University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027/28 Applications: October 19 Declaration Deadline, Eligibility and Full Timeline
The University of Edinburgh has announced the 2027/28 application process for its Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program postgraduate scholarships, with an important Applicant Declaration deadline of October 19, 2026.
However, prospective applicants should note that October 19 is not the deadline for the full scholarship application. The University is using a multi-stage application process for the 2027/28 cycle. Eligible candidates first had to attend a mandatory virtual information session held between September 15 and September 24, 2026. Eligible attendees will then receive invitations to apply from October 13. Invited applicants must complete the Applicant Declaration Form by 5pm UK time on October 19, 2026. Candidates who successfully clear that stage can submit the main scholarship application by 5pm UK time on November 19, 2026.
The University also warns that the Applicant Declaration Form can close earlier than October 19 if the application limit is reached. Invited candidates should therefore complete it as soon as possible rather than waiting until the deadline.
The scholarship is available for selected on-campus postgraduate taught master's programmes and online postgraduate programmes. It is aimed at eligible young people from Africa who have demonstrated academic potential, leadership, community service and a commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
Official scholarship website:
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation
Official application guidance:
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship/how-to-apply
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027/28: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Edinburgh |
| Scholarship | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| Academic Year | 2027/28 |
| Study Level | Postgraduate |
| Study Options | Selected on-campus master's and online postgraduate programmes |
| Mandatory Information Sessions | September 15-24, 2026 |
| Invitations to Eligible Applicants | From October 13, 2026 |
| Applicant Declaration Deadline | October 19, 2026 at 5pm UK time |
| Main Scholarship Application Deadline | November 19, 2026 at 5pm UK time |
| Age Requirement | 35 or younger in the year the programme begins |
| Eligible Citizenship/Residence | Citizen and resident of, or refugee in, an African country |
| Programme Start | September 2027 |
October 19 Is Not the Final Scholarship Deadline
Candidates searching for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship deadline should understand the two separate October and November deadlines.
| Deadline | What It Is For |
|---|---|
| October 19, 2026, 5pm UK time | Applicant Declaration Form |
| November 19, 2026, 5pm UK time | Postgraduate Assessment and Scholarship Main Application |
The Applicant Declaration is an eligibility-confirmation stage. Only candidates who successfully complete the earlier screening stages proceed to the main scholarship application.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Timeline 2027/28
| Date | Application Stage |
|---|---|
| September 15-24, 2026 | Mandatory virtual information sessions |
| October 13, 2026 | Eligible information-session attendees begin receiving invitations to apply |
| October 19, 2026, 5pm UK time | Applicant Declaration Form closes |
| November 19, 2026, 5pm UK time | Postgraduate Assessment and Scholarship Main Application closes |
| End of November 2026-January 2027 | University committees assess applications |
| Early February 2027 | Applicants receive admission-related scholarship process decisions |
| Early February 2027 | On-campus applicants invited to interview |
| Mid-February 2027 | Online applicants invited to interview |
| Mid-February-March 2027 | On-campus interviews |
| End of February-Mid-March 2027 | Online interviews |
| End of March 2027 | Interview outcomes expected |
| April-August 2027 | Admission and immigration support for successful on-campus applicants |
| April-August 2027 | Admission support for successful online applicants |
| September 2027 | Academic programmes begin |
Who Can Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at Edinburgh?
The scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. It is not a general international scholarship open to applicants from every country.
Applicants must satisfy the University's academic requirements for an eligible programme and the additional Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program conditions.
Core requirements include:
- Academic eligibility for admission to an eligible University of Edinburgh programme
- Completion of undergraduate study
- Availability of the final degree certificate and official transcript by November 19, 2026
- Citizenship and residence in an African country, or refugee status in an African country
- Evidence of significant barriers to education and early-career opportunities
- A demonstrated record of leadership and community service
- Experience or ambition to contribute meaningfully to addressing the climate crisis
- Meeting the scholarship's age requirement
- Meeting programme-specific rules regarding previous postgraduate study
Academic Requirement
Applicants must be academically qualified for the eligible degree they want to pursue at the University of Edinburgh.
The University states that applicants will generally need academic achievement equivalent to a UK upper second-class honours bachelor's degree, commonly known as a 2:1, or higher.
Individual programmes can have additional academic, subject-specific or English-language requirements. Candidates should therefore check the entry requirements of the specific degree rather than relying only on the general scholarship standard.
