The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 is offering postgraduate scholarship opportunities to talented young people from Africa who have faced significant barriers to education and are committed to creating positive change in their communities.
For the 2027/28 academic year, the University of Edinburgh has introduced a new application process for both its on-campus and online postgraduate scholarships. Prospective applicants must first attend a mandatory virtual information session before they can be considered for an invitation to submit the scholarship application.
The programme is particularly focused on developing future leaders who can contribute to addressing the climate crisis. The University states that its Mastercard Foundation partnership will provide 850 postgraduate scholarships for African students between 2023 and 2030.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027/28 Overview
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Host institution | University of Edinburgh |
| Scholarship | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| Academic year | 2027/28 |
| Study level | Postgraduate |
| Eligible applicants | Citizens and residents of African countries |
| Study modes | On-campus and online |
| Main focus | Climate leadership and sustainable development |
| On-campus Master’s | 1 year, full-time |
| Online Master’s | Part-time, up to 3 years |
| Online postgraduate diploma | Part-time, up to 2 years |
| Information sessions | 15–24 September 2026 |
| Invitation to apply | 13 October 2026 |
| Declaration deadline | 19 October 2026 |
| Main application deadline | 19 November 2026 |
| Expected scholarship outcomes | March 2027 |
| Programme start | September 2027 |
The official application timeline confirms that the 2027/28 programme begins in September 2027.
What Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh supports talented young people who have experienced barriers to education and who have the potential to become transformative leaders.
The Edinburgh programme has a particular emphasis on climate justice and sustainable transitions. Scholars participate in a Climate Leadership Programme designed to help them develop the knowledge, networks and skills needed to create change in their communities and countries.
The programme therefore looks beyond academic performance. Leadership, community service, overcoming educational barriers and commitment to addressing the climate crisis are important parts of the selection process.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
For students selected for the on-campus postgraduate scholarship, the University states that the scholarship provides:
- Full approved tuition fees;
- Accommodation;
- Travel support;
- Living-cost stipend;
- Study materials;
- Participation in the Climate Leadership Programme.
The on-campus award supports a one-year full-time postgraduate taught Master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh.
Online scholars have a different study arrangement, allowing eligible students to pursue postgraduate qualifications while remaining in their local context. The University offers online Master’s programmes on a part-time basis of up to three years, as well as selected online postgraduate diploma programmes of up to two years.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements before they can proceed with the application.
The University states that applicants must:
- Qualify academically for admission to an eligible University of Edinburgh programme;
- Generally have the equivalent of a UK Upper Second-Class Bachelor’s degree or higher;
- Have experienced significant barriers to education or early-career development;
- Have graduated from undergraduate study and possess the required degree certificate and official final transcript by the application deadline;
- Be citizens and residents of, or hold refugee status in, an African country;
- Demonstrate leadership and service within their community;
- Demonstrate experience or ambition to make a meaningful contribution to addressing the climate crisis;
- Be aged 35 or under in the year the programme begins.
For the 2027/28 academic year, applicants must have been born on or after 1 January 1992.
Applicants for the Master’s scholarship should also not have previously completed a postgraduate degree.
The University particularly encourages applications from women, refugees and displaced people, and people with disabilities.
Available Online Study Options
The programme includes several online postgraduate options. According to the University, these include:
- Climate Change Management — Master’s;
- International Development — Master’s;
- Global Food Security and Nutrition — Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma;
- One Health — Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma;
- Social Justice and Community Action — Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma;
- Global Health and Infectious Diseases — Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma;
- Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health — Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma;
- Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics — Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma;
- Digital Education — Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma;
- Data Science Technologies — Master’s.
Applicants can apply for either the online or on-campus route, rather than both.
New Application Process for 2027/28
The application process has changed significantly for this cycle.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Applicants should first review the eligibility requirements and determine whether they meet the programme’s academic, nationality, leadership, and other criteria.
Step 2: Choose a Preferred Programme
Applicants should research the available on-campus and online postgraduate programmes and decide which study route and degree best match their goals.
Step 3: Attend a Mandatory Information Session
This is the most important new requirement.
Applicants must attend one of the virtual Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program information sessions taking place between 15 and 24 September 2026.
For on-campus applicants, sessions are scheduled for:
- 15 September 2026 — 3:00 p.m. UK time;
- 21 September 2026 — 11:00 a.m. UK time;
- 24 September 2026 — 4:00 p.m. UK time.
For online applicants:
- 17 September 2026 — 4:00 p.m. UK time;
- 22 September 2026 — 11:00 a.m. UK time;
- 24 September 2026 — 3:00 p.m. UK time.
Attendance is mandatory, but attending a session does not automatically guarantee an invitation to apply. Applicants must also meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply
Eligible information-session attendees will be notified on 13 October 2026 about whether they have been invited to submit a scholarship application.
Invitations will be issued through SurveyMonkey Apply.
Step 5: Complete the Applicant Declaration Form
Invited applicants must first complete the Applicant Declaration Form.
The deadline is:
19 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
The University warns that the form may close earlier if the maximum number of applications is reached, so early submission is strongly recommended.
Step 6: Submit the Main Scholarship Application
Applicants who successfully pass the declaration stage will be invited to complete the Scholarship Main Application.
The deadline is:
19 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
Do You Apply to the University First?
No — not if the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the only University of Edinburgh scholarship you are pursuing.
For the 2027/28 cycle, applicants should apply for the scholarship first rather than immediately applying for their chosen Edinburgh degree programme.
Successful scholarship applicants will subsequently be invited to apply for their selected academic programme through the University’s standard admissions process.
Applicants applying for other scholarships that require an active University application may need to apply for their degree programme separately.
Key Application Dates
Prospective applicants should keep the following dates in mind:
15–24 September 2026: Mandatory virtual information sessions
13 October 2026: Eligible attendees notified about invitations to apply
19 October 2026, 5:00 p.m. UK time: Applicant Declaration Form deadline
19 November 2026, 5:00 p.m. UK time: Scholarship Main Application deadline
Early February 2027: Applicants begin receiving notifications regarding outcomes and interview shortlisting
February–March 2027: Interviews
End of March 2027: Interview outcomes announced
September 2027: Academic programmes begin.
How to Prepare for the Scholarship
Prospective applicants should not wait until October to begin preparing.
First, carefully review the eligibility requirements and identify an eligible postgraduate programme. Applicants should also make sure that their undergraduate degree certificate and official final transcript will be available by the 19 November 2026 application deadline.
Applicants should also think carefully about their leadership experience, community service and experience or ambitions related to the climate crisis. These elements are central to the programme’s purpose.
Because attendance at a September information session is mandatory and the sessions are not recorded, prospective applicants should register for a suitable session and make sure they can attend.
Final Thoughts
The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 represents a major postgraduate funding opportunity for eligible African students who have faced barriers to education and have demonstrated leadership, community service and a commitment to climate action.
The programme offers both on-campus and online study routes, while the on-campus scholarship provides tuition, accommodation, travel, living costs and study materials.
The biggest change applicants need to understand for the 2027/28 cycle is the new mandatory information-session requirement. Prospective scholars must attend a virtual session in September 2026 and meet the eligibility requirements before they can receive an invitation to submit the scholarship application.
Applicants should therefore begin preparing now, register for an information session, and carefully follow each stage of the process rather than waiting for the main application deadline.
Official application information: University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – How to Apply
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