — Check Your Degree Against Cambridge’s Entry Requirements

Use Cambridge’s international qualifications checker at postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-qualifications to verify that your undergraduate degree meets the entry requirements for your chosen course. Different courses have different academic thresholds — some require a first-class equivalent, others require an upper second-class.

Step 3 — Apply for an Application Fee Waiver (If Needed)

Cambridge charges an application fee. However, many African students are eligible for a fee waiver. Submit the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Fee Waiver Request Form by the 15th of November deadline. You will receive a decision by email. If granted, you will not be asked to pay the fee.

Step 4 — Open Your Chosen Course in the Cambridge Course Directory

Go to the postgraduate course directory, find your course, and click “Apply Now”. Create an account — you can save and return to your application at any time.

Step 5 — Opt In for Funding and Select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

During your application, you will be asked whether you wish to opt in for funding. Select yes. You will then see all funding options you may be eligible for. If you meet your course’s entry requirements, you will be able to select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program from the list.

Step 6 — Submit Your Scholarship Statement

You will be asked to submit a scholarship statement focusing on:

Your commitment to giving back to your community, home country, or Africa
How your studies align with the themes of sustainability and climate resilience
Your leadership experiences and future plans for impact

This statement is a central part of your scholarship selection — write it with care, specificity, and genuine personal reflection.

Step 7 — Submit Before Your Course’s Funding Deadline

This is critical. The funding deadline at Cambridge is significantly earlier than the standard application deadline. Depending on your course, it falls in either:

Early December (for courses with a December deadline)
Early January (for courses with a January deadline)

Missing the funding deadline means you cannot be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, even if you later receive a course offer. Always check your specific course’s funding deadline in the course directory before you begin your application.

Step 8 — Departmental Academic Selection

After the deadline, your department reviews your application and makes course offers on a rolling basis between December and February. Selection at this stage is based on your course application, not your scholarship statement. Some departments conduct interviews.

Step 9 — Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Selection

Once you receive a departmental offer, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars team reviews your full application — including your scholarship statement. Scholars are selected based on both their academic application and their scholarship statement. Scholarship offers are typically made in March or April.

Application Timeline

Stage	Date
Applications open	September each year
Fee waiver request deadline	15 November
Funding deadline (December courses)	Early December
Funding deadline (January courses)	Early January
Departmental academic selection	December – February
Mastercard Foundation Scholar selection	Late February – April
Outstanding documents deadline	31 July
Programme start	October 2026

How to Write a Winning Scholarship Statement

Your scholarship statement is where the Mastercard Foundation Scholars team evaluates whether you are the right fit for this programme. Here is how to approach it.

Be genuinely specific about your commitment to Africa. Do not write vague statements about wanting to “give back” or “make a difference.” Name the specific challenge you are focused on. Name the sector, the country, the community, the problem. The more concrete your commitment, the more credible and compelling it becomes.

Connect your studies to Africa’s development. Show explicitly how the master’s programme you have chosen connects to Africa’s needs — whether that is in climate resilience, public health, food security, governance, or technology. The programme is looking for scholars whose academic goals are genuinely aligned with the continent’s development priorities.

Demonstrate leadership through real stories. Leadership does not require a title. It requires action. Share a specific example of a time you took initiative, solved a problem, or made a positive difference in your community. Real stories with real details are far more compelling than general claims.

Show a clear plan for what you will do after Cambridge. Where will you go? What will you do? Who will benefit? Scholars who have thought seriously about the “after” — and can articulate it — stand out from those who focus only on what they want to gain from the programme.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing the funding deadline. The most common and most devastating mistake. The funding deadline is weeks or months earlier than the standard application deadline. Missing it means you cannot be considered for the scholarship regardless of your academic merit.

Not applying for a fee waiver in time. The waiver request must be submitted by 15 November. If you need a waiver, do not leave this until the last minute.

Choosing an ineligible course. MBA, MAcc, MCL, and MFin programmes are explicitly excluded. Check your course’s eligibility before you begin your application.

Writing a generic scholarship statement. The team reads hundreds of statements. Generic language about wanting to help Africa will not distinguish you. Be specific, be personal, be honest.

Not checking your degree’s equivalency. Use Cambridge’s international qualifications checker to confirm your degree meets the entry requirements for your chosen course before you invest time in the application.

Final Thoughts

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is one of the most prestigious, comprehensive, and genuinely transformative scholarship opportunities available to African students anywhere in the world. A fully funded master’s degree at Cambridge. A global alumni network. Leadership training. And the expectation — not merely the hope — that you will return to Africa and build something meaningful.

If you are an African student with academic excellence, a genuine commitment to your continent’s future, and the drive to pursue that commitment at one of the world’s greatest universities, this programme was designed for you.

Check your course’s funding deadline. Apply before it closes. Your future — and Africa’s — is worth it.

For official details and application, visit:
👉 mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk

For inquiries, contact:
📧 applications@mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026 at University of Cambridge: Fully Funded for African Students — Complete Guide