Can Current Undergraduate Students Apply?
Applicants must have completed their undergraduate study and must be able to upload their degree certificate and official final transcript by November 19, 2026.
A candidate who cannot provide the required final academic documents by that deadline should not assume that provisional graduation status will be sufficient.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
Applicants must be residents and citizens of an African country, or hold refugee status in an African country.
This includes applicants from eligible countries across the African continent, including North Africa, provided the full citizenship, residence or refugee-status requirements are satisfied.
Can Indian Students Apply?
The University of Edinburgh's 2027/28 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is not a general scholarship for Indian citizens or other international students outside the specified African eligibility framework.
An applicant must satisfy the scholarship's requirement of being a citizen and resident of, or holding refugee status in, an African country.
Indian students interested in studying at Edinburgh should instead check the University's wider international scholarship and funding opportunities for which their nationality and programme are eligible.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Age Limit
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger in the year the programme begins.
For the 2027/28 academic year, the University states that applicants must have been born on or after January 1, 1992.
Anyone born in 1991 or earlier does not meet the stated age criterion for this application cycle.
Leadership and Community Service Requirement
The scholarship is designed for more than applicants with strong academic grades.
Candidates must demonstrate a track record of:
- Leadership
- Service to their community
- Positive social contribution
- Potential for transformative impact
Applicants should therefore be prepared to explain what they have actually done, whom their work has benefited and what outcomes resulted from their involvement.
Climate Leadership Requirement
Climate action is central to the current phase of the University of Edinburgh's partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Applicants must demonstrate experience or at least a clear ambition to make a meaningful contribution toward addressing the climate crisis.
This does not necessarily mean that every applicant must already be a climate scientist. Climate-related impact can intersect with areas such as:
- Food security
- Public health
- Education
- Technology
- Agriculture
- Biodiversity
- Social justice
- Sustainable development
- Community resilience
- Data and innovation
What Does the On-Campus Scholarship Cover?
The on-campus Mastercard Foundation scholarship provides comprehensive support to enable scholars to complete their postgraduate degree in Edinburgh.
Officially listed support includes:
- Full approved tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Travel
- Living-cost stipend
- Study materials
- Participation in the Climate Leadership Programme
Is the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Fully Funded?
For the eligible on-campus route, the scholarship provides comprehensive support including full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, a living-cost stipend and study materials.
Applicants should still follow the final scholarship offer and award conditions for the exact support applicable to them.
What Does the Online Scholarship Cover?
The online scholarship has a different support structure because scholars continue their studies remotely.
The University states that online scholars receive:
- Full approved tuition fees
- An academic stipend to support access to a laptop and high-quality internet
- An opportunity to attend an in-person gathering
- Participation in the wider Climate Leadership Programme
- Regular online workshops
- Online coaching and support
Does the Online Scholarship Pay Full Tuition?
Yes. The University states that online scholarship recipients will not pay any part of their approved tuition fees.
The online award also includes academic support intended to help scholars access appropriate technology and internet connectivity.
On-Campus vs Online Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
| On-Campus Scholarship | Online Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Study in Edinburgh | Study remotely |
| One-year full-time postgraduate taught master's | Online master's can be studied part-time for up to three years |
| Full approved tuition | Full approved tuition |
| Accommodation support | Academic stipend for laptop/internet access |
| Travel support | Opportunity to attend an in-person gathering |
| Living-cost stipend | Designed to support remote study while remaining in the learner's local context |
| Climate Leadership Programme | Climate Leadership Programme |
Online Master's and Postgraduate Diploma Options
The online scholarship route includes both master's and postgraduate diploma options for specified programmes.
An online master's can normally be studied part-time for up to three years, while an online postgraduate diploma can normally be completed part-time over up to two years.
Eligible Online Programmes
The University's current 2027/28 scholarship information lists online opportunities including:
- Climate Change Management – Master's route
- International Development – Master's route
- Global Food Security and Nutrition – Master's or Postgraduate Diploma
- One Health – Master's or Postgraduate Diploma
- Social Justice and Community Action – Master's or Postgraduate Diploma
- Global Health and Infectious Diseases – Master's or Postgraduate Diploma
- Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health – Master's or Postgraduate Diploma
- Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics – Master's or Postgraduate Diploma
- Digital Education – Master's or Postgraduate Diploma
- Data Science Technologies – Master's route
Can Applicants With a Previous Master's Degree Apply?
The answer depends on the scholarship route.
