The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation on-campus and online postgraduate Scholars Program 2027/2028 for young Africans (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: 26 October 2026, 5pm

Applications are now open for the 2027/2028 University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation on-campus and online postgraduate Scholars Program.
Scholars will pursue a one year full-time postgraduate taught Master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh, studying in person and becoming part of the University’s academic and student community. Scholars live and study in Edinburgh and receive scholarship support to enable them to complete their degree.

Eligibility criteria 

• If applying for the online Postgraduate Diploma: Applicants can either have an undergraduate or Masters degree from an African university (provided they will graduate from either degree by 19th November 2026). If you have a Masters degree, our admissions team will review your first degree (undergraduate) to meet the postgraduate diploma entry requirement. The Program will review your Masters degree transcripts to confirm your university’s graduation date and location.
• Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education and in their early career (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).
• Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 19 November 2026.
• Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in an African country.
• Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.
• Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis
• Applicants must be 35 or under the year the programme commences. Therefore, for the 2027/28 academic year, we accept applications from those born on or after 1 January 1992. Anyone born in 1991 and prior is not eligible.
• If applying for a Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or applying to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.

On-campus scholarship provides

The on-campus scholarship provides:

• full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, living cost stipend and study materials
• a climate leadership programme to inspire and support scholars in making change in their communities and countries
• participation in the Climate Enterprise School, an intensive week-long programme of training in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
• additional support to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs
• transitions support

On-campus degree programmes

This is a one-year postgraduate on-campus scholarship for the following programmes only. 

Please note that the on-campus degree programmes listed here are subject to change. Please check regularly for the latest updates.

• Food Security
• Sustainable Energy Systems
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Data, Inequality and Society
• Operational Research
• Environmental Sustainability
• Climate Change Finance and Investment
• Environment and Development
• International Development
• Public Health, Master of MPH

Online postgraduate diploma

• Postgraduate diplomas are aimed at those who are considering a potential change in their careers and tend to be more vocational.
• Candidates with either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from an African university are equally able to apply (provided they will graduate from either degree and provide their degree certificates and transcripts by the application deadline).

The online scholarship provides

• transitions support
• full approved tuition fees; scholars will not pay for any part of the tuition fees
• an academic stipend to allow for access to a laptop and high-quality internet
• the opportunity to attend an in-person gathering
• participation in activities as part of the wider Climate Leadership Programme at the University of Edinburgh, including regular online workshops, online coaching and support
• participation in the Climate Enterprise School, an intensive week-long programme of training in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
• a dedicated Online Coordinator
• additional support for Scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs

Online degree programmes

• International Development (Masters route only)
• Global Food Security and Nutrition (Masters or Diploma)
• Climate Change Management (Masters route only)
• One Health (Masters or Diploma)
• Social Justice and Community Action (Masters or Diploma)
• Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health (Masters or Diploma)
• Global Health and Infectious Diseases (Masters or Diploma)
• Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics (Masters or Diploma)
• Digital Education (Masters or Diploma)
• Data Science Technologies (Masters route only)
• Family Medicine (MFM) (Masters route only)
• Conservation Medicine (Masters or Diploma)
• Climate Leadership Programme

Application Timeline

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation on-campus and online postgraduate Scholars Program