Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge
Funds African citizens for a one-year full-time master's at Cambridge, covering tuition and a monthly maintenance allowance.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Master’s
Destination
United Kingdom
Funding
Aims to cover tuition costs and a monthly maintenance allowance; the allowance amount is not given on the pages read.
Eligible applicants
African citizens, one-year full-time master's
Photo: Dmitry Tonkonog, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge is offered by University of Cambridge for Master’s study in United Kingdom. Confirm the current cycle on the official page before applying.
What this scholarship covers
Tuition fees
Included
Monthly maintenance allowance
Included
Travel
Not specified
Aims to cover tuition costs and a monthly maintenance allowance; the allowance amount is not given on the pages read. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Based on the provider’s published information
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
See official criteria
Scholarship scope
Foundation scholarship
Last eligibility check
October 13, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Citizen of an African country.
- International eligibility
- Application fee waiver is automatic for listed countries; others must submit a waiver form with transcript and passport by 18 November 2026.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordRequired
- Meet the course entry requirement; most courses ask for a first-class undergraduate degree, some a good second-class.
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Language requirements
- English languageRequired
- Most courses require IELTS 7.0 or 7.5; applicants may apply without a result and receive a conditional offer.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- United Kingdom
Official eligibility summary
Applicants must be citizens of an African country and live in Africa unless temporarily abroad for study or work (displaced people and refugees are exempt from the residence rule). They must apply for a full-time master's course of up to one year; the MBA, MCL, MFIN and MACC are excluded. They must meet the course's academic entry requirement, usually a first-class degree and sometimes a good second-class degree.
Applicant profile
- African citizens, one-year full-time master's
Study route
- Master’s study in United Kingdom
Current-cycle criteria
- Applicants must be citizens of an African country and live in Africa unless temporarily abroad for study or work (displaced people and refugees are exempt from the residence rule). They must apply for a full-time master's course of up to one year; the MBA, MCL, MFIN and MACC are excluded. They must meet the course's academic entry requirement, usually a first-class degree and sometimes a good second-class degree.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- Scholarship statement
- Transcript and passport copy (fee waiver form)
- English test result (usually IELTS)
How to apply
- 1
Open your course in the Cambridge postgraduate course directory, click Apply Now and create an account
- 2
Request the application fee waiver if your country is not automatic
- 3
Opt in for funding and select the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- 4
Write the scholarship statement
- 5
Submit by the course funding deadline and choose a College
Application timeline
Application cycle
Fee waiver form for non-automatic countries due 18 November 2026; the funding deadline is usually early December or January depending on the course; offer letters late March or early April; outstanding documents such as IELTS by 31 July.
Confirm the current dates on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
University of Cambridge
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 13, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
No exact deadline is listed here. Check the official provider page for the next application cycle.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.