Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 at UCT: Fully Funded Scholarship for African Students
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, is now accepting applications from academically talented young Africans who face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education.
The programme provides comprehensive, full-cost scholarship support alongside academic, leadership, career and personal development opportunities. Successful scholars become part of a lifelong network of young African changemakers.
For the 2027 intake, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is available for students applying for their first Bachelor’s degree, as well as eligible Postgraduate Diploma, Honours and coursework Master’s programmes at UCT.
Important: The Mastercard Foundation scholarship application is separate from the academic application to UCT. Applicants must first apply to UCT for admission to an eligible programme and then submit the scholarship application.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 – Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| University | University of Cape Town (UCT) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Intake | 2027 |
| Study levels | Bachelor’s, Postgraduate Diploma, Honours & Master’s |
| Eligible applicants | Citizens of African countries, including South Africa |
| Funding | Full-cost scholarship |
| Undergraduate scholarship deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Postgraduate scholarship deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Application | Online |
What Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Cover?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides comprehensive financial and developmental support for the full duration of the scholar’s UCT programme.
The scholarship is renewable annually, subject to satisfactory academic performance and personal conduct, as well as participation in the development programmes and activities that are part of the Scholars Program.
The scholarship support includes:
- Full tuition fees
- International student fees
- Accommodation on UCT’s campuses
- Living expenses/living stipend
- Meals
- Medical aid/medical cover
- Study visa application costs, where applicable
- Travel support
- Economy-class travel to Cape Town for eligible scholars who are citizens/residents of African countries other than South Africa, or South African residents living outside Cape Town
- Economy-class travel home upon completion of studies for eligible scholars
- Book allowance for prescribed textbooks
- Laptop
- Costs related to prescribed community activities
- Access to internship opportunities
- Career development and job-placement assistance.
The programme therefore goes beyond simply paying tuition. It is designed to remove many of the financial barriers that can prevent talented African students from completing higher education.
Who Can Apply?
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT, applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Be an African citizen
Applicants must be citizens of an African country, including South Africa.
2. Be applying for an eligible programme
For undergraduate applicants, you must be applying for your first Bachelor’s degree at UCT.
For postgraduate applicants, eligible programmes include:
- Postgraduate Diploma offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Honours degree offered by any of UCT’s six faculties
- Coursework Master’s programme offered by any of UCT’s six faculties.
3. Demonstrate academic talent
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Academic ability
- Commitment to learning
- Commitment to excellence
- A drive to complete their education.
4. Face significant financial or social barriers
The programme is specifically intended for young people whose access to higher education is significantly limited by social and economic barriers.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have limited ability to access higher education because of significant financial barriers.
5. Demonstrate leadership potential
Applicants should demonstrate potential for transformative and ethical leadership.
The programme is looking for future leaders who are committed to ethical transformation and making a positive contribution to their communities and broader society.
6. Be committed to community service
Successful applicants are expected to use their education, knowledge and skills to contribute to their communities and create positive change.
The programme places significant emphasis on community engagement and social impact.
Who Does UCT Encourage to Apply?
UCT specifically encourages applications from:
- Young women
- People living with disabilities
- Refugees
- Forcibly displaced young people
- Young people whose access to educational opportunities has been restricted by social and economic barriers.
Available Fields of Study
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides study opportunities across UCT’s six faculties.
Eligible fields include:
Commerce
Programmes within the Faculty of Commerce.
Engineering & the Built Environment
Programmes within the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment.
Health Sciences
Programmes within the Faculty of Health Sciences, including eligible postgraduate diploma programmes.
Humanities
Programmes within the Faculty of Humanities.
Law
Programmes within the Faculty of Law.
Science
Programmes within the Faculty of Science.
Students admitted to the Integrated Master’s Programme through the African Climate & Development Initiative (ACDI) and the Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) programme through the Africa Health Collaborative may also be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Programmes That Are Not Covered
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program does not cover:
- Part-time studies
- Qualifications that are research-only
- Master’s by dissertation
- PhD programmes.
For postgraduate applicants, the eligible programmes for this 2027 call are therefore the specified Postgraduate Diploma, Honours and coursework Master’s programmes.
What Scholars Receive Beyond Financial Support
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is designed as more than a financial award.
Scholars receive developmental support throughout their studies, including:
Academic support
Scholars receive academic and peer support designed to help them develop, grow and successfully complete their studies.
Support can include:
- Tutoring
- Language training
- Writing circles
- Guidance and counselling
- Academic support and mentoring.
Leadership development
The programme develops scholars’ capacity to become ethical and transformative leaders who can contribute to positive change across Africa.
Career development
Scholars receive opportunities to develop:
- Career-readiness skills
- Professional skills
- Entrepreneurial abilities
- Work-related experience.
The programme also provides access to internship opportunities and career development/job-placement assistance.
Community engagement
Scholars are expected to participate in community upliftment and development activities.
The programme aims to help scholars use their education and skills to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Alumni network
After completing their studies, scholars join the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network, creating a lifelong network of changemakers across Africa and beyond.
Required Documents for the Application
The current UCT Mastercard Foundation application form asks applicants to provide several supporting documents.
1. Proof of Address
Applicants must provide proof of their home address — the place where they live when not at work or school.
Examples include:
- Official bank statement
- Utility bill
- Bill from a local council or municipality
- Letter from your school addressed to your parents or caregiver at their home address.
The application form allows multiple files for this section, with a 40 MB total limit.
2. Financial Status Documents
Because the programme is designed for students facing significant financial barriers, applicants must provide evidence of their family’s financial circumstances.
Examples include:
- Parents’ bank statements
- Guardian’s bank statements
- Documentation showing social or government grants received by the family.
