University of Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027
African graduates looking for a fully funded master's opportunity in the United Kingdom can apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge for the 2027/2028 academic year.
The programme is designed for talented young Africans who want to pursue a full-time master's degree at Cambridge while developing their leadership capacity and contributing to sustainable development in Africa. Applications for the 2027/2028 intake opened in September 2026.
The scholarship is particularly focused on climate resilience and sustainability. Eligible applicants can apply for most full-time one-year postgraduate courses at Cambridge, although four programmes are excluded: the Master of Business Administration, Master of Corporate Law, Master of Finance and Master of Accountancy.
For successful scholars, the financial package is substantial. Cambridge states that the programme covers the course fee, provides a monthly living allowance, pays for a return flight and supplies a laptop.
What Is the Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge was established in 2022 as part of a wider effort to support talented African students.
Cambridge's programme aims to enable 500 outstanding students from across Africa to study for master's degrees at Cambridge by 2030. The programme combines financial support with leadership development and a community of African scholars.
The scholarship is not designed for undergraduate or PhD study. It is specifically for students pursuing eligible master's degrees at the University of Cambridge.
The 2027/2028 programme continues the focus on climate resilience and sustainability. Applicants therefore need to show how their education, career plans and future contribution connect with the wider goal of building sustainable futures in Africa.
Who Can Apply for the Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027?
The scholarship is intended for applicants who meet both the programme's eligibility conditions and the academic requirements of their chosen Cambridge master's course.
Applicants must:
Be citizens of an African country
Be resident in an African country, although temporary residence outside Africa for study or work may be permitted
Hold a bachelor's degree
Meet the academic entry requirements of the selected Cambridge master's programme
Apply for an eligible full-time master's course
Demonstrate a commitment to giving back to their community, home country or Africa more broadly
Show an interest in the programme's themes of sustainability and climate resilience
Meeting these requirements does not automatically result in a scholarship. Applicants first need to gain admission to an eligible master's programme, after which the Mastercard Foundation selection process considers eligible candidates.
What Master's Courses Are Eligible?
One of the useful features of the Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is the breadth of courses available.
Applicants can apply for any eligible full-time master's course at the University of Cambridge, subject to the programme's exclusions and the normal academic requirements of the course.
The four excluded courses are:
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Corporate Law (MCL)
Master of Finance (MFin)
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
This means prospective applicants should not select a master's programme simply because it appears to fit their career plans. They need to check the Cambridge postgraduate course directory and confirm that the course is eligible for Mastercard Foundation funding.
Applicants must also meet the individual academic requirements of the selected course. Cambridge notes that some programmes require an academic qualification equivalent to a UK first-class honours degree, while others accept an upper second-class equivalent.
What Does the Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship is intended to remove many of the major financial barriers associated with studying at Cambridge.
The current programme information lists the following benefits:
Full Course Fee
The programme covers the course fee for successful Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
This is particularly significant because Cambridge postgraduate tuition varies by programme and can represent a substantial part of the cost of studying in the UK.
Monthly Living Allowance
Scholars receive a monthly allowance to support their living expenses while studying at Cambridge.
The allowance is intended to help scholars meet ordinary living costs during their studies.
Return Flight
The scholarship includes a return flight, helping successful scholars travel between their home country and the United Kingdom.
Laptop
Each scholar also receives a laptop as part of the programme's support package.
These benefits mean that the scholarship provides much more than a tuition discount. Cambridge describes the programme as providing the support students need to thrive during their studies.
Leadership Development and Scholar Community
The Cambridge programme goes beyond financial assistance.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars become part of a community of young African leaders studying at Cambridge. The programme includes an orientation period before courses begin, allowing new scholars to meet one another and connect with alumni.
Throughout the academic year, the programme also organises activities that give scholars opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas and strengthen their connections with other African students.
This community element is important because the programme is built around the idea that scholars should take what they learn at Cambridge and use it in ways that benefit communities and contribute to sustainable development in Africa.
What Does Cambridge Look for in Applicants?
Academic performance is an important part of the application, but the scholarship has additional expectations.
Cambridge asks applicants to demonstrate leadership potential and explain how the scholarship would help them achieve their educational and career ambitions. Applicants are also expected to explain how they hope to contribute to sustainable futures in Africa.
The programme's emphasis on climate resilience and sustainability means applicants should think carefully about the connection between their proposed master's degree and the problems they want to address.
For example, an applicant might have an interest in environmental policy, sustainable technology, agriculture, public health, engineering, data science or another discipline that can contribute to climate resilience. The important point is that the applicant should be able to explain the connection clearly rather than simply mentioning sustainability as a general ambition.
