Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh (on-campus and online master's)
The University of Edinburgh (with the Mastercard Foundation)
Fully funded one-year on-campus MSc or part-time online MSc/PgDip at Edinburgh for young Africans (35 or under) who have overcome barriers to education and show leadership and climate ambition. 2027/28 round opens 13 Oct 2026.
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Eligibility
- Who can apply
- Africa
- Education required
- Bachelors completed
- Age
- up to 35 (35 or under in the year the programme commences; for 2027/28 entry, born on or after 1 January 1992)
- Fields
- Climate, Environment, Development studies, Energy, Agriculture, Public health, Entrepreneurship, Data science, Education, Social sciences
- Language
- No English test needed for the scholarship application; an English test may be required later for University admission depending on where you studied
- Residency
- Must be resident in an African country and a citizen of, or hold refugee status in, an African country (including North Africa)
- Also required
- Bachelor's degree equivalent to a UK Second Class (Upper) Honours or higher, with degree certificate and final transcript available
- Must not already hold a postgraduate degree (Masters routes); PgDip route accepts bachelor's or master's holders
- Faced significant barriers to education and early career (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related)
- Track record of leadership and service in your community
- Experience of, or ambition for, meaningful impact on the climate crisis
- Apply for either the on-campus OR the online route, not both
- Attend a mandatory online information session (15-24 September 2026) before applying
- Must not enrol at another university while on the scholarship
About this opportunity
Edinburgh's Mastercard Foundation scholarships fund climate- and sustainability-focused postgraduate study. On-campus scholars take a one-year MSc (e.g. Africa and International Development, Food Security, Sustainable Energy Systems, Climate Change Finance and Investment, Planetary Health); online scholars take a part-time MSc (up to 3 years) or PgDip (up to 2 years) such as Climate Change Management, One Health or Data Science Technologies. All join a Climate Leadership Programme.
Applicants must be residents and citizens of, or hold refugee status in, an African country; be 35 or under in the start year (born on or after 1 January 1992 for 2027/28); hold a bachelor's (normally UK 2:1 equivalent) with no prior postgraduate degree; and show leadership and community service. Apply for the scholarship first (two stages); apply to the degree only after a scholarship offer.
- Level
- Master's
- Where
- United Kingdom, Online
- Duration
- On-campus MSc: 1 year full-time; online MSc: part-time up to 3 years; online PgDip: part-time up to 2 years
- Difficulty
- Very high · about 6 weeks to prepare
Funding
Fully funded
- tuition
- accommodation
- travel
- stipend
- books
On-campus: full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, living-cost stipend and study materials, plus transitions and disability support. Online: full tuition fees, an academic stipend for a laptop and high-quality internet, an in-person gathering and a dedicated Online Coordinator.
What you will need
- Degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Reference letters (1)
Final official degree certificate and final official transcript must be uploaded; provide one referee's name and email (the reference is requested only after a successful application and interview). Apply only for the scholarship at this stage, not for the degree programme.
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