MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Pretoria

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is open to African students eager to study at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

For students who have applied to and been accepted into one of the programs at the University of Pretoria, the Mastercard Foundation provides a full scholarship.

For the duration of the postgraduate program, the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship will pay all the tuition and living expenses.

Overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is developing Africa’s next generation of leaders. The program enables students whose potential and talent outweigh their financial limitations to finish their education. The program is focused on creating transformative leaders and encouraging them to be active community members with the belief that education is a catalyst for social and economic change.

The Program supports Scholars academically, socially, and financially. Financial assistance may include but is not limited to, housing costs, books, and other educational supplies. Each institution has a different range of majors and degrees that qualify for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program helps young people from all over the continent who are economically disadvantaged and encourages them to use their education to improve their communities and nations.

Level/Field of Study

This scholarship is designed for graduates who intend to go for postgraduate studies. The scholarship is strictly for students who want to study in any of the following faculties;

• Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
• Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities for entry into the BPolSci (Political Studies or International Studies only)
• Honours and Masters’s degree applications will be accepted in the fields of Engineering (continuing students only).

Host Nationality

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is offered by the MasterCard Foundation at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Eligibility for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

• Be an African citizen.
• Come from economically disadvantaged families and have financial needs.
• Demonstrate leadership potential and be involved in a community, school, or church service project, for example.
• Academic excellence is essential, and you must always maintain a high academic average.

Application Process for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

You must first apply for admission to the University of Pretoria.

Applications to study at the University of Pretoria open on March 1st and close on August 30th of the year preceding the year of study.

If you are interested in studying at the University of Pretoria and applying for The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you must complete the application process outlined below.

Step 1

Visit www.up.ac.za/apply to apply online. As an alternative, you may send in a paper copy of your application. Call +27 (0)12 420 4297/6621 for more information, or send an email to mcfsp@up.ac.za for postgraduate and undergraduate inquiries.

Step 2

The faculty will review your application after it has been submitted. You’ll learn whether you’ve been accepted by the faculty.

Step 3

To start the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application process as soon as you have been admitted, please email mcfsp@up.ac.za.

Step 4

If your application is successful, then you need to get your passport (if you don’t have one) to apply for a visa.

Start your application by clicking the button below.

Scholarship Award

The Scholarship will begin in January and will cover the following topics:

• Tuition costs
• Accommodation
• Stipends for Airfare and Living Expenses
• Laptop + Other Study Expenses

Conclusion

High achieving African students interested in postgraduate study can apply for scholarships offered by the University of Pretoria in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation (MCF), starting in January 2024. Young people in Africa who are academically gifted but economically underprivileged are the focus of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP), which seeks to develop leaders who will contribute to the continent’s transformation by sharing their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values. Internships and volunteer work in the community are crucial parts of the program. Selected students who have been provisionally admitted to study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Pretoria are eligible for a full scholarship through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. After finishing their studies, graduates are required to give back to their communities in their home countries.

A $500 million, 10-year global initiative, the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program seeks to educate and foster the next generation of leaders who will aid in social and economic change. The Program helps young people from economically underprivileged communities finish high-quality secondary and university education and successfully transition to post-secondary studies or careers in their home countries. Scholars receive learning opportunities that give them the knowledge, skills, and values they need to succeed in the economy and have a positive impact on their communities through comprehensive support.