How to Apply for the Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027
The Mastercard Foundation scholarship application is integrated into the University of Cambridge postgraduate application.
Applicants should begin by finding an eligible master's course through Cambridge's postgraduate course directory. They then create an application and complete the normal postgraduate admission process.
During the application, candidates who meet the requirements can opt in for funding and select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program as their funding option.
The scholarship statement is a key part of this process.
Cambridge asks applicants to address four main areas:
Their career and educational history
Their leadership potential
How the scholarship will help them achieve their goals
How they hope to contribute to sustainable futures in Africa
Applicants should therefore treat the scholarship statement as a separate piece of the application rather than simply repeating information from their personal statement.
Application Fee Waiver
The Cambridge application process normally involves an application fee, but Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applicants can qualify for an application fee waiver if they meet the academic entry requirements of their chosen course.
Applicants from certain African countries receive the waiver automatically when they submit their application.
Applicants from countries not included in Cambridge's automatic-waiver list need to submit an application fee waiver request. Cambridge states that the request should be completed as early as possible and, for the current 2027/2028 cycle, by 18 November 2026.
This is an important date for applicants who need a fee waiver because it comes before many course funding deadlines.
Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027 Deadline
There is not one universal deadline for every master's course covered by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Cambridge instructs applicants to check the funding deadline attached to their chosen course. The university states that these deadlines are usually in early December or January and are earlier than the standard postgraduate application deadline.
Applicants should therefore choose their course first and check its funding deadline before beginning the application.
Waiting for a general Mastercard scholarship deadline could result in missing the funding deadline for a particular Cambridge programme.
What Happens After Applying?
The selection process takes place in stages.
First, the relevant Cambridge academic department considers the applicant for admission to the chosen course. Departments select successful applicants on a rolling basis, with offers generally made between December and February. Some departments may interview shortlisted candidates.
The Mastercard Foundation team then considers eligible applicants who have received an offer for their selected course.
Cambridge states that scholarship selection considers both the course application and the scholarship statement. Successful scholarship offers are expected to be sent in late March or early April.
Applicants who receive an offer may subsequently need to provide outstanding documents. Cambridge says these documents should be submitted by 31 July, with IELTS results among the documents that may be required depending on the applicant's circumstances and course.
Are Women and Refugees Eligible?
Yes.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program actively encourages applications from women, refugees, internally displaced people and people with disabilities.
Refugees and internally displaced applicants should still review the programme's specific eligibility requirements and provide the documentation requested during the application process.
The programme's approach to inclusion reflects its broader aim of widening access to postgraduate education for talented African students who may face barriers to international study.
Is the Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship Fully Funded?
The programme provides a comprehensive financial package covering the main costs specified by Cambridge.
The scholarship includes:
Full course fee
Monthly living allowance
Return flight
Laptop
Because individual living circumstances differ, applicants should still read the current scholarship terms carefully and understand exactly what is included before making financial plans.
It is also important to distinguish this programme from scholarships that provide only a tuition reduction. The Cambridge Mastercard Foundation award is structured as a broader support package for successful scholars.
What Makes the Scholarship Different?
The Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholarship combines postgraduate study at one of the world's oldest universities with a specific focus on African leadership and sustainable development.
The programme is not simply seeking students who want to obtain an overseas qualification. Applicants are asked to explain how their education and leadership potential can contribute to their communities and to Africa's future.
That expectation should shape the application from the beginning.
A strong applicant needs to demonstrate academic readiness for the chosen Cambridge course while also presenting a credible account of what they intend to do with the knowledge and experience gained.
Final Thoughts
The University of Cambridge Mastercard Scholarship 2027 gives eligible African graduates an opportunity to pursue a full-time master's degree in the United Kingdom with substantial financial support.
For the 2027/2028 academic year, the programme is open to citizens of African countries who meet the academic requirements of an eligible Cambridge master's course and can demonstrate a commitment to contributing to sustainable futures in Africa.
The scholarship covers the course fee, provides a monthly living allowance, includes a return flight and supplies a laptop. Applicants also become part of a wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars community at Cambridge.
The application is built into the Cambridge postgraduate admission process, so prospective scholars should begin by choosing an eligible master's course. They should then check the course's academic requirements, funding deadline and supporting-document requirements before submitting the application.
For applicants targeting October 2027 entry, timing matters. Cambridge has already opened applications for the 2027/2028 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and course funding deadlines can arrive as early as December 2026 or January 2027.
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