University of Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027 in UK

The University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program stands as one of the most significant fully funded postgraduate opportunities available to talented young people from across Africa. Established in 2022, the programme aims to enable 500 outstanding African students to complete a master’s degree at Cambridge by 2030. It goes beyond covering academic costs. The initiative focuses on developing transformative leaders who will contribute to climate resilience and sustainability across the African continent and beyond.

Applications for the 2027/2028 academic year are now open. Successful scholars will begin their studies in October 2027. The programme is designed for students who demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership potential, and a clear commitment to giving back to their communities and to Africa more broadly. Women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, reflecting the programme’s strong emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Scholarship Summary

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge is part of a global effort by the Mastercard Foundation to expand access to quality education for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Africa. The Foundation’s broader mission is to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper, regardless of their starting point in life. Education, skills training, and financial inclusion are seen as key pathways out of poverty.

At Cambridge, the programme specifically centres on the themes of climate resilience and sustainability. These challenges demand expertise from many disciplines. For this reason, scholars can apply to most full-time one-year master’s courses offered by the University. The only exclusions are the Master of Accountancy (MACC), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Corporate Law (MCL), and Master of Finance (MFIN).

By 2030 the programme expects to have supported 500 scholars. Cohorts have grown steadily since the first group of 16 students in 2022. Recent intakes have included students from more than 20 African countries studying dozens of different courses, approaching the complex issues of climate and sustainability from many angles.

Scholars join more than a funding scheme. They become part of a supportive community of young African leaders. A week-long orientation helps new arrivals settle in and meet fellow scholars and alumni. Throughout the year, monthly socials, a weekend retreat, a summer gathering, and other events strengthen connections. Scholars also benefit from mentoring, a leadership development programme delivered with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, a short social ventures course, and practical guidance on life after the master’s degree. Many receive support for a three-to-six-month placement with an Africa-based organisation after their studies.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge, applicants must meet several clear criteria:

Hold a bachelor’s degree.
Meet the academic entry requirements of the chosen master’s course. Many courses require the equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree; others accept a strong upper second-class degree. Applicants should carefully check the specific requirements for their course using the University’s postgraduate course directory and the international qualifications checker.
Be a citizen of an African country.
Be ordinarily resident in an African country. Temporary absence for study or work is acceptable if the applicant intends to return. Exceptions apply for those who are internally displaced or hold refugee status.
Apply for an eligible full-time master’s course lasting up to one year (courses of nine to twelve months are acceptable).
Demonstrate a genuine commitment to contributing to their community, home country, or Africa more generally, with particular emphasis on sustainability and climate resilience.

There is no upper age limit. The programme actively seeks applicants from under-represented groups and those who have faced significant barriers to education.

What the Scholarship Covers

The scholarship is fully funded and aims to remove financial barriers so that scholars can focus fully on their studies and personal development. Benefits typically include:

Full coverage of course fees (tuition).
A monthly maintenance or living allowance.
Return airfare to the United Kingdom.
Cost of a laptop.
Student visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Travel costs upon arrival in Cambridge (such as a taxi from the airport).
In some cases, an allowance for accompanying dependent children.

Additional non-financial support includes the orientation programme, mentoring, leadership training, career planning assistance, and the opportunity for a post-study placement in Africa. This comprehensive package is designed to help scholars thrive academically, socially, and professionally during their time in Cambridge and after they return home or move into further opportunities.

Application Process and Timeline

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application is fully integrated into the standard University of Cambridge postgraduate course application. There is no separate scholarship application form. Applicants must therefore follow the regular admissions process carefully and pay close attention to funding deadlines, which are earlier than standard course deadlines.

