Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarships 2027/28: Invited Applicants’ Deadlines

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh offers funded postgraduate study for young African leaders who have faced barriers to education and want to contribute to climate justice.

Important: The 2027/28 application process is invitation-only. Applicants must have attended a mandatory information session in September 2026 and met the eligibility requirements. Information-session registration is now closed. This is not an open application route for new applicants who missed those sessions.

Institution: University of Edinburgh
Programme: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, 2027/28
Location: Edinburgh, UK, or online study
Study starts: September 2027
Declaration deadline: 26 October 2026, 5 p.m. UK time; may close earlier at capacity
Main application deadline: 19 November 2026, 5 p.m. UK time

On-campus scholarship

The on-campus route supports a one-year, full-time taught master’s degree in Edinburgh. Funding covers approved tuition, accommodation, travel, a living-cost stipend and study materials. Scholars receive climate leadership and sustainable entrepreneurship training, transitions support and disability-related assistance based on assessed needs.

The official page currently lists: 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; and Public Health (MPH). The list is subject to change.

Online scholarship

The online route supports part-time master’s study for up to three years or a postgraduate diploma for up to two years. Scholars receive approved tuition, an academic stipend for a laptop and internet access, an opportunity to attend an in-person gathering, climate leadership activities, coordination and transitions support, and assessed disability-related assistance.

Online subjects include development, food security, climate change, health, social justice, biodiversity, genetics, digital education and data science. Some programmes offer master’s study only; others also offer a diploma. Check the official online programme list for the exact route available.

Who is eligible?

• Meet Edinburgh’s academic entry requirements, generally equivalent to a UK upper-second-class honours bachelor’s degree or better.
• Have completed undergraduate study and provide a degree certificate and final official transcript by 19 November 2026.
• Meet the programme’s African citizenship/residence or refugee-status requirements.
• Have faced significant barriers to education and early career progression.
• Demonstrate leadership, community service and experience or ambition related to addressing the climate crisis.
• Be born on or after 1 January 1992 for the 2027/28 intake.

Master’s applicants must not already hold a postgraduate degree or be enrolled, or applying to enrol, at another university during the scholarship. The online diploma can accept applicants with an undergraduate or master’s degree from an African university, subject to the stated documentation and graduation requirements.

The programme encourages applications from women, displaced people, refugees and people with disabilities.

How the 2027/28 application works

1. Mandatory information session: sessions took place from 15–24 September 2026. Registration has closed.
2. Invitation: eligible attendees were due to receive an invitation through SurveyMonkey Apply from 20 October 2026. Attendance alone does not guarantee an invitation.
3. Applicant Declaration Form: invited applicants should complete it promptly, before 26 October 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time. The form may close early when the application limit is reached.
4. Main application: successful declaration-stage applicants are invited to the next stage. Complete the required assessment and main application forms by 19 November 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time.

Use the invitation and official instructions. The programme does not accept submissions outside its online system or from people who have not followed the required process.

For this scholarship, apply for the scholarship first. Successful scholars will be invited to apply for their degree after scholarship offers in March 2027. Edinburgh permits parallel university applications when another scholarship requires one.

Selection timeline

Applications are assessed from late November to January. Notifications and interview invitations are planned for February 2027, with interviews during February–March and outcomes by the end of March. Admission and, for campus scholars, immigration support follow before September 2027 study begins. Dates may change.

For questions not answered in the official FAQ, contact mcfsp@ed.ac.uk.

Official application process ↗

Eligibility · Application timeline · On-campus programmes · Online programmes