The University of Edinburgh offers Mastercard Foundation Scholarships for postgraduate studies in Africa, focusing on climate change and sustainability.
These scholarships are for citizens and residents of African countries who meet academic and leadership criteria and have faced educational barriers.
They cover tuition, living expenses, and provide leadership and support programs. For the 2026/27 academic year, applications have closed, but for future years, applications generally open in October and close in November.
Eligibility and requirements
- Citizenship and residency: Must be a citizen or resident of an African country or a refugee within an African country.
- Academic: Must hold an undergraduate degree and meet the university’s academic entry requirements (typically a second-class upper division).
- Age: Must be 35 years or under at the start of the program.
- Leadership: Must demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to community engagement and impact in addressing the climate crisis.
- Barriers: Must have faced significant social, financial, personal, or health-related barriers to education.
Scholarship benefits
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation and visa fees
- A monthly stipend
- Leadership workshops and a dedicated climate leadership program
- Academic and pastoral support, including mentoring
- A dedicated transitions coordinator
How to apply
Wait for notifications: Successful applicants are typically notified in February of the following year and are then invited to apply for their degree program.
Check program availability: The program offers both on-campus and online postgraduate degrees related to sustainability.
Meet eligibility: Ensure you meet all the criteria before applying.
Apply for the scholarship: Submit an application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. You do not need to apply for other scholarships at the same time; you can apply for your academic program after receiving a scholarship offer.
Provide required documents: You will need your final degree certificate and official transcript to upload with your scholarship application.