University of Cape Town Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 (Fully Funded) – Apply Before 31 October 2026

The University of Cape Town (UCT), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has officially opened applications for the 2027 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. This is a fully funded scholarship for academically talented African students who face financial and social barriers to accessing higher education.

The scholarship offers much more than tuition support—it provides leadership development, career readiness training, mentorship, and lifelong membership in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network.Application Deadline: 31 October 2026

Scholarship Overview

Application Deadline

31 October 2026

Study Destination

South Africa

University

University of Cape Town

Sponsor

Mastercard Foundation

Study Level

Eligible Postgraduate Programmes (2027 Intake)

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

This scholarship is fully funded and includes:

  •  Full tuition fees.

  • Accommodation on UCT campus.

  • Monthly living allowance.

  •  Laptop for studies.

  • Medical insurance.

  •  Study visa support (where applicable).

  •  Annual return travel between your home country and Cape Town.

  •  Academic mentoring and peer support throughout your studies.

  • Leadership, entrepreneurship, and career development training.

Graduates also become members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network, a lifelong community of African changemakers.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Be a citizen of an African country (including South Africa).

  • Be applying for an eligible postgraduate programme at UCT.

  • Demonstrate excellent academic performance.

  • Show evidence of financial or social barriers to higher education.

  • Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to ethical leadership.

  • Be passionate about creating positive change in their communities.

Eligible Programmes

Applicants may apply for:

  • Postgraduate Diploma (Health Sciences only)

  • Honours Degree

  • Coursework Master's Degree

Not eligible:

  • PhD programmes.

  • Master's by research/dissertation only.

  • Part-time programmes.

Fields of Study

Students can apply in any eligible programme within these faculties:

Faculty Examples Commerce Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting Engineering & Built Environment Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Architecture Health Sciences Public Health, Nursing, Medical Sciences Humanities Education, Psychology, Social Sciences Law Legal Studies and related programmes Science Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Computer Science
 

What Kind of Student Is UCT Looking For?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is designed for young Africans who are:

  • Academically gifted and committed to completing their education.

  • Unable to access higher education because of financial hardship.

  • Passionate about serving their communities.

  • Future leaders committed to creating positive social impact across Africa.

How to Apply (3 Steps)

Step 1 – Choose Your Programme

Visit the University of Cape Town admissions page and identify an eligible postgraduate programme for the 2027 intake.

Step 2 – Apply to UCT

Complete and submit your admission application to the University of Cape Town before the programme deadline.

Step 3 – Submit the Mastercard Foundation Application

After applying to UCT, complete the separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.

Important Note

Applications for undergraduate programmes at UCT for the 2027 intake are already closed.

Postgraduate applications remain open.

Eligible postgraduate candidates can still apply until 31 October 2026.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

  • Academic transcripts and certificates.

  • Valid passport or national ID.

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV), if required by the programme.

  • Motivation or personal statement.

  • Any additional documents requested by the selected faculty.

Why This Scholarship Matters

The UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of Africa's most prestigious fully funded scholarships. Besides paying for your education, it equips scholars with:

  • Leadership skills.

  • Entrepreneurship training.

  • Career preparation.

  • Mentorship and networking opportunities across Africa and globally.

This makes it an excellent opportunity for talented African students who want to study at one of the continent's top universities and contribute to their communities after graduation.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY