Before anything else, here is the most important thing to know. The 2027/28 process has changed, and it is not open to everyone right now. Every September 2026 information session is full and registration is closed. Only people who attended a session and meet the eligibility rules will get an invitation to apply. If that is not you, keep reading anyway. The details below will help you prepare for the next round.
What This Scholarship Is
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative that helps talented young people, mainly from Africa, pursue higher education. The Foundation says it has enabled over 45,000 scholarships since it began. The University of Edinburgh runs its own strand for postgraduate study with a strong focus on climate and sustainability.
You do not have to be Nigerian to apply. You do need to be a citizen, resident, or refugee of an African country. If you live elsewhere, this specific scholarship is not for you, but the wider Mastercard Foundation network has partner universities across North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Who Can Apply
Edinburgh sets out clear rules, and it does not make exceptions. You will generally need to meet all of the following:
- You are a citizen, resident, or refugee in an African country.
- You hold a qualifying undergraduate degree, the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Honours degree (2:1) or higher.
- You will have graduated and be able to upload your degree certificate and official transcript by 19 November 2026.
- You were born on or after 1 January 1992, which means you are 35 or younger when the programme starts.
- You have faced real barriers to education or your early career, whether social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related.
- You have a track record of leadership and service in your community.
- You have experience, or at least a clear ambition, in tackling the climate crisis.
If you want a Masters, you should not already hold a postgraduate degree. Postgraduate Diploma applicants can hold an undergraduate degree from anywhere, or a Masters from an African university.
Check the full criteria on the official eligibility page before you plan anything.
Building a leadership profile for applications like this? You may also want to check the European Youth Assembly (EYA) 2027 in Amsterdam, which offers 100% funded and free seats for young leaders.
Choose Your Study Route
You can apply for one route only, either on-campus or online. You cannot apply for both.
The on-campus route is a one-year, full-time Masters in Edinburgh. Available programmes include Climate Change Finance and Investment, Data, Inequality and Society, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Food Security, Environment and Development, Environmental Sustainability, Operational Research (the general MSc only), and Sustainable Energy Systems. You can see every option on the on-campus programmes page.
The online route lets you keep working while you study through flexible online learning. You can take a part-time Masters over up to three years, or a Postgraduate Diploma over up to two years. Options include International Development, Global Food Security and Nutrition, Climate Change Management, One Health, Social Justice and Community Action, Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health, Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics, Digital Education, and Data Science Technologies. Find the full list on the online programmes page. Programmes change from time to time, so check the official site before you commit.
What the Scholarship Covers
The support is generous, but the two routes differ.
| Benefit | On-campus | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Full approved tuition | Full approved tuition |
| Accommodation | Provided | Not listed |
| Travel | Provided | Not listed |
| Living support | Living cost stipend | Academic stipend for a laptop and internet |
| Study materials | Included | Not listed |
| Climate Leadership Programme | Yes | Yes |
| Climate Enterprise School | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Online Coordinator | No | Yes |
| Transitions and disability support | Yes | Yes |
The programme does not publish one headline cash figure, so you will not see a simple “$X per year” amount. To understand the scale of support, check current tuition and living costs on the degree finder, then compare them with what you would pay on your own.
Key Dates You Need
Deadlines matter more than anything else here, so mark these in your calendar.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Virtual information sessions | 15 to 24 September 2026 (closed) |
| Invitations to apply sent | 13 October 2026 |
| Applicant Declaration deadline | 19 October 2026, 5pm UK time |
| Main application deadline | 19 November 2026, 5pm UK time |
| Shortlist interview invitations | Early February 2027 (on-campus), mid-February 2027 (online) |
| Outcome notification | By the end of March 2027 |
Edinburgh may close the Applicant Declaration early once it reaches its application limit. Do not wait for the last day. You can confirm the full schedule on the application timelines page.
How the Application Works
The process has two main stages, and you should not apply for your degree yet. The how to apply page lays out each step.
🔗 Official Application Link: Start your application on the official University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page
- Get your invitation. Eligible attendees receive an invitation through SurveyMonkey Apply on 13 October. Check your junk folder regularly, and mark these emails as safe senders.
- Complete the Applicant Declaration. This short form confirms your eligibility. Finish it early.
- Submit the Main Application. You will answer short essay questions about your personal story, your academic and leadership experience, and your future ambition. Remember to mark each section complete and press Submit.
- Prepare for shortlisting. Shortlisted candidates get a video interview of about 60 minutes, usually on MS Teams. Referees are contacted only after shortlisting, around February or March 2027.
Only apply for the scholarship at this stage. If you win an offer in March 2027, the Program team will help you apply for your degree.
What Reviewers Look For
Edinburgh judges applications on five main points:
- Academic merit that meets University admission standards
- A real track record of transformative leadership and service
- Strong answers that connect to the programme’s climate justice theme
- Potential to make an impact in your home country
- Evidence of significant barriers you have overcome
Tailor every application to Edinburgh using a clear, well-written statement of purpose. Copying a generic essay from another university rarely works. Choose referees who know your work well, such as a teacher, lecturer, supervisor, or mentor. Edinburgh does not accept references from friends or family.
Need help lining up strong referees? You may also want to check this guide on how to ask for a scholarship recommendation letter.
Why Climate Matters Here
This is not just a scholarship with a climate label. The science behind it is serious. The FAO reported that almost 30% of the world’s population faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022. The World Health Organization also expects climate change to cause roughly 250,000 extra deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress. If you want to work on problems like these, Edinburgh’s programmes give you the tools.
Mistakes to Avoid
Many strong applicants lose their place for avoidable reasons. Do not miss the Declaration deadline by waiting for a reminder. Do not ignore emails that land in spam. Do not assume a family member can join you in the UK, because the programme cannot support dependants. Finally, if your first degree is in a different field, explain clearly why your new programme fits your goals.
Official Links and Contacts
- Eligibility criteria: edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk eligibility page
- How to apply: edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk how to apply page
- Application timelines: edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk application timelines page
- Frequently asked questions: edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk FAQ page
- On-campus programmes: edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk on-campus page
- Online programmes: edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk online page
- Degree finder: study.ed.ac.uk/programmes
- Questions: mcfsp@ed.ac.uk
The information session registration link is closed, so it is not included here.
Considering other fully funded UK postgraduate routes too? You may also want to check the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28, another fully funded route for international students at a leading UK university.
Widening your options across UK universities? You may also want to check the Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028, a fully funded UK government scholarship open to applicants worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still attend an information session for 2027/28?
No, not for this cycle. All September 2026 sessions for both on-campus and online applicants are fully booked and registration is closed. Attendance is mandatory, so if you missed them, you cannot receive an invitation to apply. Keep watching the programme website for announcements about future cycles.
Do I need to pay the degree application fee?
No, if this scholarship is your only application. Edinburgh waives the degree application fee only when you receive a scholarship offer, so do not ask Fees or Admissions for early waivers. If you also apply to other Edinburgh scholarships that require a separate degree application, you may pay that fee.
Curious about other well-funded options at top UK institutions? You may also want to check the Imperial College London Scholarships 2027, worth up to $15,000 a year for international students.
Can I apply to both the online and on-campus routes?
No. You can apply for either the online route (Masters or Postgraduate Diploma) or the on-campus Masters, but not both. The programme wants candidates who are fully committed to one study route, so choose carefully before you register for a session.
Can my family come with me?
No. The scholarship covers only the individual, and the programme cannot provide financial or practical support for family members or dependents. Scholars may bring relatives at their own cost, but UK visas for dependants are usually difficult to obtain without proof of significant funds.
When will I hear back about my application?
Shortlisted on-campus applicants get interview invitations from early February 2027, and online applicants from mid-February 2027. Interviews usually last about 60 minutes by video. The Program aims to share final outcomes by the end of March 2027, when successful candidates receive a conditional offer.
Prepping for the shortlisting interview? You may also want to check this guide on how to prepare for a scholarship interview.
Do I need an English test?
No, English test results are not required for the scholarship itself. However, depending on your undergraduate country, Edinburgh may require an English test during admissions. If so, the Program will help successful candidates sit one. Check the degree finder for your country’s entry requirements before you apply.