For a Master's programme, applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree. They also should not be enrolled, or applying to enroll, at another university while participating in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.
The online Postgraduate Diploma route has different provisions.
Can Someone With a Master's Apply for an Online Postgraduate Diploma?
Yes, potentially.
Applicants for an eligible online postgraduate diploma can hold either an undergraduate or master's degree from an African university, provided they satisfy the University's other requirements and can provide the necessary degree documents by the application deadline.
The University will review the applicant's first degree for the postgraduate diploma entry requirement and can also review master's transcripts to confirm graduation information.
Mandatory Information Session Requirement
The 2027/28 application cycle introduced an important pre-application stage: prospective applicants were required to attend a mandatory virtual information session between September 15 and September 24, 2026.
The sessions were designed to explain:
- Eligibility requirements
- Application process
- Scholarship routes
- Key deadlines
- Applicant responsibilities
Does Attending the Information Session Guarantee an Application Invitation?
No.
Attendance was mandatory, but attending the session alone does not guarantee that a candidate will receive access to the scholarship application.
The University conducts preliminary eligibility screening. Eligible attendees are invited to continue to the next stage.
What Happens on October 13?
From October 13, 2026, eligible candidates who attended the required information session are notified whether they are invited to apply.
Successful candidates receive their invitation through SurveyMonkey Apply.
Candidates who do not meet the eligibility requirements are notified that they cannot proceed.
Stage 1: Applicant Declaration Form
The Applicant Declaration Form is the first formal scholarship application stage for invited candidates.
It collects additional information that allows the scholarship team to confirm eligibility before a candidate receives access to the main application.
The deadline is:
October 19, 2026 at 5pm UK time.
Why Applicants Should Not Wait Until October 19
The University explicitly states that it reserves the right to close the Applicant Declaration Form before the October 19 deadline once the application limit has been reached.
An invited candidate should therefore complete this stage promptly.
What Happens If You Fail the Applicant Declaration Stage?
Applicants who are unsuccessful at the declaration stage will be notified and will not proceed to the Scholarship Main Application.
This makes the October declaration an actual screening stage rather than a simple administrative formality.
Stage 2: Scholarship Main Application
Candidates who successfully complete the Applicant Declaration stage are invited to complete the full Scholarship Main Application.
The deadline is:
November 19, 2026 at 5pm UK time.
Applicants should make sure their academic and supporting information is complete well before the deadline.
Should Applicants Apply for Their Edinburgh Degree at the Same Time?
This is one of the most important aspects of the 2027/28 application process.
The University states that applicants should apply only for the scholarship at this stage and should not yet submit an application for their selected University of Edinburgh degree solely for this scholarship process.
If a candidate receives a scholarship offer in March 2027, the candidate will then be invited to apply to the chosen degree through the University's standard admission process.
What If Another Scholarship Requires a University Application?
The University makes an exception for candidates who are simultaneously applying for other scholarships that require an active University application.
Such candidates may apply to the University in parallel where needed for those other funding opportunities.
University Admission vs Scholarship Application
| Scholarship Application | Degree Application |
|---|---|
| Begins through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program process | Standard University of Edinburgh academic application |
| Eligible applicants follow pre-screening and scholarship stages | Scholarship recipients are later invited to apply for the degree |
| Main scholarship deadline is November 19, 2026 | Timing follows the scholarship outcome and University's instructions for successful scholars |
How Are Applicants Selected?
The selection process considers more than grades alone.
Important factors include:
- Academic ability sufficient for University admission
- Leadership experience
- Community service
- Educational and early-career barriers
- Alignment with climate-justice goals
- Potential impact in the applicant's home country and community
- Quality and authenticity of the application
What Counts as a Barrier to Education?
The University recognizes that barriers can take different forms.
The eligibility criteria refer to significant barriers that may be:
- Social
- Financial
- Personal
- Practical
- Health-related
Applicants should explain their circumstances accurately rather than trying to create a story they believe scholarship assessors want to hear.
How to Demonstrate Leadership in the Application
Leadership does not necessarily require holding a formal job title.
Evidence can potentially come from:
- Community initiatives
- Student organizations
- Social enterprises
- Volunteer work
- Professional projects
- Environmental initiatives
- Education programmes
- Advocacy
- Research
- Local problem-solving
Strong examples explain the applicant's role, actions and measurable or observable impact.
How to Prepare for the Scholarship Application
- Confirm that you meet every eligibility requirement.
