22. August 2025
Admin
Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026 at the University of Pretoria
Seize this opportunity: complete support for African leaders-in-training—covering tuition, housing, stipend, leadership training, and more—at a top South African university.
Quick Insight: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a highly competitive, fully funded scholarship for talented yet socioeconomically challenged African students pursuing Undergraduate, Honours, or Master’s studies at UP. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to societal impact.
1. Program Overview
UP and Mastercard Foundation have offered this scholarship since 2014, now in Phase II (2024–2030), targeting African youth—including refugees, IDPs, and persons with disabilities—to foster transformative leadership through academics, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
2. Who Can Apply?
- African citizens (including refugees, IDPs, persons with disabilities).
- Individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with leadership experience and strong academics.
- Provisional admission to an eligible UP program (Undergraduate, Honours, or Master’s) is required.
3. What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition fees, accommodation, meals, books, laptop, and academic materials.
- Monthly stipend, medical aid, visa costs, and return airfare to South Africa.
- Leadership training, community service, internships, and wraparound support for holistic development.
4. Eligible Faculties
Apply for programs across multiple faculties:
- Natural & Agricultural Sciences
- Economic & Management Sciences
- Humanities
- Engineering, Built Environment & IT
- Law (Undergrad: SADC; Postgrad: all African countries)
- Education
5. Application Deadlines & Process
- Apply to UP: ≤ 30 June 2025
- Scholarship application (with supporting documents): ≤ 30 June 2025
- UP Admission Decision Deadlines: Undergraduate – ≤ 31 Aug 2025; Postgraduate – ≤ 30 Sep 2025.
- Shortlisted candidates invited for interviews (Aug–Oct 2025).
- Final award notifications begin from November 2025.
- Selected scholars commence studies and orientation in January 2026.
Summary at a Glance
- Who: Academically gifted, disadvantaged African students.
- Levels: Undergraduate, Honours, Master’s.
- Coverage: Tuition, housing, stipend, travel, health, materials.
- Extras: Leadership & community training, internships.
- Deadline: Apply to UP & submit scholarship application by 30 June 2025.
Reminder: Only students provisionally admitted to UP can apply. Prepare your documents early—complete admission, assemble your forms, and apply before the 30 June 2025 deadline.
