University of Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027 in the UK | How to Apply. Apply for fully funded scholarships here. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge represents a premier initiative in UK higher education. It aims to cultivate transformative leaders who drive sustainable development across the African continent. Focusing on climate resilience and global sustainability, the fellowship inspires scholars to generate transformative change through social innovation, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership development. Supported by the broader Young Africa Works initiative, this global partnership provides talented individuals with access to world-class postgraduate study. Candidates pursue a full-time, 1-year master’s degree designed to build academic rigour and practical problem-solving capabilities.
Summary Information
- University: University of Cambridge
- Degree Level: Master’s Degree (Full-Time One-Year Postgraduate Master’s)
- Scholarship Coverage: Fully Funded (Full Tuition Fees, Monthly Stipend, Flights, Visa, NHS Health Surcharge, Accommodation & Travel Allowances)
- Eligible Nationality: Citizens and Residents of African Countries
- Award Country: United Kingdom
- Last Date: January 5, 2027
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Overview of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge
The scholarship prioritises academic excellence while intentionally expanding access to under-represented groups. The programme actively recruits young women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities. Scholars emerge equipped with transformative leadership capabilities tailored to addressing the pressing issues of African development and global climate action. Beyond academic departments, students belong to historic Cambridge colleges, ensuring immersive international education supported by a fully funded scholarship. This merit-based award serves as a vital engine for institutional capacity building across developing nations.
Financial Benefits and Coverage of the Fellowship
Recipients receive complete financial support, covering full tuition fees and college composition costs directly. A generous monthly maintenance allowance provides a comfortable stipend to meet living costs and accommodation expenses in Cambridge. The grant includes round-trip return airfare to cover air travel from the scholar’s home country to the UK at the start and end of the programme. Students also receive an initial laptop allowance, settling-in funds, and an allowance for scholastic materials and books.
The award provides extensive health and travel protection, reimbursing mandatory visa fees and the UK NHS immigration health surcharge. Eligible applicants receive an application fee waiver, removing upfront costs during the admissions phase. Additional education grants, a dedicated travel grant for field research, and a settling-in allowance ensure a smooth transition. This comprehensive financial support removes the zero tuition burden and establishes a stable living stipend. By covering all university fees and college fees, the fellowship provides complete financial aid for talented African students pursuing study in the UK.
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Eligible Master’s Programmes and Academic Exclusions
Funding is available across a wide range of eligible master’s programmes, provided they are one-year full-time master’s courses offered by the university. Popular departments include engineering, computer science, environmental sciences, and specialised tracks focused on climate and sustainability. Applicants can also pursue degrees in development studies, social sciences, natural sciences, public policy, education, and the broader humanities. Every course selected must align with the core themes of sustainable development and community impact.
The scholarship explicitly excludes specific professional and post-experience business programmes. Applicants pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Corporate Law (MCL), Master of Finance (MFin), or Master of Accountancy (MAcc) are ineligible for this funding award. Furthermore, excluded courses include all part-time courses, professional courses, and clinical degree options. The scheme does not fund PhD programmes or multi-year doctoral degrees. Candidates must review the official postgraduate course directory across various academic faculties to confirm specific course entry requirements before submitting their application.
Eligibility Criteria for African Applicants
To qualify for the programme, candidates must hold African citizenship and reside within an African country. Individuals who are temporarily residing outside the continent for study or employment abroad remain eligible provided they can demonstrate their stay is temporary. Applicants must hold a completed bachelor’s degree that meets the specific academic entry requirements of their chosen postgraduate course. Depending on the academic department, entry criteria require either a UK first-class honours (equivalent to a 1st class degree) or an upper second-class degree (2:1 degree).
Selection places heavy emphasis on demonstrated leadership potential and a clear commitment to give back to one’s home community. Candidates must demonstrate how their future goals support sustainable futures in Africa and align with the programme’s climate resilience focus. The programme promotes women’s empowerment and actively supports forcibly displaced youth, offering specific flexibilities for candidates with refugee status or internally displaced status. It also advances disability inclusion across higher education. Applicants must fulfil standard English proficiency criteria via IELTS or TOEFL where required, presenting a compelling academic background, verifiable citizenship proof, and a documented track record of social impact.
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Step-by-Step Application Process and Portal Submission
Applying for the scholarship requires using the central postgraduate study portal through the official Cambridge application system. Candidates begin by reviewing the course directory to choose an eligible one-year master’s programme. Applicants from eligible African nations should submit an application fee waiver request before paying any course fee, uploading their passport copy and an academic transcript to the fee waiver form.
Within the online portal, applicants navigate to the funding section selection tab and check the box for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The scholarship selection is integrated into the general course application, requiring no separate portal submission. Once submitted, academic departments perform an initial review and issue an admission offer or conditional offer. Selected candidates receive a department nomination for final central committee review.
Required Application Documents and Scholarship Statement Guidelines
Applicants must submit a well-prepared dossier to support their application. The central requirement is the scholarship statement, which must detail the candidate’s career history, education background, and leadership essay components. The essay must outline a clear sustainability proposal, describing how the applicant’s research will support climate resilience and deliver a tangible contribution to Africa.
Supporting documentation includes two formal recommendation letters from academic references, official transcripts, certified degree certificates, and an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV). Candidates must provide an English test score (IELTS certificate or TOEFL score) if required by their chosen programme. Applicants must also upload a clear passport scan and proof of residence. Candidates applying as refugees or displaced persons should include relevant refugee documentation or disability proof to access specialised support.
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Frequently Asked Questions (Latest Google People Also Ask)
What costs are covered by the Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?
The scholarship fully covers total tuition fees, college composition fees, and a monthly living allowance. It also provides round-trip airfare, visa cost reimbursements, the UK NHS health surcharge, a laptop allowance, and research grants.
Are PhD candidates eligible for the Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027?
No, the programme at the University of Cambridge exclusively funds full-time, one-year master’s degrees. PhD and multi-year doctoral degrees are not eligible under this funding scheme.
How do I obtain an application fee waiver for Cambridge postgraduate courses?
Applicants from eligible African countries can request an application fee waiver through the university portal. Candidates must submit a fee waiver request along with an academic transcript and passport copy before November 18, 2026.
Which master courses are excluded from the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?
The scholarship excludes professional business and law courses, specifically the MBA, Master of Corporate Law (MCL), Master of Finance (MFin), and Master of Accountancy (MAcc). All part-time and online programmes are also excluded.
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Conclusion
The University of Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027 provides a fully funded pathway for emerging African leaders to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK. By covering tuition, living expenses, and travel costs, the programme enables scholars to focus on driving sustainable solutions and climate resilience. Eligible candidates should prepare their application documents early to meet the upcoming funding deadlines.
Official Scholarship & University Resources
The following validated official links provide access to official information, application portals, and key resources for the University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:
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Official University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme Portal: Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Official Site (Applications open September 2026; Course & Funding Deadlines: Early December 2026 / Early January 2027 depending on course; Currently Open
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Official Cambridge Eligibility & Course Directory: Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship Eligibility Guidelines (Application Fee Waiver Request Deadline: November 18, 2026; Currently Open)
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Official Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions System: University of Cambridge Applicant Portal (Integrated course and scholarship application system for 2027/2028 intake)
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Official Mastercard Foundation Global Website: Mastercard Foundation Official Directory (global programme repository and partner university network information)
