The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town is open for applications. This is not just a scholarship, though the money matters. It is a full package: mentoring, leadership development, academic and life skills support, career guidance, and entrepreneurship training. Scholars are expected to engage in community upliftment projects and get involved in everything UCT has to offer. The program is for academically talented young Africans who face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education.
Prospective applicants must know that applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is not the same as applying to UCT. Prospective scholars must submit an academic application to UCT first, then apply for the scholarship separately. Only applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT will be eligible for the program. No offer, no scholarship. Simple as that.
The program is available to students applying for their first bachelor’s degree or for an eligible postgraduate diploma, honors degree, or master’s degree at UCT. It does not cover part-time studies or qualifications by research only, such as a master’s by dissertation or a PhD. So if you are planning a research-only route, look elsewhere.
Program Details
- Host institution: University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa.
- Fields of study: Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science.
- Number of awards: Not specified.
- Duration: Normal duration of the study program.
- Target group: Citizens of African countries, including South Africa. Open to those applying for their first bachelor’s degree or an eligible taught postgraduate program.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT Benefits
The program provides a comprehensive support package that goes well beyond tuition. Selected scholars receive:
- Full financial support for their studies.
- Mentoring and leadership development.
- Academic and life skills support.
- Career development and entrepreneurship training.
- Opportunities to engage in community upliftment projects.
- Access to the full UCT experience and a lifelong network of changemakers.
Eligible Programs at UCT
please find below the list of faculties where successful applicants can study with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town:
- Commerce
- Engineering & the Built Environment
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Law
- Science
Eligible postgraduate programs include:
- A postgraduate diploma offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences;
- An honors degree offered by any of UCT’s six faculties; or
- A coursework master’s program offered by any of UCT’s six faculties.
Students admitted to the Integrated Master’s Programme through the African Climate & Development Initiative and the Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) via the Africa Health Collaborative are also eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
The program does not cover part-time studies or qualifications by research only (master’s by dissertation or PhD).
Other Opportunities
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT Eligibility
To apply for this foundation scholarship proram, applicants should:
- Be a citizen of an African country, including South Africa.
- Be applying for their first bachelor’s degree or an eligible taught postgraduate program at UCT.
- Demonstrate academic talent and a commitment to excellence.
- Face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education.
- Demonstrate potential for transformative and ethical leadership.
- Be committed to serving their communities and contributing to positive change.
Selection Criteria for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT
The selection committee looks for candidates who are:
- Academically talented with a demonstrated commitment to learning and a drive to complete their education.
- Limited in their ability to access education owing to significant financial barriers.
- Committed to investing in their community through the skills and knowledge they acquire.
- Future leaders committed to ethical transformation and making a positive contribution to their community and broader society.
Commitment to Inclusion : The program encourages applications from young women, people living with disabilities, refugees, forcibly displaced youth, and all young people whose access to opportunity has been impeded by social and economic barriers.
How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT
Interested candidate who would like to apply for this scholarship program must follow these three steps. In order.
- Review UCT’s website for information about study options: https://uct.ac.za/applicants-and-students
- Submit your application to the University of Cape Town at applyonline.uct.ac.za.
- Submit your Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application at www.uct.ac.za/mastercardfdn.
Note : Undergraduate applications for the 2027 intake at UCT are closed, but postgraduate applications remain open. Applicants should check with the relevant UCT faculty for programme-specific requirements and deadlines.
- For applicants to a UCT bachelor’s degree: 30 September 2026.
- For applicants to an eligible postgraduate diploma in the Faculty of Health Sciences or an honors degree or master’s program at UCT: 31 October 2026.
Those who have already applied for an undergraduate bachelor’s degree at UCT may apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program if they meet all eligibility requirements. But only applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT will be eligible for the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. These are two separate applications. You must first submit an academic application to UCT, then apply separately for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Only applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT will be eligible for the scholarship.
For applicants to a UCT bachelor’s degree: 30 September 2026. For applicants to an eligible postgraduate diploma in health sciences or an honors degree or master’s program: 31 October 2026.
Citizens of African countries, including South Africa, who are applying for their first bachelor’s degree or an eligible taught postgraduate program at UCT, demonstrate academic talent, face significant social and economic barriers, show leadership potential, and are committed to serving their communities.
Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science. Eligible postgraduate programs include a postgraduate diploma in health sciences, an honors degree in any faculty, or a coursework master’s in any faculty.
No. The program does not cover part-time studies or qualifications by research only, such as a master’s by dissertation or a PhD.
Yes, if you meet all eligibility requirements. But only applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT will be eligible for the program.
The deadline for undergraduate applicants is . The deadline for postgraduate applicants is . For more details on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT, please visit the official page.