University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027/28: Mandatory Sessions Underway, Application Opens October 13
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28: Prospective postgraduate scholars should be aware of a major change to the University of Edinburgh's Mastercard Foundation scholarship application process.
Applicants can no longer simply wait for the scholarship application form to open. For the 2027/28 cycle, prospective applicants must first attend a mandatory virtual information session between September 15 and September 24, 2026.
The September 17 session is specifically an online-learning applicant session scheduled for 4 p.m. UK time. That session has reached capacity and is fully booked.
The university has also confirmed that all currently listed online-applicant information sessions are fully booked and registration for that route has closed. For on-campus applicants, an additional session was added for September 22 at 3 p.m. UK time for new registrants.
Eligible applicants who successfully complete the preliminary process will be notified on October 13 about whether they are invited to submit the scholarship application.
Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Mandatory virtual information sessions | September 15–24, 2026 |
| Online session referenced for September 17 | September 17, 2026 at 4 p.m. UK time — fully booked |
| New additional on-campus session | September 22, 2026 at 3 p.m. UK time |
| Eligible applicants invited to apply | October 13, 2026 |
| Applicant Declaration deadline | October 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time |
| Main scholarship application deadline | November 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time |
| Initial outcome period | Early to mid-February 2027 |
| Interview period | February–March 2027 |
| Final interview outcomes | By around the end of March 2027 |
| Academic programs begin | September 2027 |
What Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supports talented young people, particularly those facing significant barriers to accessing higher education, through partnerships with participating universities and institutions.
At the University of Edinburgh, the program supports eligible postgraduate scholars through specified on-campus and online study opportunities.
Major Application Change for 2027/28
The University of Edinburgh has introduced a new application process.
The process begins before the scholarship application itself opens.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Prospective scholars must first determine whether they satisfy the program's eligibility criteria.
Students should not register for a session solely because they want a fully funded scholarship without first checking whether they fit the intended applicant profile.
Step 2: Choose an Eligible Degree
Applicants need to explore the eligible postgraduate degree programs and decide whether they intend to pursue:
- On-campus study.
- Online postgraduate study.
Only specified programs participate in the scholarship route.
Step 3: Attend a Mandatory Information Session
Attendance at one of the applicable virtual information sessions between September 15 and September 24 is mandatory.
This is not an optional webinar.
What Happens If You Skip the Session?
If a prospective applicant registers but does not actually attend an information session, they will not be eligible to receive an invitation to apply under the current process.
Are Sessions Recorded?
No.
The university states that the sessions will not be recorded.
Applicants therefore need to attend live.
Does Attending Guarantee a Scholarship Application?
No.
This is another important distinction.
Attending the information session is mandatory, but attendance alone does not guarantee that a student will receive an invitation to apply.
Preliminary Eligibility Questionnaire
When registering for a session, prospective applicants complete a short questionnaire.
The responses are reviewed to assess preliminary eligibility.
What Happens on October 13?
Eligible information-session attendees will be notified on October 13, 2026 whether they have been invited to continue to the formal application process.
Invited applicants will receive access through the designated application system.
Stage 1: Applicant Declaration
The first formal stage for invited candidates is the Applicant Declaration Form.
The deadline is:
October 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time.
The university warns that the form can close earlier if the application limit is reached.
Why Applicants Should Not Wait Until October 19
Because the university reserves the right to close the Applicant Declaration once it reaches its limit, invited candidates should complete this stage promptly.
Stage 2: Main Application
Applicants progressing through the process must complete the Postgraduate Assessment and Scholarship Main Application.
The deadline is:
November 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time.
Application Timeline
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Eligibility check | Before session registration |
| Information session | September 15–24 |
| Invitation decision | October 13 |
| Applicant Declaration | By October 19 |
| Main application | By November 19 |
| Assessment | Late November–January |
| Initial decisions | Early February |
| Interviews | February–March |
| Final outcomes | March |
| Program start | September 2027 |
September 17 Information Session
The September 17 session is scheduled for online-study applicants at 4 p.m. UK time.
However, the university currently marks this session as fully booked.
Online Information Sessions
The published online-applicant sessions include:
- September 17 at 4 p.m. UK time — fully booked.
- September 22 at 11 a.m. UK time — fully booked.
- September 24 at 3 p.m. UK time — fully booked.
The university states that online-session registration has reached capacity and has been closed.
On-Campus Information Sessions
The published on-campus schedule includes:
- September 15 at 3 p.m. UK time — fully booked.
- September 21 at 11 a.m. UK time — fully booked.
- September 23 at 4 p.m. UK time — fully booked.
- Additional September 22 session at 3 p.m. UK time for new registrants.
Why Was an Extra Session Added?
