Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars 2027

The University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme is open for October 2027 entry and offers comprehensive, fully funded support for eligible African applicants to one-year, full-time master’s courses. Apply through the Cambridge postgraduate portal and select the programme in the funding section. The deadline is the funding deadline for the chosen course—normally 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, at 11:59 p.m. UK time. Confirm the exact date on the course page.

Host: University of Cambridge, UK
Level: One-year, full-time master’s
Funding: Course fee, living allowance, return flight and key study and immigration costs
Audience: Eligible citizens of African countries
Deadline: Usually 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. UK time

Scholarship benefits

Cambridge describes the award as comprehensive support. Published benefits include:

the full University course fee;
a monthly living allowance;
a return economy flight;
student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs;
a laptop and other programme-supported study costs;
orientation, leadership development, mentoring and transition support.

No single total value is published because fees and individual costs vary.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

be a citizen of an African country;
normally reside in an African country. Applicants temporarily studying or working abroad, displaced applicants and refugees may also qualify under the programme rules;
hold a bachelor’s degree and meet the selected course’s academic entry requirements;
apply to an eligible one-year, full-time master’s course for October 2027 entry;
show commitment to community service, Africa, sustainability and climate resilience;
meet the programme’s access and financial-support criteria.

The award is not for undergraduate or PhD study. Cambridge’s general academic minimum is normally equivalent to a UK 2:1, but many courses require a higher standard.

Deadlines

There is no single scholarship deadline. Applicants must submit by the funding deadline shown for their course, generally 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027. Cambridge states that application deadlines close at 11:59 p.m. UK time. A course may have an earlier or different deadline, so the Course Directory controls.

Documents

Requirements vary by course, but a complete application commonly includes:

academic transcripts and degree records;
a CV or résumé;
references uploaded by referees;
a statement, research proposal or writing sample when the course requests one;
the Mastercard Foundation scholarship statement and funding questions;
English-language evidence when required;
identity and fee-waiver evidence where applicable.

Upload documents through the Applicant Portal. References must arrive by the relevant deadline, so invite referees early.

English-language tests

There is no programme-wide minimum score. Cambridge accepts IELTS Academic and other approved qualifications; some courses also accept C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. Required scores are course-specific. Check the exact course page and do not borrow another course’s threshold.

Application fee and waiver

The standard fee for most Cambridge master’s applications is £85. Some applicants receive an automatic waiver. African Mastercard Foundation applicants who are not automatically exempt may request the programme-specific waiver after starting—but before submitting—the Cambridge application. The published request deadline is 20 November 2026. Do not pay first if you intend to request a waiver, because the waiver process does not refund a fee already paid.

How to apply

Choose an eligible one-year, full-time master’s course in the Cambridge Course Directory.
Check its academic, English, document and funding requirements.
Create an Applicant Portal account and start the course application.
Request references and upload every required document.
Select funding consideration and choose the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme when it appears.
Complete the scholarship statement and additional questions.
If needed, request the programme fee waiver before 20 November 2026 and wait for the decision.
Submit the complete application by the course funding deadline at 11:59 p.m. UK time.

Apply Now on the Official Cambridge Programme Site

Selection

Course admission and scholarship selection are related but distinct. Cambridge assesses academic readiness for the chosen course. The programme also considers leadership, service, financial circumstances, commitment to sustainability and climate resilience, and potential impact in Africa.

Frequently asked questions

Is it fully funded?

Yes. The official benefits include the course fee, living support, return travel, visa and health-surcharge costs, a laptop and wider programme support.

Who can apply?

Eligible citizens of African countries who meet residence, academic, course and programme criteria.

Is there a separate scholarship portal?

The scholarship application is integrated into the Cambridge postgraduate application. Select the programme in the funding section and answer its additional questions.

What is the deadline?

It varies by course, usually 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. UK time.

Can PhD students apply?

No. This programme supports eligible one-year, full-time master’s courses.

Is IELTS compulsory?

Only when required for the applicant and course. Accepted tests and minimum scores vary by course.

Official sources

Related opportunities

ScholarshipHubNow is independent of the University of Cambridge and the Mastercard Foundation. Requirements may change; rely on the official programme, Course Directory and Applicant Portal.