The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 offers postgraduate scholarship opportunities for eligible young Africans seeking to study through the University of Edinburgh.
For the 2027/28 academic year, the university has introduced a new application process for both its on-campus and online postgraduate scholarships. However, applicants need to pay close attention to the process because the scholarship is not available through a normal open application route.
A mandatory virtual information session was required before applicants could receive access to the scholarship application. The university has confirmed that registration for the September 2026 information sessions has now reached capacity.
This means the opportunity should not be advertised as a scholarship that anyone can start applying for at this point. Only eligible applicants who attended the required information session and subsequently receive an invitation can proceed with the scholarship application.
About the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The programme is a partnership between the University of Edinburgh and the Mastercard Foundation aimed at supporting talented young Africans who have experienced barriers to education and demonstrate leadership potential.
The 2027/28 programme includes opportunities for postgraduate study through both on-campus and online learning routes.
The university has changed its application process for this cycle, making attendance at a mandatory information session the first formal step toward accessing the scholarship application.
What the Scholarship Offers
The exact scholarship benefits depend on whether the award is for an on-campus or online programme.
The programme is designed to provide substantial financial and educational support to eligible scholars and is aimed at students who have demonstrated academic potential, leadership qualities and a commitment to making an impact in their communities.
Applicants should consult the official scholarship information for the specific study route and programme they are being considered for.
Who Is the Programme For?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Edinburgh is aimed at talented young people from Africa who:
- Are citizens and residents of eligible African countries, subject to the programme’s requirements.
- Have experienced significant barriers to education.
- Demonstrate academic ability.
- Show leadership potential.
- Have a clear commitment to contributing to positive change.
- Meet the academic requirements for their proposed programme.
The programme considers barriers that may be social, financial, personal, practical or related to other circumstances.
The New Application Process
For 2027/28, Edinburgh introduced a multi-stage process.
Stage 1: Check your eligibility
Applicants first need to determine whether they meet the scholarship requirements.
Stage 2: Choose a programme
Applicants should review the available on-campus and online postgraduate programmes.
Stage 3: Attend a mandatory information session
This was a required part of the 2027/28 process, and the university held information sessions between September 15 and September 24, 2026.
According to the official university page, all available sessions had reached capacity and registration was closed.
Stage 4: Receive an invitation
Eligible people who attended an information session are due to receive notification on October 13, 2026, explaining whether they can proceed to the scholarship application.
Stage 5: Applicant Declaration Form
Applicants who receive an invitation must complete the Applicant Declaration Form, and the deadline is October 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM UK time.
The university warns that the form may close earlier if the application limit is reached.
Stage 6: Main scholarship application
Applicants who successfully complete the declaration stage will be invited to submit the main scholarship application.
The deadline for the main scholarship application is November 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM UK time.
Stage 7: University degree application
Importantly, applicants do not need to apply for their chosen University of Edinburgh degree at this stage.
According to the university, successful scholarship applicants will later be invited to apply for their chosen degree through the standard university admissions process.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Deadlines
For applicants who have already attended the required information session and received an invitation:
Applicant Declaration Form: October 19, 2026, 5:00 PM UK time
Main Scholarship Application: November 19, 2026, 5:00 PM UK time
However, applicants who did not attend one of the mandatory information sessions cannot simply enter the process at the main application stage.
Important Update for Applicants
This is the most important thing to understand about the 2027/28 cycle, and the University of Edinburgh’s official page states that the information sessions have reached capacity and registration has closed.
Therefore, if someone did not attend one of the required September information sessions, they should not assume they can submit a new scholarship application before November 19
This distinction is important when searching for current scholarships because the programme may appear to have a November deadline while access to the application itself is restricted to invited applicants.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 – Official Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholarship open?
The overall 2027/28 application process is underway, but new registration for the mandatory information sessions is closed because the sessions reached capacity.
Can someone who did not attend the information session apply now?
According to the university’s current instructions, attendance at an information session was mandatory to gain access to the scholarship application. Therefore, someone who did not attend should not assume they can submit a new application.
When will eligible information-session attendees hear from Edinburgh?
The university says eligible attendees will be notified on October 13, 2026, about whether they are invited to apply.
What is the first application deadline?
The Applicant Declaration Form deadline is October 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time.
What is the main scholarship application deadline?
The main scholarship application deadline is November 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM UK time.
Does the scholarship cover on-campus study?
Yes, the 2027/28 programme includes an on-campus postgraduate scholarship route.
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