University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 | Fully Funded
The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 offers fully funded postgraduate study opportunities at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland for eligible young Africans who have experienced significant barriers to education and demonstrate leadership, community service, and a commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
The program supports both on-campus postgraduate study and online postgraduate study. Eligible scholars can receive substantial financial and academic support while joining a wider community focused on leadership, climate action, and positive social impact.
For the 2027/28 intake, the University of Edinburgh has introduced a new application process. Prospective applicants must first attend a mandatory virtual information session before they can access the scholarship application. Information sessions are scheduled between 15 and 24 September 2026, while the Applicant Declaration Form closes on 19 October 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time. The main scholarship application deadline is 19 November 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time.
Quick Answer
The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship for talented young Africans aged 35 or under who have faced significant barriers to education. It covers full tuition, accommodation, travel, living stipend, and study materials for on-campus Master’s degrees, and provides online postgraduate scholarships for those studying remotely. The main application deadline is November 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time.
Details About the Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Host University: University of Edinburgh
- Scholarship Partner: Mastercard Foundation
- Degree Types: One-year on-campus Master’s / Online Master’s (3 years part-time) / Online Postgraduate Diploma (2 years part-time)
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Open To: African citizens and residents aged 35 or under
- New Requirement: Mandatory virtual information session before application
- Applicant Declaration Form Deadline: October 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time
- Main Application Deadline: November 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time
Also check: Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 — Fully Funded Postgraduate at Cambridge UK
Scholarship Benefits
The Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship provides one of the most complete funding packages available to postgraduate students in the UK. Furthermore, benefits differ between on-campus and online scholarship tracks.
- Full Tuition Fees: Complete coverage of all approved tuition fees for the one-year Master’s program
- Accommodation: On-campus accommodation provided in Edinburgh for the full study period
- Travel: International travel to and from Edinburgh covered
- Living Cost Stipend: A monthly allowance to cover personal and daily living expenses in Edinburgh
- Study Materials: All required academic materials and resources covered
- Climate Leadership Programme: Structured climate leadership training, placements, workshops, and entrepreneurship pathways
- Climate Enterprise School: An intensive week-long program in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
- Disability Support: Additional tailored support for scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs
- Transitions Support: Support for transitioning from study into impactful climate leadership roles
Online Scholarship Benefits
- Full Tuition Fees: Complete tuition coverage for the online Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma program
- Technology Stipend: A stipend for laptop and reliable internet access
- In-Person Gathering: Access to at least one in-person gathering with the broader scholars community
- Ongoing Coaching: Structured coaching and professional development workshops throughout the program
Also check: Oxford Pershing Square Scholarships 2027 — Fully Funded MBA at Oxford UK
Eligible On-Campus Master’s Programmes
The on-campus scholarship is available for one-year full-time postgraduate taught Master’s degrees in the following programmes only. Check the official Edinburgh website regularly as programmes are subject to change.
- MSc Africa and International Development — School of Social and Political Science
- MSc Food Security — Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in partnership with the University of Edinburgh
- MSc Sustainable Energy Systems — School of Engineering
- MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation — Edinburgh Business School
- MSc Data, Inequality and Society — Edinburgh Futures Institute
- MSc Operational Research — School of Mathematics
- MSc Environmental Sustainability — School of Geosciences
- MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment — Edinburgh Business School
- MSc Planetary Health — Edinburgh Futures Institute
- MSc Environment and Development — School of Geosciences
Eligible Online Postgraduate Programmes
The online scholarship track is available for part-time distance learning postgraduate programmes. Check the official Edinburgh website for the full and current list of eligible online programmes.
Also check: Rhodes Scholarship 2027 — Fully Funded Postgraduate at University of Oxford
Eligibility Criteria
The program targets talented young Africans who have demonstrated academic ability, leadership, and a commitment to creating impact in their communities despite significant barriers. Review every condition carefully before registering for an information session.