- Check that your intended programme is covered.
- Review the academic entry requirements.
- Prepare your degree certificate.
- Prepare your official final transcript.
- Document leadership and community-service experience.
- Identify concrete examples of educational barriers you have overcome.
- Explain your climate-related interests and intended impact.
- Connect your chosen programme with your future plans.
- Complete every stage before its deadline.
What Happens After the November 19 Deadline?
University committees assess submitted applications from the end of November through January.
The current timeline then moves into notification and interview stages beginning in February 2027.
When Will Applicants Receive Results?
Applicants are expected to receive an initial outcome in early February 2027.
Applicants invited to continue will then move into interviews.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Interview
Interview timing differs between on-campus and online applicants.
| Applicant Type | Interview Timeline |
|---|---|
| On-Campus | Invitations expected in early February; interviews from mid-February to March 2027 |
| Online | Invitations expected in mid-February; interviews from late February to mid-March 2027 |
When Will Final Interview Outcomes Be Released?
The current timeline indicates that interview outcomes for both on-campus and online applicants are expected by the end of March 2027.
When Will Successful Students Start Their Programmes?
The 2027/28 academic programmes are scheduled to begin in September 2027.
Between April and August, successful on-campus scholars receive support relating to admission and immigration processes. Online scholars receive support with their admission process.
Does the Scholarship Include Visa Support?
The University states that successful on-campus scholars receive support through the admission and immigration process between April and August 2027.
This should not be interpreted as bypassing UK immigration requirements. Students must still complete the required immigration process.
How Many Mastercard Foundation Scholarships Does Edinburgh Offer?
The University of Edinburgh and Mastercard Foundation have worked together since 2016.
Under the current phase of the partnership, running from 2023 to 2030, the University says it will offer 850 postgraduate scholarships to African students.
What Is the Climate Leadership Programme?
All Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Edinburgh participate in a Climate Leadership Programme.
The initiative is designed to complement academic study with leadership development and support scholars seeking to create positive change in their communities and countries.
Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Only About Climate Degrees?
The current programme places climate leadership and climate justice at the centre of the scholar experience, but eligible programmes span multiple disciplines.
The key consideration is how applicants connect their academic interests, leadership and future ambitions with meaningful impact, including challenges related to the climate crisis.
Do Applicants Pay an Application Fee to Mastercard Foundation?
Applicants should be cautious about anyone claiming to recruit Mastercard Foundation Scholars in exchange for payment.
The Mastercard Foundation warns that fraudulent groups have used social media to advertise supposed scholarship recruitment and request application fees.
The Foundation itself does not solicit payments from individuals for scholarship recruitment.
How to Avoid Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Scams
- Apply through the official partner institution process.
- Do not pay social-media accounts promising selection.
- Do not share banking passwords or OTPs.
- Do not trust guaranteed-scholarship claims.
- Check deadlines on the University's official website.
- Use the official application system specified by Edinburgh.
- Be cautious of unofficial agents claiming they can influence selection.
Can You Apply Directly to Mastercard Foundation?
The Scholars Program is implemented through partner institutions. Scholarship applications and selection decisions are managed by the participating universities and organizations.
For the University of Edinburgh award, candidates must follow Edinburgh's specified application process rather than sending a general funding request directly to the Foundation.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship FAQs
Are applications open for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027/28?
The 2027/28 process is underway. Eligible candidates who completed the mandatory information-session stage will receive invitations from October 13, 2026.
What is the October 19 deadline?
October 19, 2026 at 5pm UK time is the deadline for invited applicants to complete the Applicant Declaration Form.
Is October 19 the final scholarship deadline?
No. Candidates who successfully pass the declaration stage have until November 19, 2026 at 5pm UK time to submit the main scholarship application.
Can the October 19 form close early?
Yes. The University states that it may close the Applicant Declaration Form earlier once the application limit is reached.
When is the main application deadline?
The Scholarship Main Application deadline is November 19, 2026 at 5pm UK time.
Was an information session compulsory?
Yes. Prospective applicants were required to attend a virtual information session between September 15 and September 24, 2026.
Does attending the session guarantee an invitation?
No. Attendance is required, but applicants must also satisfy preliminary eligibility screening.
When are invitations sent?
Eligible attendees are notified from October 13, 2026.
Where is the application invitation sent?
Eligible applicants receive an invitation through SurveyMonkey Apply.
Who is eligible by nationality?
