The Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh will
provide 3 year part-time online Master’s scholarships & 2-year part-time
postgraduate Diploma scholarships to students living or working in Africa with
great academic and leadership potential but few educational opportunities.
We are recruiting exceptional young people committed to
pursuing their studies digitally to apply for an Online Scholarship at the
University of Edinburgh. Online studies are an excellent way to earn a
qualification, while at the same time continuing to work flexibly and live at
home. Online qualifications though the University of Edinburgh are fully
equivalent to degrees taught on campus.
Applicants can apply for either:
- Online
Masters (part-time over 3 years) OR
- Online
Post-graduate Diploma (part-time over 2 years)
Online Masters
Masters programmes are normally aimed at those who have
completed an undergraduate degree and want to develop more specialised
knowledge in the same subject or similar career area. The MCF scholarship will
cover the full tuition fees, a small study stipend to allow for access to
high-quality internet, a laptop and the opportunity to attend an in-person
summer school in Africa. The scholarship is designed to cover three-years of
part-time online study. On top of financial support, Scholars will participate
in activities as part of the wider Scholars Program at the University of
Edinburgh, including regular online workshops, online coaching and support.
Applicants who already have a postgraduate qualification are not able to apply
for this scholarship.
Online Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate diplomas are aimed at those who are considering
a potential change in career and tend to be more vocational. Candidates with
either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from a Sub-Saharan African
university are equally able to apply (provided they will graduate from either
degree before December 2022). The scholarship will cover the full tuition fees,
a small study stipend to allow for access to high-quality internet, a laptop
and the opportunity to attend an in-person summer school in Africa. The
scholarship is designed to cover two-years of part-time online study. On
top of financial support, Scholars will participate in activities as part of
the wider Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh, including regular
online workshops, online coaching and support.
Subjects you can study
Scholarships are available for the following online
postgraduate programs only:
- International
Development (Masters route only)
- Global
Food Security and Nutrition (Masters or Diploma)
- Global
Challenges (Masters or Diploma)
- Carbon
Management (Masters route only)
- One
Health (Masters or Diploma)
Eligibility
You must meet the eligibility criteria to apply:
- Applicants
must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for
a relevant degree programme listed above. You will generally need to have
achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons)
degree or higher. Find out more about the postgraduate
entry requirements for your country
- Applicants
must have graduated from undergraduate study before December 2022 and must
be in possession of a degree certificate and official, final transcript to
upload alongside their application
- Applicants
must be residents and citizens of a Sub-Saharan African country
- Applicants
must be without the financial means to study oversees independently
- We
particularly welcome applications from female scholars, scholars from
refugee and displaced backgrounds, and scholars with disabilities (see
FAQs below for further information)
- Applicants
must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their
community
- If
applying for the Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously
completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to
enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation
Scholarship
- If
applying for the PG diploma: Applicants can either have an
undergraduate or Master’s degree from a Sub-Saharan African university
(provided they will graduate from either degree before December
2022). If you have a Master’s degree, our admissions team will review
you first degree (undergraduate) to meet the post graduate diploma entry
requirement. The MCF team will review your Master’s degree transcripts to
confirm the graduation date and location of your University.
- Applicants must be 35 or under on the 1 September 2024
How to apply
You must qualify academically for admission to the
University of Edinburgh. We prefer that applicants apply to this scholarship before applying
to the University.
If you believe you meet all the eligibility criteria please
apply.
Applications for our 2024 Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Program, for postgraduate degrees only, will open on Thursday 15 December
at 10am UK time and will close on Friday 27 January at 5pm UK time.
If you have any queries regarding the Mastercard Foundation Scholarships which are not answered in the FAQs, please contact us at: mcfsp@ed.ac.uk.
We will also host online Information Sessions on 13 and 20
January 2024 from 4-5pm UK time for those interested in finding out more
about the program and application process. If you would like to attend
please sign
up for the session using this form. We will provide a recording of the 13
January session on this page on 14 January.
Apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Application timeline 2024
|
15 December 2022 (10am UK time) |
Applications open |
|
13 and 20 January 2024 (4 – 5pm UK time) |
Application Information Sessions – Register
for the session |
|
27 January 2024 (5pm UK time) |
Applications close |
|
10 – 13 April 2024 |
Online Distance Learners (ODL) Interview shortlisting
begins; both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified (Please
note references will be requested for applicants invited for an interview) |
|
18 April – 12 May 2024 |
ODL interviews take place |
|
Mid-end of May 2024 |
ODL Interview outcomes will be announced |
|
June – July 2024 |
Support provided through admissions processes |
|
September 2024 |
Academic program starts |