Deadline
2025-08-31
Value of Scholarship
Full Scholarship, Living Stipends, Accommodation & Travel Costs
Renewable
No
Apply Now: Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for 2026
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) invites applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for full-time undergraduate and master’s degree studies starting in 2026. This opportunity is open to academically talented candidates from across the African continent who face social and economic barriers to higher education.
About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC
This prestigious, fully-funded scholarship aims to nurture a new generation of transformative leaders by providing access to quality education and leadership development opportunities. The program specifically targets young women, refugees and forcibly displaced youth, and youth living with disabilities.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition fees
- On-campus accommodation
- Travel costs
- Laptop and study materials
- Monthly stipend
- Academic mentoring, tutoring, and career support
- Leadership training, internships, and community service opportunities
- Membership in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network
Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate Applicants
Applicants must:
- Be 26 years old or younger by the time of application
- Meet UWC’s minimum admission requirements for the program of choice (see www.uwc.ac.za)
- Have applied for academic admission for 2025
- Intend to register for full-time undergraduate study in January 2026
- Demonstrate financial need and social disadvantage
Master’s Applicants
Applicants must:
- Be 30 years old or younger by the time of application
- Meet UWC’s minimum admission requirements (see www.uwc.ac.za)
- Have applied for academic admission for 2025
- Intend to register for their first full-time master's degree in January 2026
- Demonstrate financial need and social disadvantage
Note: Candidates applying for a second master’s degree are not eligible.
Fields of Study
Undergraduate Programs
- Arts & Humanities: History, Linguistics, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies
- Economic & Management Sciences: Economics, Information Systems, Public Administration
- Education: Foundation Phase, Mathematics and Science
- Natural Sciences: Biological, Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences
Master’s Programs
- Arts & Humanities: Applied Linguistics, History, Gender Justice, Migration Studies, Sociology for Development
- Community & Health Sciences: Public Health
- Economic & Management Sciences: Development Studies, Information Systems, Migration Studies
- Law: Governance and Human Rights
- Natural Sciences: Biological, Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences
How to Apply
- Apply for academic admission to UWC for 2025.
- (Visit the UWC Admissions Page: uwc.ac.za)
- Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (preferred method: online):
- Click here to apply for Undergraduate Scholarship
- Click here to apply for Master’s Scholarship
- If you are unable to apply online, download the application form and email it with all required documents as a single email to: mcfsp-applications@uwc.ac.za
Important: Do not submit duplicate applications via both methods. Only one submission will be accepted.
Scholarships are not only for the smart students. Anyone can get scholarships
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