Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers scholarships for the 2027/2028 academic year to students from Africa with proven academic and leadership potential who have access to few educational opportunities. Nigerians fall within the stated Africa-wide scope, but the supplied information does not establish all individual eligibility conditions. Applications are scheduled to open on 20 October 2026 at 10.00am BST, as stated on the programme page.

Opportunity Summary

About the Opportunity

The programme provides both on-campus and online postgraduate scholarship routes. These are distinct options: the on-campus offer is for master’s study, while the online offer includes master’s degrees and diplomas. The supplied information does not list eligible courses, study duration, award amounts or covered expenses, so the scholarships cannot be described as fully funded on this evidence. The application process has an initial declaration and eligibility assessment before the Main application. The later November deadline is therefore not a deadline for starting a new application.

Funding and Benefits

• Scholarships for postgraduate on-campus master’s degrees.
• Scholarships for online master’s degrees and diplomas.
• Award amounts and covered expenses are not specified in the supplied information.

Who Can Apply?

• The programme is intended for students from Africa.
• Applicants must demonstrate academic and leadership potential and have access to few educational opportunities.
• Progression to the Main application requires successful completion of the Applicant Declaration and Postgraduate Eligibility Assessment.
• The page refers to attendance at mandatory information sessions, but does not give session dates or explain whether applicants who missed them can still apply.

What Nigerian Applicants Should Know

• Nigerian applicants are within the stated Africa-wide scope. Detailed citizenship and residence conditions are not supplied, so this is not confirmation that every applicant currently in Nigeria qualifies.
• Online scholarships are offered, but the supplied information does not confirm whether recipients may study while remaining in Nigeria.
• Visa support, relocation support and any work-permission conditions are not stated.

How to Apply

1. Applications are scheduled to open on 20 October 2026 at 10.00am BST, according to the programme page.
2. Complete the Applicant Declaration and Postgraduate Eligibility Assessment at the initial stage.
3. Clarify the initial-stage cut-off: the page gives both 13 November 2026 at 5pm GMT and 13 November 2026 at 10.00am BST. It also says the system will not permit new applications after 13 November at 5pm.
4. If you successfully complete both initial-stage components, submit the Main application by 19 November 2026 at 5pm GMT.

Visit the official application page

Application Tips

Preparation advice, not an additional provider requirement: prepare clear examples of your academic achievements, leadership experience and limited access to educational opportunities. Check the detailed criteria and available study routes before deciding which option to pursue. Seek clarification about the conflicting initial-stage deadline times and the mandatory information sessions. Do not assume that submitting a new application on 19 November will be possible, or that scholarship support covers every cost associated with study.

Information checked 8 November 2026.