ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants should:

Be a citizen of an African country, including South Africa;

Be applying for their first bachelor’s degree or an eligible taught postgraduate programme at UCT including:

A postgraduate diploma offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences;

An honours degree offered by any of UCT’s six faculties; or 

A coursework master’s programme offered by any of UCT’s six faculties;

Demonstrate academic talent and a commitment to excellence;

Face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education;

Demonstrate potential for transformative and ethical leadership; and

Be committed to serving their communities and contributing to positive change.

You should be:

Academically talented with a demonstrated commitment to learning and a drive to complete your education.

Limited in your ability to access education owing to significant financial barriers.

Committed to investing in your community through the skills and knowledge that you acquire.

A future leader committed to ethical transformation and making a positive contribution to your community and broader society.

Fields of study at UCT: Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science. 

For applicants to a UCT bachelor’s degree, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application deadline is 30 September 2026.

For applicants to an eligible postgraduate diploma in the Faculty of Health Sciences or an honours degree or master’s programme at UCT, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application deadline is 31 October 2026.

BENEFIT:

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is considered to be full-cost and will include full cover for the following (for awardees) as recorded in the Terms of Reference and Conditions of Award document available on The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT website:

Reimbursement of costs incurred for visa application processing

An economy class air ticket to Cape Town South Africa for awardees who are i) citizens and/or residents of a Sub-Saharan country other than South Africa or ii) residing in South Africa but outside of Cape Town

Full tuition fees and international student fees

Accommodation in the student housing system at the University of Cape Town

Meals through the student housing system at the University of Cape Town

Medical cover with a recommended medical aid service provider

A living stipend to be used to cover ad hoc expenses pertaining to your studies

A book allowance to purchase the prescribed textbooks required for your degree programme

Costs related to community activities as prescribed by the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town

Access to an internship opportunity

An economy class air ticket home upon completion of studies, for awardees who are i) citizens of and/or residents of a Sub-Saharan country other than South Africa or ii) residing in South Africa but outside of Cape Town