Educations

Edinburgh Online Mastercard Scholarship in UK for Africans 2027 | Fully Funded

Nairavoice · Aug 31, 2026 · 3 min read

The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is offering fully funded online postgraduate scholarships for eligible students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The opportunity is designed for young Africans who have demonstrated academic potential, leadership, community service, and a commitment to creating positive change.

The scholarship supports part-time online Master’s programmes for three years and selected postgraduate diploma programmes for two years, allowing successful scholars to study while remaining in their home countries.

Edinburgh Online Mastercard Scholarship 2027 Summary

Host Institution: University of Edinburgh
Study Location: Online
Level: Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma
Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan African countries
Funding: Fully funded
Additional Support: Laptop, internet support and academic stipend
Age Limit: 35 years or younger as of September 1, 2027
Master’s Duration: 3 years, part-time
Postgraduate Diploma Duration: 2 years, part-time
Main Application Deadline: November 19, 2026

What the Scholarship Covers

Successful scholars will receive comprehensive support throughout their studies. The scholarship covers approved tuition fees and provides an academic stipend to support access to a laptop and reliable internet.

Scholars will also have opportunities to participate in the University of Edinburgh’s wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, including climate leadership activities, online workshops, coaching and other forms of academic and personal support.

Additional assistance may be available for scholars with disabilities based on individual needs.

Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship Requirements

Applicants must meet the academic and programme requirements for their selected course at the University of Edinburgh. For most Master’s programmes, applicants are generally expected to hold the equivalent of a UK Upper Second-Class Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Applicants must also:

Be citizens and residents of, or hold refugee status in, a Sub-Saharan African country.
Be aged 35 or under by September 1, 2027.
Have experienced significant barriers to education, such as social, financial, personal or practical challenges.
Demonstrate leadership and service within their communities.
Show experience or strong ambition to contribute to addressing the climate crisis.
Have completed their undergraduate degree by September 2027 for the relevant programmes.
Meet the admission requirements for their chosen University of Edinburgh programme.

For the online Master’s scholarship, applicants should not already hold a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled, or planning to enrol, at another university while receiving the scholarship.

Applicants for the online postgraduate diploma may be eligible with either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from a Sub-Saharan African university, subject to the programme’s requirements.

The University of Edinburgh particularly encourages applications from women, refugees and displaced persons, and applicants with disabilities.

How to Apply for Edinburgh Online Mastercard Scholarship 2027

The application process begins with a mandatory information session. Interested applicants should visit the official scholarship page and attend an information session scheduled between September 15 and September 24, 2026.

Eligible attendees will be notified on October 13, 2026 if they are invited to submit an application.

Invited applicants will complete the process in two stages:

Applicant Declaration Form: This stage confirms the applicant’s eligibility and must be submitted by October 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM UK time.
Scholarship Main Application: Applicants who successfully complete the declaration stage will be invited to submit the full scholarship application. The deadline is November 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM UK time.

Applicants should ensure that they carefully review the eligibility requirements and prepare their academic and supporting documents before beginning the application.