Looking for a fully funded master's opportunity?
We found three current programmes offering substantial financial and academic support for eligible students from Africa and other eligible countries.
These are not simply tuition discounts. Depending on the programme, support can include tuition, living expenses, travel, accommodation, visas and other study-related costs.
Location: United Kingdom
Level: Master's
Eligibility: Citizens of African countries
Application status: Open
Funding: Full scholarship
Deadline: Course-dependent, generally early December 2026 or January 2027
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge supports talented young Africans to pursue a master's degree while developing their leadership potential and contributing to sustainable futures in Africa.
The programme's themes are climate resilience and sustainability, but applicants can apply for most full-time master's courses at Cambridge.
Selected scholars receive:
Full course tuition
Monthly living allowance
Return flight
Laptop
A programme community and leadership-development opportunities
You generally need to:
Be a citizen of an African country
Be living in an African country, although temporary residence outside Africa for study or work may be permitted
Hold a bachelor's degree
Meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen Cambridge master's course
Apply for an eligible full-time master's course
Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to your community, country or Africa more broadly
Show commitment to the programme's themes of sustainability and climate resilience
The programme does not cover the MBA, Master of Corporate Law, Master of Finance or Master of Accountancy.
Academic requirements vary by course. Some Cambridge programmes require the equivalent of a UK first-class degree, while others require an upper-second-class qualification. Always check the requirements of your specific course before applying.
Women, refugees, internally displaced people and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Search the Cambridge postgraduate course directory and choose an eligible master's programme.
Check the course's academic requirements, supporting documents and funding deadline.
Start the normal Cambridge postgraduate application.
Apply for an application-fee waiver if required. Mastercard Foundation applicants who meet the academic requirements are eligible for the waiver.
During the application, opt into the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Complete the scholarship statement covering your education/career background, leadership potential, goals and contribution to sustainable futures in Africa.
Submit the complete application by your course's funding deadline.
The scholarship application is built into the Cambridge course application, so there is no separate preliminary scholarship application.
Course and funding deadlines vary. Cambridge states that the current cycle's funding deadlines are generally in early December or January.
Official information:
Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Check eligibility:
Cambridge eligibility requirements
How to apply:
Cambridge application guide
Location: South Africa
Level: Postgraduate diploma, honours or coursework master's
Eligibility: Citizens of African countries
Application status: Open
Funding: Comprehensive scholarship support
Scholarship deadline: 31 October 2026
The University of Cape Town's Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supports academically talented young Africans who face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education.
Beyond financial support, scholars join a programme focused on leadership, academic development, career preparation, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
Postgraduate opportunities are available across UCT's:
Commerce
Engineering & the Built Environment
Health Sciences
Humanities
Law
Science
Eligible postgraduate study includes selected postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees and coursework master's programmes.
The scholarship does not cover part-time studies or research-only qualifications such as a master's by dissertation or a PhD.
The programme provides comprehensive support for scholars throughout their studies, together with developmental opportunities including:
Mentoring
Leadership development
Academic and life-skills support
Career development
Entrepreneurship training
Community engagement
Access to a wider network of Mastercard Foundation Scholars
You should:
Be a citizen of an African country
Be applying for an eligible postgraduate programme at UCT
Demonstrate academic ability and commitment to excellence
Face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education
Demonstrate potential for transformative and ethical leadership
Be committed to serving your community and contributing to positive change
The programme particularly encourages applications from young women, people with disabilities, refugees, forcibly displaced young people and others whose access to education has been affected by significant social or economic barriers.
There are two connected applications:
1. Apply for academic admission to UCT
Choose an eligible postgraduate programme and submit your academic application through UCT's application system.
2. Apply separately for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
After submitting your academic application, complete the separate Mastercard Foundation scholarship application.
Applicants should check their chosen faculty for programme-specific academic requirements and deadlines.
For the 2027 intake, the Mastercard Foundation postgraduate scholarship application closes on:
31 October 2026
The academic admission process has its own requirements and deadlines, so do not wait until the scholarship deadline to check your chosen programme.
Official information:
UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Academic application information:
UCT academic application process
Location: United Kingdom
Level: Master's
Eligibility: Citizens of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries
Application status: Open
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST
The Commonwealth Master's Scholarships support candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries to undertake full-time taught master's study at a UK university.
The programme is designed around six development themes:
Science and technology for development
Improving health systems and population health
Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
Strengthening peace, security and governance
Strengthening resilience and responding to crises
Access, inclusion and opportunity
The award includes support such as:
Approved tuition fees
Airfare to and from the applicant's home country
Visa costs
Living allowance
Additional allowances may be available depending on individual circumstances and the specific award.
You generally need to:
Be a citizen of, or hold refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country
Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
Be available to begin your studies in September/October 2027
Hold by the start of the scholarship a first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper-second-class (2:1) qualification, or a lower-second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, normally a master's
Be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship
There is no general work-experience requirement for the scholarship.
Your proposed study should relate to one of the Commonwealth's development themes.
The scholarship does not fund MBA programmes or research master's programmes.
1. Choose your intended master's study
Identify suitable UK universities and master's programmes connected to the Commonwealth development themes.
2. Prepare your scholarship application
You will need information about your academic qualifications, proposed study, development impact and future plans.
3. Apply through CSC Central
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission accepts applications through its own online application system.
4. Check your nominating agency
This is important: applicants must also satisfy the requirements of the relevant nominating agency. Nominating agencies can have their own eligibility requirements and deadlines in addition to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's requirements.
5. Apply for university admission
You should also seek admission to your proposed UK university. University admission and the Commonwealth scholarship are separate processes.
20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST
Applications must be submitted through CSC Central.
Official information:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships — Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Application system:
CSC Central
Fully funded does not mean automatically eligible.
Before starting an application, check:
1. Academic requirements
Your degree and grades must meet the requirements of the specific programme or university.
2. Eligibility
Check citizenship, residence, financial circumstances and any other programme-specific conditions.
3. Course eligibility
Not every course at a university is necessarily covered by a particular scholarship.
4. Separate applications
Some scholarships are integrated into the university application, while others require a separate scholarship application.
5. Additional deadlines
A university, faculty or nominating agency may have a deadline earlier than the headline scholarship deadline.
6. Supporting documents
Prepare transcripts, degree certificates, references, personal statements and other required documents early.
Always verify the latest requirements on the official programme website before submitting your application.