The application form allows multiple files, with a 40 MB limit.
Applicants must also indicate how many people live in their household, including themselves.
3. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Applicants must upload a CV or resume of no more than three pages.
The CV should include:
- Full educational background
- Employment history, if any
- Extracurricular activities, including activities undertaken at school
- Community activities or engagement
- Leadership positions held, including school leadership positions.
Only one CV file can be uploaded, with a 40 MB limit.
4. Essay
The essay must be no more than 2,000 words.
The questions differ depending on whether you are applying for undergraduate or postgraduate study.
Undergraduate applicants
Your essay should answer:
- Why are you applying to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT?
- What personal and professional goals do you believe the programme will help you achieve?
- What has inspired your educational path to date?
- What obstacles have you faced in pursuing education and how did you overcome them?
- How have you helped others around you?
Postgraduate applicants
Your essay should reflect on:
- The qualities that define leadership
- How the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will empower you to contribute to the economic growth and social development of your home community
- How you will contribute to your country
- How you will contribute to Africa more broadly
- Community service activities you have undertaken
- Leadership initiatives you have undertaken
- Entrepreneurship initiatives you have undertaken.
Only one essay file can be uploaded, with a 40 MB limit.
5. Recommendation Letter
Applicants must submit a recommendation letter supporting their application.
The referee may be:
- A school teacher
- Lecturer
- Pastor or other religious leader
- Previous employer.
The recommendation letter must include the full name and contact details of the referee.
The application system permits a maximum of two files for recommendation letters.
Other Information Required
The application also asks whether you have applied for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at another partner university.
Applicants must select Yes or No.
If you answer yes, you will be asked to identify the other Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program you applied to. This helps the Mastercard Foundation ensure that scholarships can be fairly allocated across its network of participating universities.
The application form also requires your:
- UCT Campus ID or applicant number
- Full name as it appears on your birth certificate or passport
- Email address used for your UCT application
- Intended study level
- Home address
- City/town
- State/province
- ZIP/postal code
- Country.
How to Apply
There are two separate applications involved, and this is important.
Step 1: Choose your UCT programme
Review UCT’s available study options and identify an eligible Bachelor’s, Postgraduate Diploma, Honours or coursework Master’s programme.
Step 2: Apply to the University of Cape Town
Submit your academic application to UCT through its online admissions system.
Step 3: Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
After submitting your UCT academic application, submit your separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.
The scholarship application is not the same as the UCT academic application.
For postgraduate applicants, UCT’s application process includes creating a profile on the scholarship application platform, completing the eligibility quiz and then completing the Mastercard Foundation application form.
Important Admission Requirement
Applicants should understand that applying for the scholarship does not automatically give admission to UCT.
For the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you must first apply for academic study at UCT.
For undergraduate applicants, only applicants who eventually receive an offer of admission to UCT will be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
For postgraduate applicants, admission requirements vary according to the programme, so applicants should check the relevant UCT faculty for the academic requirements and deadline for their chosen programme.
2027 Application Deadlines
There are two important scholarship deadlines.
Undergraduate applicants
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program deadline: 30 September 2026
However, UCT currently states that undergraduate applications for admission to UCT for the 2027 intake are already closed. Students who already submitted a UCT Bachelor’s application may still apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program if they meet the scholarship eligibility requirements. They must ultimately receive an offer of admission from UCT to qualify.
Postgraduate applicants
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program deadline: 31 October 2026
Postgraduate applications remain open. Applicants should check the relevant UCT faculty for the academic programme’s specific requirements and deadline.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
- The scholarship is for African citizens, including South Africans.
- You must demonstrate academic talent.
- You must face significant social and economic barriers to higher education.
- Leadership potential is important.
- Community service and your commitment to positive change matter.
- The programme is for full-time study.
- Part-time study is not covered.
- PhD programmes are not covered.
- Research-only Master’s programmes are not covered.
- A Master’s by dissertation is not covered.
- The scholarship covers the full period of your UCT programme, subject to annual renewal requirements.
- Scholars must maintain satisfactory academic performance and personal conduct.
- Scholars are expected to participate in the programme’s development activities.
- The scholarship application is separate from the UCT academic application.
- Applicants must first apply to UCT.
- Supporting documents should be clear and complete.
- Applicants should carefully check their chosen UCT faculty’s academic requirements and deadlines.
Scholarship at a Glance
| Requirement/Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Host university | University of Cape Town |
| Host country | South Africa |
| Programme | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| Intake | 2027 |
| Eligible nationality | African countries |
| Undergraduate | First Bachelor’s degree |
| Postgraduate | Eligible PG Diploma, Honours & coursework Master’s |
| Tuition | Fully covered |
| Accommodation | Covered |
| Living expenses | Covered |
| Meals | Covered |
| Medical aid | Covered |
| Study visa | Covered where applicable |
| Books | Book allowance |
| Laptop | Provided |
| Travel | Covered for eligible scholars |
| Internship | Available |
| Career development | Included |
| Leadership development | Included |
| Mentoring | Included |
| Community engagement | Included |
| Alumni network | Included |
| Undergraduate scholarship deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Postgraduate scholarship deadline | 31 October 2026 |
Scholarships Expiring Soon
Conclusion
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town is a genuinely comprehensive opportunity for talented African students who have the academic ability and leadership potential but face significant financial or social barriers to accessing higher education.
Beyond covering tuition and major study-related expenses, the programme provides mentoring, leadership development, career preparation, internships, community engagement opportunities and access to a lifelong alumni network.
If you are eligible, do not wait until the deadline to begin preparing your documents and application. And remember: the UCT academic application and the Mastercard Foundation scholarship application are separate processes.
