University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

The University of Edinburgh now accepts applications for the Mastercard Foundation On-campus Postgraduate Scholarships. This programme seeks outstanding young individuals with strong academic and leadership backgrounds who have faced educational challenges. The University seeks those eager to continue their studies on campus and make the most of this opportunity.

This one-year postgraduate on-campus scholarship is available exclusively for the following programmes:

• Africa and International Development 
• Food Security
• Sustainable Energy Systems
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Data, Inequality and Society 
• Operational Research
• Environmental Sustainability
• Climate Change Finance and Investment
• Planetary Health
• Environment and Development

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must meet the academic requirements for admission to the University of Edinburgh. You typically need a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or equivalent. Check your country’s postgraduate entry requirements here.
• Applicants must have faced significant barriers to education. These could be social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related challenges.
• You must have completed an undergraduate degree and have both a degree certificate and final transcript ready by 8 November 2024.
• Applicants must be residents, citizens, or hold refugee status in a sub-Saharan African country.
• You should have faced barriers to education and your early career.
• Applicants must show a track record of leadership and community service.
• You should have experience or ambition in tackling the climate crisis.
• Applicants must be 35 or younger in the year the programme starts. For the 2025/26 academic year, only those born on or after 1 January 1990 are eligible.
• You should not have completed a postgraduate degree or be enrolled in another university during the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

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Benefits

• The scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, travel expenses, a living stipend, and study materials.
• It includes a climate leadership programme designed to inspire and support scholars in driving change within their communities and countries.
• Scholars with disabilities receive additional support based on assessed needs.

Selection process

The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:

• Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admission to the University of Edinburgh
• Track record as a transformative leader and service within their community.
• Quality of application in line with the Program’s theme of climate justice.
• Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
• Applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).

Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program before applying to the University

If you are applying solely for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship, you should only apply to the Scholars Program. After receiving a scholarship offer in March 2025, you can then apply to your chosen programme at the University of Edinburgh through the university’s admissions process. However, if you are considering other scholarships, you may apply to the University as well.

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Applications Timeline

1 October 2024, 10am UK time	Applications Open
31 October 2024, 5pm UK time	All applicants must have completed the first stage of the application – the Declaration and Eligibility Assessment. The SM Apply system will not permit new applications after 31 October 5pm.
8 November 2024, 5pm UK time	Applications close
Mid-November 2024 – January 2025	University committees assess all submitted eligible applications
Early February 2025	All applicants are notified of the outcome of their applications
Early February 2025	On-campus applicants are invited to Interview
Mid-February to March 2025	On-campus interviews take place
Mid-March 2025	On-campus interview outcomes will be announced
March-August 2025	Support provided through the admission and immigration process
September 2025	Academic programme starts

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APPLY HERE

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You can get more information by visitng the Official Webpage of the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships.