Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 (University of Cape Town) – Fully Funded Undergraduate & Postgraduate Degrees, Campus Housing, Stipend, Laptop & Flights

Overview & Description

If you are an academically talented African youth, refugee, or person living with a disability aiming to study at Africa’s top-ranked university, financial barriers like international tuition, visa costs, and living expenses in South Africa can seem impossible to overcome. Finding an award that covers every operational expense—from a personal laptop to annual flights back home—is rare. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (UCT) bridges that exact gap, giving you complete financial freedom and ethical leadership training so you can focus on driving transformative change across the continent.

Quick Summary: The University of Cape Town (UCT), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is officially accepting applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 intake. Open to African citizens (including South Africans), this fully funded award supports candidates pursuing a first Bachelor’s degree, an eligible Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, an Honours degree, or a coursework Master’s degree.

Overview / What This Opportunity Entails

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT is a holistic initiative designed to nurture the next generation of ethical, transformative African leaders. It targets young people who demonstrate strong academic potential but face severe social and economic barriers to accessing higher education.

Selected scholars gain access to top-tier academic facilities across UCT’s faculties (Commerce, Engineering & Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science). Alongside academic funding, scholars undergo structured leadership development, career readiness training, entrepreneurship incubators, and peer mentorship to ensure smooth post-graduation transitions.

Core Details & Key Responsibilities / Benefits

Selected UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive end-to-end financial and personal support throughout their studies:

• 100% Academic Coverage: Full payment of all UCT tuition and academic registration fees.
• Living & Technical Equipment: Guaranteed campus accommodation, monthly living allowances, meal support, and a brand-new personal laptop.
• Travel & Legal Coverage: Annual round-trip flight tickets between your home country and Cape Town, study visa application fees, and South African medical aid coverage.
• Leadership & Career Incubation: Access to specialized leadership development, internship placements, entrepreneurship workshops, and lifelong alumni networks.

Self-Qualification: Do You Match the Profile?

Review these strict eligibility guidelines before submitting your application:

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of an African country (including South African nationals).
• Eligible Academic Level: Must be applying for an eligible program at UCT:
  • A first Bachelor’s degree (for candidates who already submitted their UCT academic application).
  • An eligible Postgraduate Diploma in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
  • An Honours degree across any of UCT’s 6 faculties.
  • A coursework Master’s degree across any of UCT’s 6 faculties.
• Socio-Economic Need: Proven track record of high academic talent alongside financial barriers that prevent access to higher education.
• Priority Groups: Applications are strongly encouraged from young women, refugees, displaced youth, and persons living with disabilities.

AI Application Prompts (Use ChatGPT / Claude)

Copy and paste these custom AI prompts to quickly draft your scholarship essay materials:

• Prompt 1: Transformative Leadership Essay Draft“Act as an elite scholarship selection committee advisor. I am applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town for a degree in [insert course, e.g., Master of Public Health, Civil Engineering]. Draft a compelling 300-word personal essay demonstrating how I have overcome socio-economic barriers, my community service record, and my vision for ethical leadership in Africa.”
• Prompt 2: UCT Application Essay Outline (Max 2,000 words)“Help me structure my 2,000-word essay for the UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. Create a 5-section outline covering: 1) My personal and financial background, 2) Academic accomplishments and resilience, 3) Practical community leadership initiatives I have led, 4) Why studying at UCT is essential for my career goals, and 5) My long-term plan to contribute to economic and social development in Africa.”

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Follow these sequential application steps to ensure your candidate package is considered:

1. Submit Academic Application to UCT: Submit your academic application for an eligible study program on the UCT portal (applyonline.uct.ac.za) to receive your official UCT Applicant Number.
2. Gather Required Supporting Documents: Prepare your CV (max 3 pages), proof of residence, financial income evidence, letter of recommendation, and essay draft.
3. Submit Mastercard Foundation Form: Complete and submit the separate online scholarship form on the official UCT Scholars website (uct.ac.za/mastercardfdn) before the closing deadline.

Key Scholarship Deadlines

• Bachelor’s Applicants: 30 September 2026 (Must already hold a UCT academic application)
• Postgraduate Applicants (PgDip, Honours, Master’s): 31 October 2026

How to Submit Your Application

Click the Apply Now button below to access the official portal and submit your details directly.