UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 for African Students – South Africa

The UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 is open to African citizens who want to study a taught postgraduate programme at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Postgraduate applications for the 2027 intake close on 31 October 2026, according to the university's official scholarship page, so applicants have less than two weeks left.

The award is part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which UCT runs with the Mastercard Foundation. It is aimed at talented young Africans who face real financial and social barriers to higher education and who want to give back to their communities.

UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 at a glance

• Host: University of Cape Town, South Africa
• Who can apply: citizens of any African country, including South Africa
• Levels open now: postgraduate diplomas (Health Sciences), honours degrees and coursework master's degrees
• Postgraduate deadline: 31 October 2026
• Undergraduate round: the 30 September 2026 deadline has passed and UCT lists undergraduate applications as closed
• Official page:uct.ac.za/mastercardfdn

Who is eligible

UCT says applicants must:

1. be a citizen of an African country, including South Africa;
2. apply for a first bachelor's degree or an eligible taught postgraduate programme at UCT;
3. show academic talent and a commitment to excellence;
4. face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education;
5. show potential for transformative and ethical leadership; and
6. be committed to serving their community and contributing to positive change.

Young women, persons with disabilities, refugees and forcibly displaced young people are encouraged to apply.

Programmes that qualify

For the postgraduate round, eligible study options are:

• a postgraduate diploma offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences;
• an honours degree in any of UCT's six faculties;
• a coursework master's programme in any of the six faculties; and
• integrated master's admissions through the African Climate & Development Initiative (ACDI) and Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA), via the Africa Health Collaborative.

The six faculties are Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science.

Who is not eligible

Part-time study is excluded, and so are research-only qualifications such as a master's by dissertation or a PhD. If your programme is fully research-based, this call is not for you.

What the scholarship offers

UCT describes the programme as providing "scholarships and comprehensive support." The university's page lists:

• scholarship financial support;
• mentoring and leadership development;
• academic and life skills support;
• career development and entrepreneurship training; and
• community engagement opportunities.

The application page does not give a breakdown of costs covered, such as tuition, accommodation, flights or a monthly stipend, so we have not listed amounts here. Check the programme's FAQ or contact the scholarship office before relying on any specific figure.

How to apply

There are two separate applications, and you need both:

1. Choose a programme. Review UCT's study options on its applicants' website and confirm the programme is a taught postgraduate qualification.
2. Apply to UCT. Submit your academic application through the UCT online application portal.
3. Apply for the scholarship. Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form on the UCT scholarship site.
4. Submit before 31 October 2026. Do not wait for the final day. Portals often slow down near deadlines.

UCT's page does not list required documents. Follow the instructions on the scholarship form and the UCT portal for what to upload.

Tips for a stronger application

• Show the barrier and the drive. The programme looks for people facing financial and social obstacles. Explain your circumstances honestly and briefly, then focus on what you have achieved despite them.
• Make community service concrete. Name projects you have led or joined, who benefited and what changed.
• Link your course to a plan. Say what you will do with the degree and how it connects to your community or country.
• Check your programme early. Some honours and master's programmes have their own admission requirements and dates.

If you are weighing several options, see our guide to finding and applying for fully funded scholarships for a checklist you can use across applications.

Questions about the programme can go through the UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program contact page.