The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027 offers a fully funded postgraduate opportunity for outstanding young people from Sub-Saharan Africa who have overcome significant educational or socioeconomic barriers and demonstrate strong academic, leadership, and community-impact potential.
Funded through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the scholarship enables successful scholars to pursue an eligible one-year on-campus Master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. The program provides comprehensive financial support, including tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, study materials, a laptop, travel, and other approved costs.
The scholarship is particularly aimed at talented, entrepreneurial, compassionate, and socially responsible young people who are committed to addressing the climate crisis. Through postgraduate study and the Climate Leadership Program, scholars gain academic knowledge, leadership skills, professional networks, and practical experience to create positive and sustainable change in their communities and beyond.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027 – Key Details
- Scholarship Name: University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027
- Host University: University of Edinburgh
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Study Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Study Level: Postgraduate | Master’s
- Study Duration: One year
- Eligible Countries: Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Funding Program: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Study Mode: On-campus
- Focus Area: Climate leadership, sustainability, and related fields
- Benefits: Tuition fees, living stipend, accommodation, travel, study materials, laptop, and additional support
- English Language Test: No IELTS Required*
- Age Requirement: Under 35 years old on September 1, 2027
- Application Deadline: November 19, 2026
*Applicants should carefully review the English-language and admission requirements of their selected University of Edinburgh postgraduate program.
About the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027
The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is designed to support talented young people from Sub-Saharan Africa who have demonstrated academic potential, leadership ability, community involvement, and a commitment to addressing major challenges such as climate change.
The program supports scholars who have faced significant barriers during their education or early careers and provides them with the opportunity to access postgraduate education at one of the United Kingdom’s leading universities.
Successful scholars study on campus at the University of Edinburgh and participate in development and leadership activities alongside their academic program. The scholarship aims to prepare a new generation of leaders who can contribute to sustainable development and positive change in their communities and countries.
A major component of the program is its emphasis on climate leadership. Scholars receive opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, networks, and leadership capacity required to address climate-related challenges and promote long-term solutions.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027, applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
- Meet the academic entry requirements for an eligible postgraduate program at the University of Edinburgh, normally equivalent to a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree or above.
- Have completed their undergraduate degree and submitted their official transcript and final degree certificate by November 19, 2026.
- Be a citizen, resident, or refugee of a country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Have experienced significant barriers or challenges during their education or early career.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a record of volunteering or community involvement.
- Demonstrate knowledge of, experience with, or a strong commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
- Be under 35 years of age on September 1, 2027.
- Not be enrolled at another university while receiving the scholarship.
- Not already hold a previous postgraduate degree.
- Meet the admission requirements of the selected eligible Master’s program.
Women, refugees and displaced people, and applicants with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship Benefits
Fully Funded Financial Support
The scholarship provides comprehensive financial assistance to successful scholars, helping remove many of the financial barriers associated with studying for a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
Tuition Fees
Approved tuition fees for the eligible postgraduate program are covered under the scholarship.
Living-Cost Stipend
Scholars receive financial support toward their living expenses while studying in Edinburgh.
Accommodation
The scholarship provides accommodation support for successful scholars during their postgraduate studies.
Airfare and Travel Support
Eligible scholars receive travel support, including airfare, according to the applicable scholarship arrangements.
Study Materials and Laptop
Scholars receive support for essential study materials and a laptop to help them successfully complete their academic work.
Climate Leadership Program
The Climate Leadership Program provides scholars with training, guidance, leadership development, and opportunities to build networks that can help them create meaningful climate-related impact in their communities and countries.
Additional Disability Support
Students with disabilities may be eligible for additional support based on an individual needs assessment.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the documents required for both the University of Edinburgh postgraduate application and the Mastercard Foundation scholarship process. These may include:
- Undergraduate degree certificate
- Official academic transcripts
- CV or résumé
- Personal statement or motivation statement
- Evidence of leadership and community involvement
- Evidence of volunteer experience
- Documents demonstrating relevant climate-related experience or interest
- Proof of citizenship, residency, or refugee status, where required
- References or recommendation letters, if requested
- English-language evidence, where required by the selected degree program
- Other supporting documents required by the University of Edinburgh
Applicants should carefully review the official scholarship instructions and the admission requirements for their chosen Master’s program before submitting an application.