Key steps include:

Identify a suitable eligible master’s course using the University’s postgraduate course directory. Note the specific entry requirements, required supporting documents, and the funding deadline for that course.
Check whether your current bachelor’s degree meets Cambridge’s academic standards via the international qualifications checker.
Create an account and begin the online application for your chosen course.
Request an application fee waiver if needed. All applicants who meet the academic entry requirements of their course are eligible for a waiver. For applicants from certain African countries the waiver is automatic. Others must submit a fee waiver request form (with transcript and passport) by the stated deadline, typically mid-November. Only one fee waiver is granted per applicant.
Within the application, select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program when prompted and complete the required supplementary statement. This statement should address your educational and career history, leadership potential, how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals, and how you intend to contribute to sustainable and climate-resilient futures in Africa.
Choose a College preference. Colleges provide accommodation, meals, and small-group teaching, and form an important part of the Cambridge experience.
Submit the complete application by the course’s funding deadline. These deadlines are generally in early December or early January (for the 2027/2028 intake, commonly around 5 December 2026 or 5 January 2027, depending on the course).

After submission, departments assess academic suitability (typically between December and February). The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program selection process then takes place in late February or early March. Scholarship offers are usually issued in March or April. Successful candidates may still need to provide outstanding documents, such as English language test results (IELTS scores of 7.0 or 7.5 overall are common requirements), by a later deadline, often the end of July.

Applicants are strongly advised not to pay third parties for application assistance. Free guidance is available through the official programme website, webinars, and University resources.

Selection Criteria

Selection is competitive and holistic. In addition to meeting the formal eligibility rules and securing an academic offer from the relevant department, candidates are assessed on:

Outstanding intellectual ability.
Demonstrated leadership potential.
A clear desire and realistic plan to contribute to climate-resilient and sustainable futures for Africa and the wider world.
Commitment to giving back to their communities.

The programme values diversity of background, experience, and perspective. Strong applications typically show both academic excellence and a genuine connection between the applicant’s past experiences, chosen course of study, and future impact plans.

Why This Opportunity Matters

For many talented African students, the cost of a world-class master’s degree remains a major barrier. The Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program removes that barrier while embedding scholars in a global academic community and a network of African changemakers. Graduates leave with advanced knowledge, expanded professional networks, leadership skills, and a strengthened sense of purpose focused on sustainability challenges that affect the continent disproportionately.

Climate change, resource management, sustainable development, public health, education, governance, and related fields all require highly skilled professionals who understand African contexts. By supporting scholars across a wide range of disciplines, the programme helps build the human capital needed for long-term solutions.

Practical Tips for Applicants

Start early. Research courses thoroughly and allow time to gather transcripts, references, and a strong personal statement.
Align your application narrative with the programme themes of climate resilience and sustainability, even if your course is in a related field such as engineering, public policy, education, or the sciences.
Be authentic in the scholarship statement. Selection panels look for genuine commitment rather than generic claims.
Check English language requirements early and plan any necessary tests.
Attend official webinars if available; these provide direct insight into expectations and the application process.
Prepare for the possibility of a conditional offer that depends on final documents or language scores.

FAQs

Which courses can I apply for?

Most full-time one-year master’s courses at the University of Cambridge are eligible. The only exclusions are the Master of Accountancy (MACC), MBA, Master of Corporate Law (MCL), and Master of Finance (MFIN). Courses lasting nine to twelve months are acceptable.

Is there an age limit?

No. There is no upper age limit for the programme.

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship?

No. The scholarship application is built into the course application. You select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program option and complete the required statement within the same form.

Can I receive an application fee waiver for more than one course?

No. Only one application fee waiver is granted per applicant. Choose your strongest and most suitable course carefully.

What English language scores are required?

Requirements vary by course. Many ask for an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or 7.5. You can often submit your application without the test results and provide them later if you receive a conditional offer. Always check the specific course page.

Can I apply if I am temporarily living outside Africa?

Yes, provided you can show the absence is temporary for study or work and you intend to return, or if you have refugee or internally displaced person status.

Does the scholarship cover family members?

In some cases an allowance for accompanying dependent children may be available. Details are confirmed with successful scholars.

When will I know if I have been selected?

Academic decisions are made by departments between December and February. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program decisions and offers typically follow in March or April.

Is the programme only for students interested in environmental science?

No. While the overarching themes are climate resilience and sustainability, scholars come from a wide range of disciplines. The key is demonstrating how your studies and future work will contribute to these goals.

Where can I find the most accurate and up-to-date information?

Always refer to the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website hosted by the University of Cambridge (mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk) and the University’s postgraduate admissions pages. Details can change slightly from year to year.

University of Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027 in UK | Application Guide