South Africa is the economic powerhouse of the continent and hosts several of its highest-ranked universities. The Mastercard Foundation partners with elite South African institutions—most notably the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Pretoria—to grant fully funded scholarships to academically gifted but economically disadvantaged African students.
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- 3.0
- Offer Degrees
- Bachelors, Masters
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology
- Seats Available
- Hundreds annually
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- No
- Work Experience
- No
- Age Range
- No Min - 35
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- Optional
- TOEFL
- Optional
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- English
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- English
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- See Description
- Monthly Stipend
- ZAR 0/mo
- Tuition
- Full
- Living Costs
- Full
- Travel & Health
- Yes / Yes
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
Studying at UCT or Pretoria is akin to attending a top European university but without the cultural alienation. The Mastercard Foundation covers every single cent of your expenses: tuition, campus housing, a monthly living stipend (generous enough to survive comfortably in expensive cities like Cape Town), flights, and comprehensive medical aid. It removes all financial anxiety so you can focus entirely on your degree and leadership training.
Application Process
You do not apply to the Mastercard Foundation directly. You must first apply to the partner university (e.g., UCT). Once you receive an offer of admission (or sometimes concurrently), you complete the specific Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application hosted by that university's international office.
How to Win This Scholarship
The selection committee is looking for a very specific profile: someone who has suffered genuine, provable economic hardship but has transcended it through sheer grit and community service. Your essays must violently reject the 'victim narrative' while still being brutally honest about your lack of resources. Highlight any local initiatives you have started.
They want to invest in students who will leverage their South African degree to return home and build industries or NGOs.
Benefits After Completing Study
Graduating from a top South African university opens massive corporate doors across the continent, particularly in banking, mining, and tech.
The universities conduct rigorous background checks to verify your financial status. If you claim extreme poverty but attended an expensive private high school, your application will be instantly flagged and rejected.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source