University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Master's in the UK

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The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship for eligible young people from Africa. The programme is offered by the University of Edinburgh in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. For the 2027/28 academic year, the scholarship will support students studying selected postgraduate programmes either on campus in Edinburgh or through eligible online programmes.

The on-campus scholarship is designed for students who have strong academic and leadership backgrounds, have faced significant barriers to education, and want to contribute to addressing the climate crisis. Successful on-campus scholars will study a one-year, full-time postgraduate taught Master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh.

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University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship 2027 Details

University: University of Edinburgh
Scholarship: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Study level: Postgraduate Master’s
Study mode: On-campus and online options
On-campus duration: One year, full-time
Eligible region: African countries
Study location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom, for on-campus scholars
Application opening: 13 October 2026
Main application deadline: 19 November 2026, 5pm UK time

Also Check: UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 in Canada

What Does the Mastercard Scholarship Cover?

The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for selected on-campus Master’s students. According to the university, the scholarship covers:

Full approved tuition fees
Accommodation
Travel
Living-cost stipend
Study materials
Additional support for scholars with disabilities based on assessed needs
Transition support
Participation in the Climate Leadership Programme
Participation in the Climate Enterprise School

The Climate Leadership Programme is an important part of the scholarship. It is designed to help scholars develop knowledge, skills and networks related to climate action and sustainable development. Scholars also take part in the Climate Enterprise School, which provides training related to sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation.

Also Check: Martingale Scholarship 2027 in UK

Available Master’s Programmes

The on-campus Mastercard Foundation scholarship is available only for selected programmes. The university states that the list can change, so applicants should check the official scholarship website before applying.

For 2027/28, the listed on-campus programmes include:

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

Students cannot use this scholarship for every Master’s programme at the University of Edinburgh. The university specifically states that no other academic programmes are eligible under this scholarship.

Who Can Apply?

Nationality: Must be a citizen and resident of an African country, or hold refugee status in an African country.
Education: Must have completed an undergraduate degree and provide the degree certificate and official final transcript by 19 November 2026.
Academic requirement: Generally, applicants need the equivalent of a UK Second Class Upper (2:1) Bachelor’s degree or higher for their selected programme.
Age: Must be 35 or under when the programme starts. For 2027/28, applicants must be born on or after 1 January 1992.
Leadership: Must demonstrate leadership and service within their community.
Barriers to education: Must have faced significant social, financial, personal, practical or health-related barriers to education or early career opportunities.
Climate action: Must demonstrate experience or ambition to make a meaningful contribution to addressing the climate crisis.
Previous postgraduate study: Master’s applicants must not have previously completed a postgraduate degree.
Other university enrolment: Applicants cannot be enrolled, or applying to enrol, at another university while receiving the Mastercard Foundation scholarship.

Other important requirements include:

Applicants must have experienced significant barriers to education or early career opportunities.
Applicants must demonstrate leadership and service within their community.
Applicants must show experience or ambition to contribute to addressing the climate crisis.
Applicants must be 35 or under when the programme starts.
For 2027/28, applicants must have been born on or after 1 January 1992.
Master’s applicants must not have previously completed a postgraduate degree.

The programme particularly encourages applications from women, refugees and displaced people, and people with disabilities.

How to Apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Scholarship

Apply for the degree after receiving the scholarship: If successful, you will then apply for your chosen University of Edinburgh Master’s programme through the standard admissions process.
Check your eligibility: Make sure you meet the academic, nationality, age and other scholarship requirements.
Choose an eligible Master’s programme: Select one of the postgraduate programmes covered by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Attend a mandatory information session: Register for and attend one of the online sessions held from 15 to 24 September 2026. Attendance is required before you can apply.
Receive an invitation to apply: Eligible attendees will be notified from 13 October 2026 through SurveyMonkey Apply.
Complete the Applicant Declaration Form: Submit it by 19 October 2026, 5pm UK time.
Complete the main scholarship application: If you pass the first stage, submit the main application by 19 November 2026, 5pm UK time.
Wait for the selection process: Shortlisted on-campus applicants will be invited to interviews from February 2027.