Edinburgh Online Mastercard Scholarship in UK for Africans 2027

Online studies are an excellent way to earn a qualification for those who would like to continue working and prefer to study in their local context (for example, to be closer to their families).

Master's programmes normally aim at those who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to develop more specialised knowledge in the same subject or similar career area.

The Edinburgh Online Mastercard Scholarship is designed to cover three years of part-time online study for specific programs

To be considered for the University of Edinburgh Global Mastercard Online Scholarship, you must:

• Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed.

• You will generally need to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher. Find out more about the postgraduate entry requirements for your country: Postgraduate entry requirements

• Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).

• Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study by September 2027 and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 21 November.

• Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.

• Applicants must have faced barriers to education and early career

• Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.

• Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis

• Applicants must be 35 or under as of 1 September 2027.

• Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.

• If applying for the online Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.

• If applying for the online Postgraduate Diploma: Applicants can either have an undergraduate or Master’s degree from a Sub-Saharan African university (provided they will graduate from either degree).

• If you have a Master’s degree, our admissions team will review your first degree (undergraduate) to meet the postgraduate diploma entry requirement. The Scholars Program will review your Master’s degree transcripts to confirm your university’s graduation date and location.

• We particularly welcome applications from female scholars, scholars from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and scholars with disabilities.

The Edinburgh Global Mastercard Online Scholarship is designed to cover three years of part-time online study.

The scholarship will cover:

• Covers full approved tuition fees: scholars will not pay for any part of the tuition fees.

• Academic stipend to allow for access to high-quality internet and a laptop.

• The opportunity to attend an in-person gathering.

• Participation in activities as part of the wider Scholars Program climate leadership programme at the University of Edinburgh, including regular online workshops, online coaching and support.

• A dedicated Online Coordinator

• Additional support is offered to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs.

If you are interested in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh, interested and qualified candidates should;

• 1

  Click the green button below to go to the scholarship webpage.

• 2

  Attend a mandatory information session to learn about the eligibility requirements and application process between September 15 and 24, 2026.

• 3

  On 13 October 2026, eligible attendees will be notified whether they are invited to apply. If you are invited, you will receive an invitation through SurveyMonkey Apply.

• 4

  If you are invited to apply, you will complete the application in two stages:

The Applicant Declaration Form is the first stage of the scholarship application. It asks for additional information to confirm your eligibility. The deadline is 19 October 2026, 5 pm UK time.

Applicants who complete the Applicant Declaration Form will be invited to complete the Scholarship Main Application. The deadline for applications is 19 November 2026, 5 pm UK time.