- Provider: Mastercard Foundation
- Host country: South Africa
- Study level: Undergraduate, Postdoctoral
- Funding: Fully funded: Covers tuition fees, laptop, accommodation, living expenses, medical aid, study visa (where applicable), and annual travel.
- Who can apply: Academically talented young Africans with strong academic performance, leadership potential, and commitment to social impact.
- Fields of study: All eligible academic programmes at the University of Cape Town
- Deadline: 31 October 2026
About the scholarship
The University of Cape Town (UCT) MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program offers fully funded opportunities for academically talented young Africans to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in South Africa. Beyond financial aid, the program provides mentoring, leadership development, and career support to help students contribute to community transformation.
What it covers
- Tuition fees for the chosen programme
- A laptop computer
- Accommodation on UCT campuses
- Living expenses
- Medical aid
- Study visa (where applicable)
- Annual travel to and from UCT
Who can apply
Applicants must be young Africans who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership potential, and a commitment to social impact. You must also meet the specific academic entry requirements for your chosen faculty and programme at UCT.
How to apply
The application process involves two distinct steps. First, you must apply for admission to an eligible academic programme at the University of Cape Town. Only candidates who receive an offer of admission can be considered for the scholarship. Second, you must submit a separate application to the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program. Please note that the deadline for the scholarship application is 31 October 2026.
Apply on the official website →
Always apply on the official website. Genuine scholarships never ask you to pay an application or processing fee.
