Quick answer: The UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 is accepting scholarship applications from eligible citizens of African countries for funded study at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. The postgraduate scholarship deadline is 31 October 2026, but the selected course may have a separate, earlier admissions deadline. New undergraduate admission applications are closed; only bachelor’s applicants who already applied to UCT can still seek this scholarship by 30 September 2026. The exact closing hour and time zone for either scholarship deadline are not listed on the current call. Read UCT’s current call.
Host: University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
Intake: 2027
Who can apply: citizens of African countries, including South Africa, who meet admission and scholarship criteria
Study level: eligible first bachelor’s applicants already applied to UCT; new postgraduate diploma (Health Sciences), honours and coursework master’s applicants
Funding: full-programme support, renewable annually under UCT conditions
Undergraduate scholarship deadline: 30 September 2026 (existing UCT applicants only)
Postgraduate scholarship deadline: 31 October 2026; course deadlines vary
Exact cutoff time/time zone: not listed
Scholarship form fee: not listed; separate UCT admission fees should be checked in the application portal
English test: scholarship-specific IELTS/TOEFL requirement not listed; confirm course-specific admission rules
Apply Now — Official UCT Scholarship Form UCT admission portal
What does the scholarship cover?
UCT’s 21 August 2026 announcement specifies tuition fees, a laptop, accommodation on UCT campuses, living expenses, medical aid, a study visa where applicable, and annual travel to and from UCT. Academic support, mentoring, leadership and career-readiness development, internships and community engagement are additional programme benefits. Support runs for the full duration of the selected degree and is renewed each year subject to satisfactory academic performance, conduct and participation. UCT does not give one universal cash stipend amount or one universal course duration.
Who is eligible for 2027?
- Citizens of an African country, including South Africa, who show academic talent, substantial social and economic barriers, ethical leadership potential and commitment to their communities.
- Postgraduate applicants seeking an eligible Health Sciences postgraduate diploma, an honours degree or a coursework master’s across UCT’s six faculties. Check your particular degree’s entry and closing dates.
- First bachelor’s applicants who already submitted UCT admission applications; fresh undergraduate admission applications for 2027 are closed.
Part-time, research-only master’s and PhD study are not covered. A UCT admission offer is ultimately required for a scholarship award. UCT encourages women, refugees, displaced applicants and people living with disabilities to apply. Check the official eligibility list.
Required scholarship documents
The live official form asks for your UCT campus/applicant number and the email used for your UCT application. Upload proof of address; evidence of your family’s income or financial status; a CV or résumé of no more than three pages covering education, work if any, extracurricular activities, community involvement and leadership; an essay of no more than 2,000 words answering the route-specific prompt; and a recommendation letter identifying and providing contact details for your referee. The form presents different essay questions for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants. UCT’s separate degree admission process may require additional documents—check your faculty.
How to apply
- Choose a covered degree and verify its own academic admission requirements, English-language evidence and deadline with the relevant UCT faculty.
- Submit your UCT academic application at the official UCT admissions portal and retain the applicant number. Existing bachelor’s applicants should use their already-submitted application.
- Prepare each of the supporting documents listed on the official scholarship form; tailor the essay to your route.
- Submit the separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program form by the appropriate scholarship deadline. An academic application alone is not a scholarship application.
- Monitor admission and scholarship decisions; UCT must ultimately offer you admission before the award can be made.
Important dates and countdown
As checked on 14 September 2026, the existing-applicant undergraduate scholarship route has 16 calendar days until 30 September 2026; the postgraduate scholarship route has 47 calendar days until 31 October 2026. These are date-based counts, not guarantees of the remaining submission hours. UCT does not list a cutoff time or time zone for these scholarship dates. The admissions deadline for a postgraduate course varies by faculty and could be earlier—verify it before preparing the scholarship application.
How are scholars selected?
UCT looks for academic ability and commitment, evidence of real financial barriers, a record of investing in the community and potential to lead ethically and drive positive change. Selection is linked to admission and, once awarded, annual support depends on performance, conduct and programme participation.
Frequently asked questions
Is this scholarship fully funded?
UCT describes comprehensive financial support covering tuition, campus accommodation, living expenses, a laptop, medical aid, applicable study-visa costs and annual travel. It does not list a fixed cash amount.
Can I newly apply for a UCT bachelor’s place now?
No. UCT says its 2027 undergraduate admissions are closed. An applicant who already applied may still apply separately for the scholarship by 30 September 2026.
Can I apply for a PhD or research-only master’s?
No. The current scholarship call explicitly excludes PhD and research-only qualifications, as well as part-time study.
Is IELTS mandatory?
The current scholarship call does not state one scholarship-wide IELTS/TOEFL rule. English-language requirements for academic admission should be confirmed with the chosen UCT degree or faculty; do not assume a test waiver.
Is there an application fee?
A separate scholarship-form fee is not listed on UCT’s call or form. Check the separate university admission portal for any applicable academic application charge; do not pay anyone claiming to be the Mastercard Foundation via unofficial channels.
Official links and related opportunities
- UCT’s 2027 scholarship call and deadlines
- Direct official scholarship application
- Separate academic admission steps
- UCT’s benefit announcement (21 August 2026)
- Columbia Ideas and Imagination Fellowship 2027
- Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
Verification note: This independent guide was checked against UCT’s official current call, application form and university announcement on 14 September 2026. It is not an official UCT or Mastercard Foundation publication. Details, faculty requirements and form availability may change; always use the linked primary pages before submitting.
