Cambridge University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge provides fully funded opportunities for talented students from across Africa to undertake a Master’s degree at Cambridge. The programme was established at Cambridge in 2022 and aims to support 500 African students to enrol in Master’s courses by 2030.

For the 2027/28 academic year, Cambridge's funding database lists approximately 80 awards. Scholars may apply to most full-time Master’s courses offered by the University, provided they meet the individual course's academic requirements.

The programme has a strong emphasis on climate resilience and sustainability. Applicants are expected to demonstrate commitment to contributing to their communities, their home countries or Africa more broadly, while the scholarship application also asks candidates to explain how they hope to contribute to sustainable futures in Africa.

The scholarship is also designed as a leadership-development programme rather than only financial support. Scholars participate in induction and leadership activities and become part of a wider community of African scholars and alumni. The current funding conditions also state that scholars participate in post-course programming at an African partner institution during the three to six months following their course.

The following programmes are excluded from Mastercard Foundation funding:

• Master of Accountancy (MAcc/MACC)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Corporate Law (MCL)
• Master of Finance (MFin/MFIN)

The programme is for Master’s students only and is not available for undergraduate or PhD study.

Applicants must:

• Hold a Bachelor's degree.
• Meet the academic entry requirements of their chosen Cambridge course.
• Be a citizen of an African country.
• Be resident in an African country. Applicants temporarily outside Africa for study or work may still be eligible, and the programme provides relevant exceptions relating to refugees and internally displaced persons.
• Apply for an eligible full-time Master’s course at the University of Cambridge.
• Not apply for the excluded MBA, MCL, MFin or MAcc programmes.
• Demonstrate commitment to giving back to their community, home country or Africa more generally.
• Demonstrate alignment with the programme's themes of sustainability and climate resilience.

Women, refugees, internally displaced persons and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. This encouragement does not mean that applicants outside these groups are ineligible.

Successful Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive confirmed support including:

• Full international tuition/course fees
• Maintenance/living allowance
• Student visa costs
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Travel to the United Kingdom
• Flight support
• Travel into Cambridge
• Laptop allowance
• Leadership-development activities
• Induction programme
• Access to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars community and programme activities

The scholarship is officially described by Cambridge as fully funded.

For the Cambridge postgraduate application, applicants should normally prepare:

• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates for completed degrees
• CV/résumé
• Details of two referees
• Two references submitted through Cambridge's Referee Portal
• Course-specific personal statement or statement of interest where required
• Other supporting documents required by the selected Master’s course
• Mastercard Foundation scholarship statement as part of the funding application

Depending on the selected course, applicants may also be required to provide:

• Research proposal
• Written work
• Other course-specific academic documents
• English-language test evidence where required

For applicants who need to request a Mastercard Foundation application fee waiver rather than receiving it automatically, Cambridge's programme guidance states that copies of the applicant's transcript and passport should be attached to the fee-waiver request.

English-language results are not required at initial application for most Cambridge courses. If an applicant receives a conditional offer, English evidence may be required later. Some courses have different rules, so applicants must check their individual course page.

Official Cambridge information indicates that scholarship selection considers:

• Academic merit
• Financial need
• Fit with programme values
• The quality and strength of the Cambridge course application
• The Mastercard Foundation scholarship statement
• Leadership potential
• The applicant's goals and aspirations
• Commitment to contributing to sustainable futures in Africa

Before scholarship selection, the relevant Cambridge department assesses the academic application. University admission assessment may consider academic record and potential, availability of places, research fit and supervisor availability where relevant.

• Study at Cambridge: Scholars undertake a full-time Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge.
• Leadership development: The programme combines academic study with leadership activities and termly leadership sessions.
• African scholar community: Scholars join an international community of Mastercard Foundation Scholars from across Africa.
• Sustainability focus: The programme connects academic development with climate resilience and sustainable futures for Africa.
• Professional development: Scholars receive structured support beyond their degree.
• Post-course engagement: Current scholarship conditions include post-course programming through an African partner institution.
• Long-term network: Programme events, orientation and alumni engagement provide opportunities to build lasting academic and professional relationships.