University of Cape Town MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program 2027: Fully Funded Study in South Africa

 

Apply for the University of Cape Town MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program 2027, a fully funded scholarship for academically talented young Africans pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies at UCT in South Africa. This comprehensive scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, a laptop, medical aid, study visa, and annual travel to and from UCT. Beyond financial support, scholars receive mentoring, leadership development, academic and life skills support, career development, and entrepreneurship training. Recipients join a lifelong network of changemakers through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network. The scholarship is renewable annually based on satisfactory academic performance and participation in development programmes. Ideal candidates demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership potential, commitment to social impact, and dedication to advancing development in Africa. Applicants must first secure admission to an eligible UCT programme, then submit a separate scholarship application.

 Overview

Criteria	Details
Scholarship	MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
Host University	University of Cape Town (UCT)
Country	South Africa
Study Level	Undergraduate & Postgraduate
Eligibility	Academically talented young Africans
Funding Type	Fully Funded
Renewable	Yes (annually, subject to performance)
Application Deadline	31 October 2026

About the Program

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town provides scholarships to academically talented young Africans to pursue both undergraduate and postgraduate studies at one of Africa's leading universities.

This transformative program goes beyond financial assistance, offering a holistic support system designed to nurture the next generation of ethical and transformative African leaders. Scholars are expected to engage in community upliftment projects and take full advantage of everything UCT has to offer.

Scholarship Benefits

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program covers the full period of your UCT programme of study, with comprehensive support that includes:

Benefit	Coverage
Tuition Fees	Full coverage for your chosen programme
Laptop	Provided to each scholar
Accommodation	On-campus housing at UCT
Living Expenses	Monthly stipend for daily needs
Medical Aid	Health insurance coverage
Study Visa	Covered where applicable
Travel	Annual travel to and from UCT

Additional Development Support

Beyond financial coverage, scholars benefit from a robust support system:

Support Area	Details
Mentoring	Guidance from experienced mentors
Leadership Development	Programs to build transformative leadership skills
Academic Support	Tutoring and academic development resources
Life Skills	Personal development and life skills training
Career Development	Career readiness and professional preparation
Entrepreneurship Training	Skills to launch and manage ventures
Peer Support	Community of fellow scholars

Eligibility Requirements

The scholarship targets academically talented young Africans who demonstrate the following qualities:

Requirement	Description
Academic Excellence	Strong academic performance and track record
Leadership Potential	Demonstrated leadership qualities
Social Impact Commitment	Dedication to making a positive difference
Development Focus	Commitment to advancing development in Africa
Community Transformation	Interest in contributing to community change

How to apply?

Prospective applicants should note that applying for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a separate process from applying for academic admission to the University of Cape Town.

Two-Step Application Process

Step	Action	Details
Step 1	Apply for UCT Admission	Submit application to an eligible academic programme
Step 2	Apply for the Scholarship	Submit a separate MasterCard Foundation application

Official Links

Resource	URL
Official Program Page	www.uct.ac.za/mastercardfdn
UCT Admissions	www.uct.ac.za

Other Fully Funded Scholarship Opportunities

If you're exploring international study options, there are several other prestigious fully funded scholarships worth considering:

Study in Belgium

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Study in the United Kingdom

The prestigious Chevening Scholarships provide 1,500 fully funded scholarships for outstanding students worldwide to pursue Master's degrees in the UK, including tuition, living costs, and travel.

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