The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at The University of Edinburgh believes that all young people, no matter their starting point in life, should have an equal chance to gain a quality education and pursue their aspirations to improve the lives of others. We are delighted to announce the launch of 2020/21 applications for postgraduate MasterCard Foundation Scholarships at the University of Edinburgh. Applications will go live on 1 October and close on 29 November 2019. Successful applicants will start at the University in September 2020.
Mastercard Foundations scholarships are fully-funded educational opportunities, grounded in transformative leadership. For more information on eligibility and selection criteria, as well as how to apply, please review the attached document and visit our website at www.edin.ac/mastercard-foundation.
Number of Scholarships
In partnership with the Foundation, Edinburgh will provide a total of 200 full scholarships to educate and support bright, young African students with great academic potential but who have experienced challenges accessing education. Over the course of the seven-year program, full scholarships will be offered to 80 undergraduate and 120 postgraduate African students who will study on degrees across the University.
For 2020 entry, applications are invited from individuals who choose to study for a full-time, on-campus master’s degree in the following programmes:
MSc Africa and International Development
MSc Environment and Development
MSc Global Health Policy
LLM Human Rights
MA Design for Change
MSc Sustainable Energy Systems
MSc Carbon Finance
MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation
A strong expectation of the Scholars Program is that successful applicants who are awarded the Scholarship return to their home countries to invest their gained skills and education in their country’s social and economic growth.
Criteria
The MasterCard Scholarships are awarded based on several key criteria:
Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the degree of their choice
Applicants must be a national and reside in (except for educational purposes) of a Sub-Saharan African country
Applicants should not have completed a postgraduate degree previously
Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community, and;
Applicants are able to present economic circumstances which show they lack the financial means to pursue higher education in their home country or elsewhere.
Value Of Scholarship Award
1. Costs incurred for visa application processing;
2. Costs incurred for English language tests;
3. Economy class air tickets to and from Edinburgh for awardees who are citizens and residents of a Sub-Saharan country;
4. Full tuition fees at the Overseas rate;
5. University self-catered accommodation;
6. A food stipend to cover the costs of food expenses;
7. A general stipend to cover basic living costs, including an academic allowance towards prescribed textbooks, printing and school supplies.
8. Costs related to community activities as prescribed by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program;
9. Access to work-based placement opportunities and a small work-based placement fund; and
10. Participation in the Scholars Retreats.
Awards are tenable for the duration of the postgraduate programme of study, and at the end of the award candidates will be expected to return to Africa.
Application process
The deadline for all applications will be 14:00 GMT on Friday 29 November. The application form can be accessed via our website at www.ed.ac.uk/global/mastercard-foundation.
All applicants are advised to apply for the scholarship first through our online application form and, if successful, will be assisted in the process of applying for admission to the University.