How to Apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027?
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Review the scholarship eligibility requirements and make sure you meet the academic, age, geographical, leadership, and other criteria.
Step 2: Choose an Eligible Master’s Program
Identify an eligible postgraduate program at the University of Edinburgh that matches your academic background and career goals, particularly programs relevant to sustainability, climate action, and related areas.
Step 3: Prepare Your Academic Documents
Prepare your degree certificate, official transcripts, CV, personal statements, references, and other required supporting documents.
Step 4: Demonstrate Your Leadership and Impact
Clearly present your leadership experience, volunteer activities, community involvement, and efforts to create positive change.
Step 5: Highlight Your Climate Commitment
Explain your experience, knowledge, or genuine interest in tackling the climate crisis and how your proposed studies will help you contribute to climate-related solutions.
Step 6: Complete the Application
Follow the official University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application process and provide all required information before the deadline.
Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline
Make sure your completed application and required documents are submitted by November 19, 2026.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027 is November 19, 2026.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin preparing their academic documents, personal statements, evidence of leadership, and other supporting materials well before the deadline.
Who Should Apply?
The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship is particularly suitable for young people from Sub-Saharan Africa who have experienced significant barriers to education or early career development and have demonstrated strong academic and leadership potential.
The scholarship is especially relevant for applicants who are passionate about:
- Climate change and climate action
- Sustainability
- Environmental challenges
- Community development
- Leadership
- Social impact
- Sustainable development
- Creating positive change in their communities
Women, refugees and displaced people, and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Apply Now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027?
The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship for eligible young people from Sub-Saharan Africa. It supports selected scholars pursuing an eligible one-year Master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.
2. Is the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, including approved tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, travel, study materials, and a laptop.
3. Who can apply for the Mastercard Scholarship at Edinburgh?
The scholarship is intended for eligible applicants from Sub-Saharan African countries who have faced significant educational or socioeconomic barriers and demonstrate academic ability, leadership potential, community involvement, and a commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
4. What degree level does the scholarship support?
The scholarship supports postgraduate Master’s-level study at the University of Edinburgh.
5. How long is the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship?
The scholarship supports a one-year postgraduate program, subject to the specific eligible degree and scholarship conditions.
6. What countries are eligible?
Applicants must be citizens, residents, or refugees of a country in Sub-Saharan Africa and must meet all other scholarship eligibility requirements.
7. What is the age limit for the scholarship?
Applicants must be under 35 years old on September 1, 2027.
8. Do I need IELTS for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship?
The scholarship information provided states No IELTS Required. However, applicants must still meet the English-language requirements of their selected University of Edinburgh degree program where applicable.
9. Do I need a Bachelor’s degree to apply?
Yes. Applicants must meet the academic requirements for an eligible postgraduate program and must have completed their undergraduate degree, including submitting the required final certificate and official transcript by the stated deadline.
10. What academic qualification is required?
Applicants generally need an undergraduate qualification comparable to a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree or above, along with meeting the specific academic requirements of their selected Master’s program.
11. Can I apply if I already have a Master’s degree?
According to the stated eligibility criteria, applicants who already hold a previous postgraduate degree are not eligible.
12. Can refugees apply for the scholarship?
Yes. Refugees and displaced people are specifically encouraged to apply, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements.
13. Are women encouraged to apply?
Yes. Women are particularly encouraged to apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
14. Can students with disabilities apply?
Yes. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may be eligible for additional disability support based on an individual needs assessment.
15. What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship provides financial support including tuition fees, living expenses, accommodation, travel, study materials, a laptop, and additional support where applicable.
16. What is the Climate Leadership Program?
The Climate Leadership Program is designed to help scholars develop leadership skills, knowledge, networks, and practical capacity to address climate-related challenges and create positive change.
17. Where will I study?
Successful scholars will study on campus at the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
18. What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is November 19, 2026.
19. When must I have completed my undergraduate degree?
Applicants must have completed their undergraduate studies and submitted their official transcript and final certificate by November 19, 2026, according to the stated eligibility criteria.
20. Where can I apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027?
Interested applicants should use the official University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application page and carefully follow the instructions provided there.
