University of Edinburgh Mastercard Online Scholarship 2027/28 in UK

University of Edinburgh Mastercard Online Scholarship 2027/28 in UK

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The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Online Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship opportunity for eligible young people from Africa who want to study an online Master’s degree or postgraduate diploma at the University of Edinburgh. The scholarship is offered through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and is designed for applicants who have faced significant barriers to education and have leadership experience in their communities.

For the 2027/28 academic year, the University of Edinburgh has introduced a new application process. Prospective applicants must first attend a mandatory virtual information session between 15 and 24 September 2026. Attendance is required before eligible candidates can receive access to the scholarship application.

The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Online Scholarship covers approved tuition fees and provides an academic stipend to help scholars access a laptop and high-quality internet. Scholars can also participate in the university’s Climate Leadership Programme, online workshops, coaching, the Climate Enterprise School and other support activities.

University of Edinburgh Mastercard Online Scholarship 2027/28 Summary

Host CountryUnited Kingdom
Host UniversityUniversity of Edinburgh
Eligible NationalitiesAfrican countries
Degree LevelOnline Master’s & Postgraduate Diploma
Scholarship DurationUp to 3 years for Master’s / up to 2 years for Diploma
Deadline19 November 2026, 5pm UK time

Also Check: Asia Pacific University ADB Scholarship 2027 in Japan

University of Edinburgh Mastercard Online Scholarship Benefits

The online scholarship provides support for eligible scholars throughout their part-time postgraduate studies.

Benefits include:

  • Full approved tuition fees
  • Academic stipend for a laptop and high-quality internet
  • Opportunity to attend an in-person gathering
  • Online workshops, coaching and support
  • Climate Leadership Programme activities
  • Climate Enterprise School
  • Dedicated Online Coordinator
  • Additional disability support based on assessed needs
  • Transition support

The online Master’s programmes can normally be completed part-time over up to three years, while postgraduate diploma programmes can take up to two years. Online qualifications from the University of Edinburgh are equivalent to qualifications taught on campus.

Also Check: University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027 in UK

Eligible Online Degree Programmes

The University of Edinburgh currently lists the following online programmes for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship:

  • International Development, Master’s route only
  • Global Food Security and Nutrition, Master’s or Diploma
  • Climate Change Management, Master’s route only
  • One Health, Master’s or Diploma
  • Social Justice and Community Action, Master’s or Diploma
  • Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health, Master’s or Diploma
  • Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Master’s or Diploma
  • Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics, Master’s or Diploma
  • Digital Education, Master’s or Diploma
  • Data Science Technologies, Master’s route only

Also Check: UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 in Canada

University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship Eligibility

Applicants must meet both the academic and scholarship eligibility requirements.

For the 2027/28 intake, candidates must:

  • Be citizens and residents of an African country, or hold refugee status in an African country
  • Meet the academic requirements for their selected University of Edinburgh programme
  • Generally have the equivalent of a UK Upper Second-Class Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Have faced significant barriers to education or early-career opportunities
  • Demonstrate leadership and service within their community
  • Demonstrate experience or ambition to contribute to addressing the climate crisis
  • Be aged 35 or under when the programme begins
  • Have their undergraduate degree certificate and official final transcript available by 19 November 2026

For the online Master’s scholarship, applicants should not already hold a postgraduate qualification. For the online postgraduate diploma, applicants can have either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from an African university, subject to the programme’s requirements.

University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship Application Process

The application process for 2027/28 has several stages.

  • Check eligibility: Applicants should first review the scholarship and programme requirements.
  • Attend an information session: Online applicants can attend sessions on 17, 22 or 24 September 2026. Attendance is mandatory.
  • Receive an invitation: Eligible attendees will be notified on 13 October 2026 through SurveyMonkey Apply.
  • Submit the Applicant Declaration Form: The first application stage closes on 19 October 2026 at 5pm UK time. The university may close the form earlier if the application limit is reached.
  • Submit the main scholarship application: The final deadline is 19 November 2026 at 5pm UK time.

Applicants should not apply for their chosen degree programme at this stage if the Mastercard Foundation scholarship is their only scholarship application at Edinburgh. Successful scholarship recipients will later be invited to apply through the university’s standard admissions process.

University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship Deadline 2026

The key dates for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Online Scholarship 2027/28 are:

  • 15-24 September 2026: Mandatory virtual information sessions
  • 13 October 2026: Eligible applicants invited to apply
  • 19 October 2026, 5pm UK time: Applicant Declaration Form deadline
  • 19 November 2026, 5pm UK time: Main scholarship application deadline
  • Mid-February to March 2027: Online applicant interviews
  • End of March 2027: Online interview outcomes
  • September 2027: Academic programmes begin

How to Apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Online Scholarship

Interested applicants should first review the official eligibility requirements and register for a mandatory virtual information session. Only eligible attendees who complete this step can receive an invitation to the scholarship application.


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