University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship
Applications are now open for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for 2025/2026. The program seeks exceptional young individuals with strong academic and leadership backgrounds who have overcome challenges in their education and are determined to continue their studies. The scholarship is available for online learning at the University of Edinburgh.
Online learning is a flexible way to earn a qualification for those who wish to keep working and study in their home countries. Degrees earned through online learning are equivalent to those taught on campus at the University of Edinburgh.
You can apply for either:
- Online Masters (part-time over 3 years)
- Online Postgraduate Diploma (part-time over 2 years)
Online Masters
The Masters programs are for students who already have an undergraduate degree and want to specialize further in their field or a related career area. Applicants who already have a postgraduate qualification cannot apply for the online Masters.
Online Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate diplomas are aimed at individuals looking to switch careers and are more focused on practical skills. Candidates with an undergraduate or Master’s degree from a university in Sub-Saharan Africa can apply. However, they must provide their degree certificates and transcripts by the application deadline.
Eligible Programs:
- International Development (Masters only)
- Global Food Security and Nutrition (Masters or Diploma)
- Global Challenges (Masters or Diploma)
- Carbon Management (Masters only)
- One Health (Masters or Diploma)
- Circular Economy (Masters or Diploma)
- Sustainable Lands and Cities (Masters or Diploma)
- Social Justice and Community Action (Masters or Diploma)
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Eligibility Requirements for University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship:
To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- You must meet the academic requirements for the program at the University of Edinburgh. Generally, this means having the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree.
- Applicants must have faced significant barriers to their education, such as social, financial, personal, or health-related challenges.
- You must have completed undergraduate studies and be able to submit your degree certificate and final transcript by 8 November 2024.
- Applicants must be citizens or residents (or hold refugee status) in a Sub-Saharan African country.
- You must have a history of leadership and community service.
- Applicants must show experience or ambition in addressing climate change.
- You must be 35 years old or younger by the start of the program in 2025 (born on or after 1 January 1990). Those born in 1989 or earlier are not eligible.
- For the Masters program, you cannot have completed a postgraduate degree before or be enrolled in another university.
- For the Postgraduate Diploma, you can have either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from a Sub-Saharan African university, provided you submit the necessary documents by 8 November 2024.
The program particularly encourages applications from women, refugees, displaced individuals, and people with disabilities.
Benefits of University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship:
- Full tuition coverage
- Academic stipend for internet access and a laptop
- An in-person gathering
- Participation in the Climate Leadership Program, which includes online workshops, coaching, and support
- A dedicated Online Coordinator
- Additional support for students with disabilities based on their needs
Selection Criteria for University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship:
- Academic merit and qualification for admission to the University of Edinburgh
- Track record as a transformative leader and community service
- Quality of application, especially regarding climate justice
- Potential to positively impact the applicant’s home country
- Experience overcoming barriers to education (social, financial, personal, or health-related)
How to Apply for University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship:
To apply, you must meet the academic requirements of the University of Edinburgh. It is required that applicants apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program before applying to the university.
If you have questions that aren’t answered in the FAQs, please contact: mcfsp@ed.ac.uk
Application Timeline 2025/2026:
- 1 October 2024, 10:00 AM (UK Time): Applications Open
- 31 October 2024, 5:00 PM (UK Time): Deadline for completing the first stage of the application (Declaration and Eligibility Assessment)
- 8 November 2024, 5:00 PM (UK Time): Final Application Deadline
- Mid-November 2024 – January 2025: University committees review all eligible applications
- Mid-February 2025: Applicants are notified about the outcome; online applicants are invited to interviews
- End February – Mid-March 2025: Online interviews
- End March 2025: Interview outcomes announced
- April – August 2025: Support provided for the admissions process
- September 2025: Program begins