University of Cape Town Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 South Africa (Fully Funded)

The University of Cape Town Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 is accepting applications from academically talented students from across Africa. The fully funded scholarship supports young Africans who have strong academic potential but face financial, social, or economic barriers to accessing higher education.

The University of Cape Town, commonly known as UCT, is one of Africa’s leading research universities. Through its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, UCT provides eligible students with financial assistance, accommodation, academic support, leadership development, career preparation, and access to an international network of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and alumni.

The programme is available for selected undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications beginning in 2027. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate academic excellence, ethical leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to contributing to Africa’s development.

What It Covers

• Full university tuition fees
• UCT campus accommodation
• Monthly living expenses
• Meals and essential personal expenses
• Laptop and required academic materials
• Textbooks and study resources
• Medical aid
• Study visa support for international students
• Annual travel between the scholar’s home country and South Africa
• Academic mentoring and tutoring
• Leadership-development activities
• Career-readiness and employability training
• Entrepreneurship-development opportunities
• Internship and community-engagement opportunities
• Access to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars alumni network

Funding is renewed annually, subject to satisfactory academic performance, personal conduct, and participation in the programme’s required activities.

Eligible Fields of Study

• Commerce
• Engineering and the Built Environment
• Health Sciences
• Humanities
• Law
• Science

Postgraduate applicants must confirm that their specific programme qualifies for Mastercard Foundation support before submitting an application.

Who Can Apply

• Citizens of an African country, including South Africa
• Applicants for a first undergraduate degree or an eligible postgraduate programme
• Students who can demonstrate strong academic ability and commitment to completing their education
• Applicants who face significant financial, social, or economic barriers
• Applicants who demonstrate leadership potential and ethical values
• Applicants with evidence of community service or social impact
• Applicants committed to using their education to support their community and contribute to Africa
• Applicants who meet the admission requirements of the University of Cape Town
• Applicants available to study full-time at UCT

The programme especially encourages applications from:

• Young women
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Forcibly displaced young people
• Persons with disabilities
• Students from economically disadvantaged communities

The scholarship does not cover part-time qualifications, PhD programmes, or master’s degrees completed entirely by dissertation or research.

Eligible Study Levels: First undergraduate bachelor’s degree, eligible postgraduate diploma in the Faculty of Health Sciences, honours degree in any of UCT’s six faculties, and eligible coursework master’s degree
Study Levels: Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma, Honours, and Master’s
Host Institution: University of Cape Town
Host Country: South Africa
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Undergraduate Scholarship Deadline: September 30, 2026
Postgraduate Deadline: October 31, 2026

Undergraduate admission applications to UCT have already closed. Therefore, the undergraduate scholarship route is available only to candidates who submitted their UCT admission applications before the university’s admission deadline. Postgraduate applicants should also check their faculty and programme deadlines, as some academic programmes may close before the Mastercard Foundation scholarship deadline.

Documents You May Need

• Valid passport or national identification
• Academic transcripts
• Examination results or degree certificates
• Proof of application or admission to UCT
• Personal statement or motivation letter
• Evidence of financial need
• Leadership and community-service information
• References or recommendation letters where requested
• Supporting documents required by the selected faculty

How to Apply

First, identify an eligible programme at the University of Cape Town and review its academic admission requirements. Submit an online application for admission to UCT and upload all required academic documents. After completing the university application, submit the separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application through the official UCT application page.

Applicants must complete both processes. Applying for the scholarship does not replace the UCT admission application, and receiving admission does not automatically guarantee a scholarship. Only applicants who receive an eligible offer of admission from UCT can ultimately be selected for the programme.