The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for 2027/28 is a fully funded route to a UK postgraduate degree for Africans aged 35 or under (born on or after 1 January 1992) who are citizens and residents of an African country, or hold refugee status in one, and who can show leadership, barriers overcome and a commitment to tackling the climate crisis. You apply for the scholarship only, in two stages: a short Applicant Declaration Form that closes on 26 October 2026, then the main application that closes on 19 November 2026 (both at 5:00 PM UK time). Attending an information session was a required first step.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host | University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation |
| Study options | One-year on-campus Master’s in Scotland, or part-time online Master’s or postgraduate diploma |
| Age rule | 35 or under in the year the programme starts; for 2027/28, born on or after 1 January 1992 |
| Who can apply | Citizens and residents of an African country, or people with refugee status in one |
| Stage 1 deadline | Applicant Declaration Form: 26 October 2026, 5:00 PM UK time (it may close earlier) |
| Stage 2 deadline | Main application: 19 November 2026, 5:00 PM UK time |
| Programme start | September 2027 |
Who is eligible
- Academic level: you must qualify for admission to a listed Edinburgh programme, which generally means the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Residency: citizen and resident of an African country, or refugee status in an African country.
- Degree documents: a degree certificate and official final transcript must be uploaded with the application by 19 November 2026.
- Barriers: you have faced significant social, financial, personal, practical or health-related barriers to education and in your early career.
- Leadership: a track record of leadership and service in your community.
- Climate: experience, or at least a clear ambition, to make a meaningful impact on the climate crisis.
- Master’s route: you should not already have a postgraduate degree, and you should not be enrolled at another university while on the scholarship.
Applications are encouraged from women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and people with disabilities.
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Which route fits your degree level
| Your situation | What you can apply for |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree, no postgraduate degree | On-campus Master’s, online Master’s or online postgraduate diploma |
| Already hold a Master’s from an African university | Online postgraduate diploma only (you must graduate from your degree by 19 November 2026 if still studying) |
| Already hold any postgraduate qualification | Not eligible for the online Master’s or the on-campus Master’s |
Programmes on offer
On-campus scholars take a one-year full-time Master’s. The list of programmes is subject to change, so check the current list before choosing. Subjects listed for 2027/28 include Food Security, Sustainable Energy Systems, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Data, Inequality and Society, Operational Research, Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change Finance and Investment, Environment and Development, International Development and the Master of Public Health.
Online scholars study part-time, up to three years for a Master’s or up to two years for a diploma. Subjects include International Development, Climate Change Management, Data Science Technologies, Global Food Security and Nutrition, One Health, Social Justice and Community Action, Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health, Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Digital Education and Conservation Medicine. Some are Master’s only, so check each one.
Scholarship benefits
| Benefit | On-campus | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Full approved tuition | Full approved tuition, with no part paid by the scholar |
| Accommodation, travel and living costs | Accommodation, travel and a living cost stipend | Not applicable; an in-person gathering is included |
| Study materials and equipment | Study materials | Academic stipend for a laptop and quality internet access |
| Leadership training | Climate Leadership Programme and a week-long Climate Enterprise School | Climate Leadership Programme activities and the Climate Enterprise School |
| Support | Disability support based on assessed needs, plus transition support | A dedicated Online Coordinator, disability support and transition support |
How to apply, step by step
- Check the eligibility rules above and choose a programme.
- Attend a mandatory virtual information session. Attending does not guarantee an invitation to apply. The 2027/28 sessions were held in September 2026 and registration has closed.
- Eligible attendees are invited to apply through the online application system.
- Complete the Applicant Declaration Form (26 October 2026, 5:00 PM UK time).
- Submit the main scholarship application with your degree certificate and official transcript (19 November 2026, 5:00 PM UK time).
- Wait for assessment, then interviews if shortlisted, then the University admission process for your degree.
You apply for the scholarship, not for the degree. Applications sent outside the online system are not accepted. The programme team can be reached at [email protected].
Timeline for the 2027/28 intake
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | Mandatory information sessions |
| 20 October 2026 | Eligible attendees notified and applications open |
| 26 October 2026 | Applicant Declaration Form closes |
| 19 November 2026 | Main application closes |
| Late November 2026 to January 2027 | Committee assessment |
| February to March 2027 | Admission decisions and interviews |
| End of March 2027 | Interview outcomes |
| April to August 2027 | Admission and immigration support |
| September 2027 | Programme starts |
The timeline can change depending on how many applications arrive, so confirm dates on the programme pages.
Tips for a stronger application
- Describe the barriers you faced in concrete terms and what you did about them.
- Give community leadership examples with results, not only job titles.
- Link your chosen programme to a specific climate-related goal back home.
- Prepare the certificate and official transcript early, since both must be uploaded.
Official application page of the Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
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Where to go next
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge 2027/2028
- Earlier Edinburgh postgraduate scholarship call for 2026/2027
- UBC Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholarship
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po in France
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