The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (UCT) provides fully funded study opportunities for talented young Africans. Hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, the programme supports eligible students pursuing their first undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications. The 2027 application cycle is currently open for eligible postgraduate applicants, while undergraduate applications have closed. The opportunity is designed for academically strong young people who face financial or social barriers and demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to contributing to their communities and Africa.
Scholarship Overview
Host Country: South Africa
Provider: Mastercard Foundation & University of Cape Town
Study Levels: Bachelor’s, Postgraduate Diploma, Honours & Master’s
Funding: Fully Funded
Deadline: 30 September 2026 (Undergraduate); 31 October 2026 (Postgraduate)
Status: Open for 2027 intake
Scholarship Benefits
Tuition Fees: Fully covered
Living Allowance: Basic living expenses covered
Travel/Airfare: Travel between home and UCT covered
Health Insurance: Medical aid provided
Accommodation: UCT campus accommodation covered
Visa: Study visa application costs covered
Additional Support: Academic, peer, leadership, entrepreneurship, and career development support included.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Citizens of an African country, including South Africa.
Academic Qualification: Applying for a first Bachelor’s degree or an eligible taught postgraduate programme.
Age Limit: No specific age limit is stated on the official UCT page.
Academic Merit: Must demonstrate strong academic ability and commitment to excellence.
Financial/Social Need: Must face significant social and economic barriers to higher education.
Leadership: Must demonstrate potential for ethical and transformative leadership.
Community Commitment: Must be committed to serving their community and contributing to positive change.
Work Experience: No specific work-experience requirement is stated.
Language Requirement: No separate English-language requirement is specified on the Mastercard Foundation eligibility page; applicants must meet UCT programme requirements.
Admission Requirement: Applicants must first apply to UCT and ultimately receive an offer of admission to be eligible for the scholarship.
Nomination Route: No separate nomination is required. Applicants submit a separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application after applying to UCT.
Not Eligible: Part-time studies, PhD programmes, and research-only Master’s programmes are not covered.
Available Fields / Programmes
The 2027 UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme covers eligible programmes in these faculties:
Commerce
Engineering & the Built Environment
Health Sciences
Humanities
Law
Science
Eligible study types include first Bachelor’s degrees, eligible postgraduate diplomas, Honours degrees, and taught Master’s programmes. Research-only Master’s and PhD programmes are excluded.
How to Apply
Review UCT’s available study programmes and eligibility requirements.
Submit an academic application to the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Submit a separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application online through UCT.
Upload all required supporting documents and complete the application before the relevant deadline.
Shortlisted applicants proceed through UCT’s selection process. There is no embassy or external nominating-agency route; applications are handled directly through UCT.
Required Documents
For postgraduate applicants, the official UCT guidance confirms the following:
Certified identity document, passport or refugee papers
Proof of address
Current and previous post-secondary academic transcripts
Proof of completed/current degree
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Scholarship essay
Declaration and signatures
Completed and witnessed affidavit
Two academic recommendations/references
Important Dates
Application opening: May 2026
Undergraduate scholarship deadline: 30 September 2026
Postgraduate scholarship deadline: 31 October 2026
Nomination deadline: Not applicable
Interview period: Not specified on the current official call
Results date: Not specified on the current official call
The UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 is fully funded, not tuition-only. It provides comprehensive support covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses, medical aid, study visa costs where applicable, travel, and a laptop.
The scholarship is open to citizens of African countries, including South Africa. Eligible study levels include first Bachelor’s degrees, eligible Postgraduate Diplomas, Honours degrees, and coursework Master’s programmes at UCT. PhD and research-only Master’s programmes are not eligible.
Yes. Applicants must first apply for academic admission to the University of Cape Town (UCT). They can then apply separately for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. For 2027, only applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT will be eligible for the scholarship
- Undergraduate: 30 September 2026
- Postgraduate: 31 October 2026
- Timezone: UCT does not specify a timezone on the official scholarship page. Therefore, do not add a timezone unless UCT provides one.
No separate application fee is stated for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. However, applicants must first apply to UCT, and UCT may charge an academic application fee.
