University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027-28

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is open for 2027/2028. It gives talented young Africans the chance to study a fully funded one-year master's degree at one of the world's best universities.

The programme's themes are climate resilience and sustainability.

What the scholarship covers

• Full tuition fees
• A monthly maintenance allowance for living costs
• Visa and immigration health surcharge (per the programme FAQ)
• Travel, including flights and transfer to Cambridge
• A laptop

Who can apply

• A citizen of an African country
• Living in Africa, unless you're temporarily away for study or work. Internally displaced people and refugees are exempt.
• Applying for a full-time master's course of about one year
• Meeting your course's academic requirements. Most courses ask for a first-class degree, and some accept a good second-class degree.
• A commitment to giving back and to sustainability and climate resilience in Africa
• Not eligible: dual African/UK citizens. The programme does not fund PhDs.

Excluded courses: MBA, Master of Corporate Law (MCL), Master of Finance (MFin), Master of Accounting (MAcc).

Key dates

• Information webinar: Tuesday 3 November 2026, 11:00 UK time (register on the programme page)
• Application fee waiver request, if your country isn't automatically covered: 18 November 2026
• Course application and funding deadline: usually early December or early January, depending on the course. Use the funding deadline, not the later standard deadline.
• Department selection: December to February
• Offers: late March or early April

You can apply without IELTS and get a conditional offer. English results are usually due by 31 July.

How to apply

1. Find a full-time one-year master's in the Cambridge course directory: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses
2. Click Apply Now and start your application.
3. Request an application fee waiver if your country isn't automatically covered.
4. In the funding section, opt in for funding and choose the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
5. Write your scholarship statement: your education and career, leadership potential, how the scholarship helps your goals, and how you'll contribute to sustainable futures in Africa.
6. Submit before your course's funding deadline.

Programme page: https://www.mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk/news/2027-applications-now-open

Tips

• Check your course's funding deadline today. Some courses close in early December.
• Link your scholarship statement clearly to climate and sustainability in your community.
• Strong academic references matter a lot at Cambridge.
• Cambridge warns: don't pay anyone to help with your application.