The University of Pretoria (UP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation (MCF) is currently offering scholarships for high achieving African students interested in studying at postgraduate levels, commencing in January 2020.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) targets academically talented yet economically disadvantaged young people in Africa who will contribute to the transformation of the continent through their knowledge, skills, attitudes and values evidenced by their leadership. Community service and internships are essential components of the Program. The MCFSP offers a full scholarship to selected students who have been provisionally admitted to study towards a postgraduate degree at UP. Graduates must return to their home countries on completion of their studies and give back to their communities.
Application Deadline
Applications to study at the UP open on 1 March 2020 and close on 31 August 2020. Applications for the MCFSP open on 1 May 2021 and close on 31 October 2021
Eligible Countries
African countries (Except Southern African countries)
To be taken at (country): South Africa
Fields of Study
- Postgraduate Study Programmes
- Master’s degree applicants
Eligibility
- Candidates should be citizens from Sub-Saharan African country.
- Applicants should come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and demonstrate financial neediness.
- Candidates should demonstrate leadership potential and ought to be involved in a giving back project eg. in a community, at school, church etc.
- Academic excellence is paramount and students have to maintain a high academic average at all times.
- Candidates need to be first time applicants as first year students in the degree programme
Selection Criteria
Selection will focus on prior academic achievement, but also on the fit of the applicant to the ethos of the Program, which is focused on leadership and community development for Africa in addition to academic success. Successful applicants must be committed to completing their qualifications in minimum time, returning to their home countries and giving back to their communities.
Worth Scholarship
The Program will cover the following:
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation in a UP residence
- Meals
- Books and printed material
- A modest monthly stipend
- Medical aid (Ingwe only)
- Travel costs (one return trip for the duration of the study period)
- Cost of one visa application for the duration of the study period.
How to Apply
Application for admission at the University of Pretoria is fully online at www.up.ac.za/apply
Click on the following link for the Postgraduate scholarship application form.
Click the following link for Application Instructions
MCFSP is only recruiting outside of the SADC Region for 2022 and there are NO UNDERGRADUATE scholarships.