The university reported strong interest in the on-campus information sessions and added another session on September 22.
Spaces can fill quickly.
Online vs On-Campus Scholarships
| On-Campus | Online |
|---|---|
| Student studies through an eligible Edinburgh-based program | Student completes an eligible online postgraduate program |
| Immigration and relocation considerations can apply | No equivalent campus relocation for online study |
| Separate eligible program list | Separate eligible online program list |
| Mandatory information session | Mandatory information session |
Who Should Consider the Scholarship?
Prospective applicants should review the official eligibility requirements carefully.
The Scholars Program is designed around more than academic marks alone and emphasizes leadership potential, barriers to education and commitment to creating positive change.
Academic Eligibility
Applicants need to satisfy both:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program eligibility.
- Academic admission requirements for their intended University of Edinburgh postgraduate program.
Scholarship Eligibility vs University Admission
These are connected but distinct assessments.
| Scholarship Assessment | Academic Admission |
|---|---|
| Assesses Scholars Program criteria | Assesses degree-program eligibility |
| Leadership and applicant circumstances can matter | Academic background is central |
| Competitive scholarship process | University/program admission process |
Does Scholarship Eligibility Guarantee University Admission?
No.
Applicants must meet the relevant academic requirements for their intended degree.
Does University Admission Guarantee the Scholarship?
No.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has a separate competitive selection process.
Why Program Choice Matters
Applicants should not choose a postgraduate degree solely because it appears on a scholarship list.
They should be able to explain:
- Why they chose the program.
- How it relates to their background.
- What problem they want to address.
- How they will use their education.
- How the degree connects with future impact.
Preparing for the Application
Prospective scholars should begin organizing:
- Academic records.
- Degree certificates.
- Personal information.
- Leadership examples.
- Community-impact experience.
- Career goals.
- Program choice.
- Supporting documentation required by the university.
Leadership Evidence
Leadership does not necessarily mean holding a formal job title.
Applicants can consider meaningful examples involving:
- Community initiatives.
- Student organizations.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Volunteer work.
- Professional responsibilities.
- Social-impact projects.
- Research.
What Happens After the Main Application?
University committees assess applications from late November through January.
Initial applicant notifications are expected around early February 2027.
Interview Stage
Selected candidates progress to interviews.
On-campus interviews are expected from mid-February through March, while online applicants follow the relevant interview timeline.
When Are Final Scholarship Results Expected?
Interview outcomes are expected around the end of March 2027 according to the current application timeline.
When Does Study Begin?
The academic programs associated with the 2027/28 scholarship cycle begin in September 2027.
Common Application Mistakes
- Missing the mandatory information session.
- Registering but failing to attend.
- Assuming sessions will be recorded.
- Assuming attendance guarantees an application invitation.
- Choosing an ineligible degree.
- Missing the October declaration deadline.
- Waiting until the last day despite the application limit.
- Submitting generic leadership claims.
- Ignoring academic admission requirements.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation FAQs
Is there a Mastercard Foundation session on September 17?
Yes. The September 17 online-applicant session is scheduled for 4 p.m. UK time, but it is currently listed as fully booked.
Are information sessions mandatory?
Yes. Attendance at an applicable session is mandatory to proceed toward the scholarship application.
Can I watch a recording later?
No. The university states that the sessions will not be recorded.
Does attending guarantee I can apply?
No. Applicants must also satisfy the eligibility requirements before receiving an invitation.
When do applications open?
Eligible attendees invited to continue will receive access from October 13, 2026.
When is the Applicant Declaration deadline?
October 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time, although the form may close earlier if the limit is reached.
When is the main scholarship deadline?
November 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. UK time.
Are online sessions still open?
The university currently states that the listed online sessions have reached capacity and registration for that route is closed.
Was another on-campus session added?
Yes. An additional session was added for September 22 at 3 p.m. UK time for new registrants.
When will scholarship outcomes be known?
The selection process continues through early 2027, with interview outcomes expected around March.
When does the academic program begin?
September 2027.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: Final Update
The September 17 Mastercard Foundation session is part of a much larger change to the University of Edinburgh's 2027/28 scholarship process. Attendance at a virtual information session is now mandatory before an eligible prospective scholar can receive access to the application.
The September 17 online session has already reached capacity. All currently listed online sessions are also marked fully booked, while an additional on-campus session has been added for September 22 because of strong demand.
Applicants who successfully attend a session and satisfy preliminary eligibility will learn on October 13 whether they are invited to apply. The Applicant Declaration then closes October 19, followed by the main application deadline on November 19.
Prospective scholars should therefore treat the September information-session stage as part of the actual selection pathway, not simply as an optional scholarship webinar.