- Citizenship and Residency: Must be a citizen and resident of an African country, or hold refugee status in an African country
- Age: Must be 35 years old or under in the year the program commences — for 2027/28, applicants must have been born on or after January 1, 1992
- Academic Standard: Must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh — generally equivalent to a UK Second Class Upper (2:1) Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Degree Completion: Must have graduated from an undergraduate degree and be able to upload a degree certificate and official final transcript by November 19, 2026
- Barriers to Education: Must have faced significant barriers to education and early career — social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related
- Leadership: Must demonstrate a track record of transformative leadership and community service
- Climate Commitment: Must demonstrate experience or at least strong ambition in making a meaningful impact on the climate crisis
- Masters Applicants: Must not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and must not be enrolled or applying at a separate university during the scholarship
- Online Postgraduate Diploma Applicants: May hold either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from an African university, provided they graduate by November 19, 2026
Who Is NOT Eligible
Before investing time in your application, confirm you do not fall into any of the following categories.
- Applicants born before January 1, 1992 (over 35 years old when the program commences)
- Candidates who cannot provide a degree certificate and official final transcript by November 19, 2026
- Applicants who are not citizens and residents of an African country, or do not hold refugee status in an African country
- Master’s applicants who have already completed a postgraduate degree
- Candidates who do not meet the academic standard equivalent to a UK 2:1 Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Applicants who have not attended a mandatory virtual information session before submitting
Selection Criteria
The Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation selection panel evaluates all applications against five core criteria simultaneously.
- Academic merit and qualification for admission to the University of Edinburgh
- Track record as a transformative leader with community service experience
- Quality of application in line with the program’s theme of climate justice
- Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country
- Evidence of significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related)
Application Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Guidance Published | August 13, 2026 |
| Eligible Attendees Notified About Information Sessions | October 13, 2026 |
| Applicant Declaration Form Deadline | October 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time |
| Main Scholarship Application Deadline | November 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time |
| Expected Scholarship Offers | March 2027 |
| University Admission Applications | After scholarship offers issued |
| Program Start | September 2027 |
How to Apply for the Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28
The 2027/28 application process has changed significantly. Therefore, follow every step in the exact order below — skipping any stage will prevent you from accessing the application form.
- Check Your Eligibility: Review every eligibility condition carefully on the official Edinburgh website before proceeding — confirm your age, citizenship, academic level, and degree completion status
- Register for a Mandatory Information Session: Visit the official program website and register for one of the scheduled virtual information sessions — attendance is compulsory before you can access the scholarship application form
- Attend Your Information Session: Participate in the full virtual session — eligible attendees are notified about invitations to apply from October 13, 2026
- Complete the Applicant Declaration Form: Submit the Applicant Declaration Form before October 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time — this is a mandatory step before the main application opens
- Access the Main Application Form: Once your declaration is confirmed, access the official scholarship application through the program portal
- Complete the Main Application: Fill in all required fields, upload your undergraduate degree certificate and official final transcript, and answer all application questions carefully
- Submit Before the Deadline: Submit your completed main application before November 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time
- Await Scholarship Offers: Successful candidates receive scholarship offers around March 2027 and are then invited to apply for university admission through Edinburgh’s standard admissions process
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The on-campus scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, travel, living stipend, and study materials. The online scholarship covers full tuition and provides a technology stipend for laptop and internet access.
Who can apply for the Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28?
Citizens and residents of African countries, or those holding refugee status in an African country, aged 35 or under (born on or after January 1, 1992) who have completed an undergraduate degree and demonstrate leadership, barriers to education, and a commitment to climate justice.
Is there an IELTS requirement?
Yes. As a UK university, the University of Edinburgh requires English language proficiency for non-native speakers. Check the specific requirements for your chosen programme and country on the Edinburgh website.
Do I need admission to Edinburgh before applying for the scholarship?
No. Successful scholarship candidates receive their scholarship offer first in March 2027, then apply for university admission through Edinburgh’s standard process afterward.
What is the Applicant Declaration Form deadline?
The Applicant Declaration Form must be submitted by October 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time. This step is mandatory before you can access the main scholarship application form.
The main scholarship application closes on November 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time.
Yes. For the 2027/28 cycle, attendance at a mandatory virtual information session is required before you can access the scholarship application form. This is a new requirement introduced for this cycle.
Yes. The program is open to all eligible applicants. However, the program especially encourages applications from women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and people with disabilities.
