Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027

Scholarship Details

The Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 is inviting applications from talented young Africans who wish to pursue a two-year Master’s degree at Sciences Po in Paris, France.

The programme supports academically qualified students who have experienced significant barriers to accessing higher education, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, rural communities and vulnerable groups.

Through this partnership, selected scholars receive comprehensive financial support covering tuition and living expenses throughout their studies. They also benefit from accommodation, mentorship, leadership development, career guidance and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The scholarship is open to eligible citizens of African countries, including Nigeria.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive comprehensive support throughout their two-year Master’s programme, including:

• Full tuition coverage: The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for the duration of the Master’s programme.
• Living expenses: Financial support covering living costs in France.
• Accommodation: Access to housing in Paris reserved for Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
• Pre-departure assistance: Guidance and support to prepare for relocation to France.
• Arrival support: An official welcome programme and assistance with settling into Sciences Po.
• Personalised academic support: Guidance throughout the period of study.
• Career development: Access to career workshops, conferences, employment guidance and internship opportunities.
• Mentorship: Participation in a mentoring programme organised with the Africa Division of Sciences Po Alumni.
• Entrepreneurship opportunities: Access to entrepreneurship training, Sciences Po’s business incubator and its network of employers and alumni working in Africa.
• Professional networking: Opportunities to connect with other scholars, professionals and organisations.

The programme aims to help scholars become leaders and changemakers who contribute to Africa’s social and economic development.

Eligible Master’s Programmes

The scholarship supports eligible two-year Master’s programmes offered through Sciences Po’s graduate schools.

Applicants must apply for a two-year Master’s programme through the International Graduate Admissions Procedure.

Please note:

• One-year Master’s programmes are not eligible.
• Dual-degree programmes are not eligible.
• Online Master’s programmes are not available under this scholarship.
• Applicants must be admitted to an eligible two-year Master’s programme before they can be selected for the scholarship.

The programme is open to students from both English-speaking and French-speaking African countries. However, applicants must satisfy the language requirements of their chosen Master’s programme.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:

1. African Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of an African country. Individuals with dual citizenship that includes a country outside Africa are not eligible.
2. Age Requirement: Applicants must be under 35 years old on 1 September of the year in which they submit their scholarship application.
3. Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must already hold or be completing a Bachelor’s degree.
4. Eligible Educational Background: Applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:
   • Hold or be completing a Bachelor’s degree from a university included on Sciences Po’s list of reference institutions.
   • Hold or be completing a Bachelor’s degree and have participated in a recognised bridging or mentoring programme offered by one of the approved partner organisations.
   • Hold or be completing a Bachelor’s degree and currently have, or previously have had, recognised UNHCR refugee status.
5. Previous Master’s Degree: Applicants must not already hold or currently be pursuing a Master’s degree.
6. First-time Application: Applicants must be applying to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po for the first time.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following applicants cannot apply:

• Students already enrolled at Sciences Po.
• Applicants currently enrolled in or graduated from a French higher education institution.
• Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree.
• Applicants who have previously applied to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po.

Meeting the scholarship requirements does not automatically guarantee admission or selection.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents for the scholarship eligibility assessment:

• Proof of Identity: A valid passport, national identity card, UNHCR card or travel document.
• Bachelor’s Degree Certificate: A degree certificate or proof of current undergraduate studies from an institution on Sciences Po’s approved reference list.

If your university is not on the reference list, you must provide:

• Proof of completed or ongoing Bachelor’s studies, such as an academic transcript, diploma or certificate.
• A certificate confirming successful completion of a recognised bridging programme.

Alternatively, applicants with refugee status must provide proof of their Bachelor’s studies and supporting documentation confirming their refugee status.

You must also prepare the supporting documents required for your chosen Sciences Po Master’s programme. These may include academic transcripts, degree certificates, language test results and recommendation letters.

Ensure that your admission application is complete. Missing or non-compliant documents can make your application ineligible.

What Sciences Po Expects From Applicants

The scholarship is highly competitive. Applicants must demonstrate more than academic ability.

In their written application and interview, candidates are expected to:

• Explain how their chosen Master’s programme connects with their personal background, academic experience and future career goals.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and an understanding of major political, economic and social challenges affecting Africa and the world.
• Show ambition, originality and perseverance through entrepreneurial initiatives or public service projects.
• Explain how their education and future work could contribute to Africa’s socioeconomic transformation.
• Demonstrate a commitment to becoming changemakers in their communities and across the continent.

Applicants are encouraged to use authentic personal experiences when explaining their motivation.

