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Writer's pictureOmran Aburayya

Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at University of Cape Town 2024-25

Applications are now open for students from Sub-Saharan Africa to benefit from The Mastercard Foundation Foundation Scholarship at University of Cape Town.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (UCT) provides full-cost scholarships to academically talented young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa. These scholars have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate (honours and master’s) degrees at UCT. The program not only offers a top-level education but also includes comprehensive support systems such as leadership development, mentorship, and access to a global alumni network. Through this initiative, UCT aims to empower the next generation of leaders who will make positive changes in their communities and beyond.

This article we will serve as your complete guide for this scholarship.

 

Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Details

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT provides full-cost scholarships to young Africans who are first-time undergraduate or postgraduate (honours and master’s) degree-seeking applicants. The scholarships ensure a premium educational package that will produce graduates whose qualifications are internationally recognised and locally applicable, and whose transition into the workforce is underpinned by values of engaged citizenship and social justice.


These scholarships cover the full period of study and are renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance and participation in the activities and opportunities offered by the programme. Successful candidates will be required to commit themselves to returning to their home countries and to invest their gained skills and education in their country’s social and economic growth.

 

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants for Mastercard Foundation Scholarships for Postgraduate study, will receive the following benefits:


  • Reimbursement of costs incurred for visa application processing

  • An economy class air ticket to & Cape Town South Africa for awardees

  • Full tuition fees and international student fees

  • Accommodation in a student residence managed by the UCTQ Student Housing Admissions and Advocacy Services at UCT

  • Meals through the student housing system at UCT

  • Medical cover with a recommended medical aid service provider

  • A living stipend; to be used to cover ad hoc expenses pertaining to awardees' studies

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

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

  • An economy class air ticket home upon completion of studies, for awardees who are: (i) citizens of and/or residents of an African country other than South Africa or (ii) residing in South Africa but outside of Cape Town.


In addition to Financial Coverage, awardees will also enjoy below benefits:

• A relevant and recognised education: through academic curricula aimed at producing graduates whose qualifications are internationally recognised and locally applicable.


• Academic and peer mentor support: to ensure that each Mastercard Foundation Scholar successfully progresses academically.


• An array of cultural and training: aimed at academic and professional enrichment and assisting in the challenges facing university going students.


• Career and internship opportunities in Africa: service learning, experiential learning – career guidance and support for transition to further study or the workforce.


• Leadership development and training & Alumni networks for further support.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town, applicants must meet the following criteria:


1). Target Group

  • Applicants must be a citizen of an African country

  • Be from an economically disadvantaged background, demonstrate financial need, and leadership potential

  • Applicants who intend to register for a second Masters postgraduate degree at the same level are ineligible to apply for this scholarship

  • Applicants who have previously registered for Masters postgraduate degree at any higher learning institution are ineligible to apply for this scholarship


2). Academic Criteria

  • Be admitted to a postgraduate Masters study programme and preparing to commence with their first year of registration in the Engineering and the Built Environment, Commerce, Health Q Sciences, Humanities, Law, or Q Sciences faculties at UCT

  • The comments on the academic abilities of the applicant by the academic referees will form part of the academic criteria for this scholarship.

  • Successful applicants will be required to produce the original academic transcripts on arrival and registration at UCT.

  • Applicants will be required to produce translated copies of all academic transcripts where English is not the primary language.


3). Financial Need Criteria

Financial Need must be illustrated as follows:

  • Full declaration of all financial and educational details required must be recorded on The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town, online postgraduate scholarship application form.

  • Details of all property and assets of any nature must be declared.

  • UCT reserves the right to request that applicants furnish evidence of answers/statements on the application form. If it is found that the provided information is false or untrue, the University further reserves the right to disqualify an application and/or to cancel the scholarship award and recover any scholarship funds that may have been disbursed out to an awardee.

 

Application Procedure

In order to apply for The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, applicants must first apply to the University of Cape Town for academic study and placement. Only applicants, who have applied for academic study and placement to UCT, can submit an application for a Mastercard Foundation scholarship.


To apply for a Mastercard Foundation scholarship applicants will need to visit

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship application website available at this link: https://uctmcf.smapply.io/


Application Documents

  1. Certified copy of Identity Document, Passport or Refugee Papers

  2. Applicant's Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than two (2) A4 pages using the following points as context: Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities

  3. Academic and/or Professional Experience Certified copies of all Secondary Q education transcripts

  4. Certified copies of all current and previous Tertiary education transcripts

  5. Two (2) different Academic Referee Reports

  6. Applicants are required to submit an essay, of no more than 2000 words which provides a brief explanation of the applicants background / circumstances and additional information using the following points as context: (i) In which ways do you envisage contributing to the economic growth and social development of your country and Africa on completion of your studies, using your education as leverage? (ii) Explain any community service activities you have been involved in. (iii) List the qualities that, for you, define leadership and elaborate on leadership initiatives that you have undertaken.


Application Deadline: Not specified


➢ For Detailed information and guidelines, download this: TERMS OF REFERENCE AND CONDITIONS OF AWARD (PDF).

And;

➢ visit the official website

 

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