Applicants must be citizens and residents of, or hold refugee status in, an African country.
Can Indian students apply?
The scholarship's current eligibility requires the specified African citizenship/residence or refugee status, so it is not a general scholarship open to Indian citizens solely on the basis of international-student status.
What is the age limit?
Applicants must be 35 or younger in the year the programme starts.
What is the date-of-birth requirement for 2027/28?
Applicants must have been born on or after January 1, 1992.
Can someone born in 1991 apply?
No. The University states that applicants born in 1991 or earlier are not eligible for the 2027/28 cycle.
Is an undergraduate degree required?
Yes. Applicants must have completed undergraduate study.
When must the final degree certificate be available?
The degree certificate and official final transcript must be available for upload by November 19, 2026.
What grades are required?
Applicants generally need academic achievement equivalent to a UK upper second-class honours bachelor's degree or higher, while individual programmes can have additional requirements.
Can applicants with a previous master's degree apply for another master's?
The scholarship rules state that master's applicants should not previously have completed a postgraduate degree.
Can someone with a master's apply for an online postgraduate diploma?
Potentially yes. The online diploma route allows applicants with an undergraduate or master's degree from an African university, subject to the stated conditions.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
The on-campus award includes full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, a living-cost stipend and study materials.
Does the online scholarship cover tuition?
Yes. The online scholarship covers full approved tuition fees.
Does the online scholarship provide a laptop?
The University states that online scholars receive an academic stipend to support access to a laptop and high-quality internet.
Does the online scholarship include travel?
The online scholarship includes an opportunity to attend an in-person gathering, subject to programme arrangements.
Can I study online?
Yes. Eligible online master's and postgraduate diploma programmes are available.
How long is an online master's?
The online master's route can be studied part-time for up to three years.
How long is an online postgraduate diploma?
The diploma route can be studied part-time for up to two years.
Should I apply to the University degree now?
For this scholarship process, applicants are instructed to apply for the scholarship first. Successful scholarship candidates are subsequently invited to apply for their chosen degree.
Can I apply to Edinburgh if another scholarship requires admission first?
Yes. The University says applicants may submit a parallel degree application where another scholarship requires an active University application.
When will applicants receive the first outcome?
The current timeline indicates early February 2027.
Are interviews required?
Applicants who progress through the selection process can be invited to interview.
When will interviews take place?
On-campus interviews are scheduled from mid-February into March, while online interviews are expected from late February to mid-March 2027.
When will final outcomes be announced?
The current timeline places interview outcomes at the end of March 2027.
When does study begin?
The academic programme begins in September 2027.
Is leadership experience required?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate a record of leadership and service within their community.
Is climate experience required?
Applicants must demonstrate experience or at least a clear ambition to make a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis.
Are refugees eligible?
Applicants holding refugee status in an African country can be eligible if they satisfy the other scholarship requirements.
Are women encouraged to apply?
Yes. The programme encourages applications from women as well as people from refugee and displaced backgrounds and people with disabilities.
Can people with disabilities apply?
Yes. The programme explicitly encourages applications from people with disabilities who meet the eligibility requirements.
Do I apply directly to Mastercard Foundation?
No. Scholarship applications are administered by partner institutions. University of Edinburgh applicants must follow Edinburgh's official application process.
What is the official University of Edinburgh scholarship website?
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation
Application Checklist for 2027/28 Candidates
- Confirm African citizenship, residence or applicable refugee status.
- Confirm that you satisfy the age requirement.
- Check that you completed the mandatory information-session stage.
- Watch for an invitation from October 13.
- Complete the Applicant Declaration as soon as possible if invited.
- Do not wait until October 19 because the declaration form can close early.
- Confirm that your intended degree is eligible.
- Check programme-specific academic requirements.
- Prepare your final undergraduate degree certificate.
- Prepare your official final transcript.
- Make sure the required academic documents are available by November 19.
- Prepare concrete examples of leadership.
- Document community-service experience.
- Explain barriers you have faced accurately.
- Develop a clear explanation of your intended social impact.
- Connect your goals with climate action or climate justice.
- Complete the main application by November 19 at 5pm UK time if invited.
- Do not submit applications outside the official online application system.
- Do not pay unofficial agents promising scholarship selection.
- Monitor the official University of Edinburgh scholarship pages for timeline changes.
Official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh:
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation
Official 2027/28 application guidance:
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship/how-to-apply
Official application timeline:
https://edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship/application-timelines