Important: Sciences Po specifically cautions against relying on artificial intelligence to write scholarship assignments. The written responses are intended to assess independent thinking and personal reflection. AI-generated, standardised responses may negatively affect an application.

Application Deadlines

There are two scholarship application deadlines, depending on when you want to receive your Master’s admission decision.

Regardless of which deadline you choose, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program selection results will be communicated in April 2027.

All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. Paris time.

How to Apply

The application process involves two platforms, and applicants must complete both processes.

Step 1: Verify your scholarship eligibility

Visit the dedicated Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application platform and submit a request to verify your eligibility.

Step 2: Apply for a Master’s programme

Create an application through the Sciences Po International Graduate Admissions platform for an eligible two-year Master’s programme.

You must complete both processes. Creating a Master’s application is essential even if your scholarship eligibility has not yet been confirmed. Otherwise, you may lose the opportunity to benefit from the application fee waiver.

Step 3: Request an application fee waiver

Eligible applicants will receive instructions from the Admissions Office on how to complete and submit their Master’s application without paying the application fee.

You must follow the instructions and submission deadline in the email carefully.

Step 4: Complete your Master’s application

Prepare and submit all required documents, including academic records, language results and recommendation letters.

Sciences Po strongly recommends preparing these documents early because the time allowed to complete the application after receiving the fee-waiver email may be short.

Step 5: Wait for the selection process

Applicants who meet the scholarship requirements and gain admission to Sciences Po will have their applications considered for the scholarship.

Being declared eligible or receiving admission does not guarantee a scholarship award.

Selection Process

The scholarship selection process involves application assessment, interviews and a final decision by the Scholarship Selection Committee.

Applications are assessed based on:

• Educational barriers: Whether applicants have faced significant economic, social, geographical or other barriers to accessing education.
• Commitment to Africa: Demonstrated interest in contributing to the development of the African continent.
• Leadership potential: The ability and determination to create positive, sustainable and measurable change in their communities, countries or across Africa.

Particular consideration is given to applications from young women, refugees and displaced persons, and persons with disabilities.

Interview

Shortlisted applicants will receive an email invitation for an online interview.

• Interviews are conducted through Zoom.
• Each interview lasts approximately 25 minutes.

An interview invitation does not guarantee selection.

Final Scholarship Decision

Following the interviews and assessment, the Scholarship Selection Committee will make its final decision.

Successful applicants will receive an official scholarship offer explaining their rights and responsibilities.

The offer applies only to the academic year for which it is issued. If a successful applicant defers admission by one year, they will lose eligibility for the scholarship.

Applicants admitted to Sciences Po but not selected for the scholarship will need to secure alternative funding.

Support for Successful Scholars

Support begins once a candidate accepts the official scholarship offer.

Incoming scholars will be invited to online information sessions to help them prepare for their relocation and integration into Sciences Po.

The programme also provides ongoing academic, personal and professional support throughout their studies and until they secure their first job.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. It covers full tuition and living expenses throughout the two-year Master’s programme, with additional accommodation and personalised support.

2. Can Nigerians apply?

Yes. Nigerian citizens are eligible, provided they satisfy the age, educational background and other scholarship requirements.

3. Can I apply without IELTS?

The Mastercard Foundation scholarship itself does not impose a universal English or French language requirement. However, your chosen Master’s programme may require proof of language proficiency. Check the specific programme requirements.

4. Can I apply if I already have a Master’s degree?

No. Applicants who already hold or are currently pursuing a Master’s degree are not eligible.

5. Can I apply for a one-year Master’s programme?

No. Only eligible two-year Master’s programmes are covered.

6. Can I apply for the scholarship without applying to Sciences Po?

No. You must also apply for admission to an eligible Master’s programme at Sciences Po.

7. When will scholarship results be released?

The scholarship selection results will be communicated in April 2027.

Application Links

• Official Scholarship Page: https://www.sciencespo.fr/students/en/fees-funding/bursaries-financial-aid/mastercard-foundation-scholarships/graduate-study/
• Master’s Admissions: https://www.sciencespo.fr/admissions/en/graduate/
• Scholarship FAQs: https://www.sciencespo.fr/students/en/fees-funding/bursaries-financial-aid/mastercard-foundation-scholarships/faq/
• Enquiries: info.mcfsp@sciencespo.fr

Conclusion

The Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 offers eligible African graduates an opportunity to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree in France while developing the leadership, professional and entrepreneurial skills needed to contribute to Africa’s development.

If you have faced barriers to accessing higher education and have the ambition to create meaningful change in your community, this programme is worth considering.

Ensure that you meet the academic and scholarship requirements, prepare your documents early and submit both applications before the relevant deadline.