Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded

South Africa is calling all talented and aspiring African youths and young professionals. As we dedicate our time to bring life changing opportunities to you, The Opportunities Circle is delighted to inform you that the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at the University of Western Cape for the 2026 academic year in South Africa. In its efforts to advance academic excellence in Africa, The University of Western Cape Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2026 supports students from South Africa and other African countries who are academically talented and brilliant to pursue higher studies in South Africa for free. 

In 2026, The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the university of Western Cape intends to offer  fully funded scholarships to young, energetic and talented students to further their studies for their undergraduate or master’s degree qualifications. If you are a high academic achiever and a very brilliant student from South African or any other African country, and you want to study in one of Africa's most developed nation for free, then, you should apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2025.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Initiated in 2012, it has partnered with the University of Western Cape to make education accessible. The fully funded Scholars Program offered by the Mastercard Foundation is a global initiative. It is designed to develop the tomorrow's  generation of transformative and motivated leaders by enabling highly talented, brilliant, and service-oriented young people, particularly young Africans, to pursue their higher education for free at the University of Western Cape, South Africa.  This scholarship will help in bringing out the hidden leadership potential of the African younger generation. Though the University of Western Cape Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026 if fully funded, it offers scholarships for limited fields of study. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must must select from any of the fields that are eligible (details are given below). Also, check this Mastercard Foundation 2026 Innovation and Technology Scholarship in partnership with Arizona State University | Fully Funded if you are interested in studying in the US as African student.

This fully funded University of Western Cape Scholarship purposely for young people whose access to higher studies is limited by economic and social barriers. Young women and men,  young people living with disabilities, refugees, and forcibly displaced youths are highly considered for the University of Western Cape Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program. UWC Mastercard Scholarship Program. These categories of people are highly encouraged to apply for this fully funded  scholarship at UWC. The UWC scholarship program is highly competitive and therefore offers a limited number of scholarships for international students. This is a clear indication that applicants must have excellent academic records and be highly talented. To make it easier for interested applicants, The Opportunities Circle, in its efforts to Connecting Dreamers with Opportunities to Build Bridges, we have provided all the relevant details below. Read the article carefully so you can get all the details you need.

Details About the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2026 at the University of Western Cape

Eligible Fields of Study for Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 

Bachelors Programs

• Humanities & Arts (History, Linguistics, Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies);
• Education (Mathematics and Science, Foundation Phase);
• Economic & Management Sciences (Economics, Information Sciences, and Public Administration);
• Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences).

Postgraduate Programs

• Humanities & Arts (Applied Linguistics, History, Gender Justice, Migration Studies, Sociology for Development);
• Economic & Management Sciences (Development Studies, Information Sciences and Migration Studies);
• Public Health (Community & Health Sciences
• Law (Governance and Human Rights);
• Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences)

Country: South Africa

Financial coverage: Fully Funded
Eligible Countries: South Africa and African Continent
Deadline: August 31, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

Are you interested and ready to apply for the UWC Mastercard Foundation Scholarship? Then, continue reading to get to know the eligibility criteria below and start preparing your documents. It is important to note that all scholarships have their respectively eligibility criteria. This particular one is not an exception. Therefore, find below the eligibility criteria for the UWC Mastercard Foundation Scholarship in South Africa. 

Undergraduates 

• The fully funded scholarship is specifically intended for young Africans.
• Applicants from other countries outside South Africa must make sure that their academic qualification meet the Universities of South Africa (USAF) standards.
• Applicants applying for undergraduate studies, must not be older than 26 years of age at the time of application.
• The universities minimum admission requirements must be met  by all applicants.
• To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be applying for the 2026 academic admission year. 
• They should be able to provide proof that their access to university studies is affected by social and economic barriers.

Postgraduate

• The scholarship is primarily for young Africans.
• At the time of application, applicants must not be older than 30 years for the master’s degree studies.
• Applicants must meet the University’s minimum admissions requirements.
• Applicants from countries outside South Africa should ensure their qualifications meet the Universities South Africa (USAF) requirements
• Similarly, applicants must have applied for academic admission 2026 to the University.
• They must be able to provide proof that their access to university studies is affected by social and economic barriers.
• Applicants must not have previously been registered for a Master’s degree for this UWC scholarship 2026.

Benefits of the Scholarship

• Are you confident that you are eligible for the Mastercard scholarship program? If  yes, then check what the benefits of this fully funded scholarship entails. We at The Opportunities Circle have listed the benefits for you below. These amazing benefits include:
• The fully funded Mastercard scholarship will provide free tuition fee for bachelor’s or master’s studies at the University of Western Cape.
• Accommodation will be provided for the students at the UWC residence on campus as well students will be given a  pre-arrival support.
• Students will supported throughout their degree duration for an optimal experience.
• They will also be provided with a monthly stipend and meal allowance.
• Scholars will also get coverage for health-related needs such as medical aid.
• Furthermore, they will also get funding for required academic materials and laptop.
• An international networking opportunity.
• It is a fantastic opportunity for Africans to grow and gain leadership qualities.
• The UWC scholarship is an amazing chance to study free in South Africa.

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Application Process

• Click the  Apply Now button below to start your UWC Mastercard scholarship application.
• Applicants must first apply for admission to the University of Western Cape for 2026 since the UWC application number is required to complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
• From there, applicants must apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2026 by completing the online application.
• Details such as Personal Information, Academic Information, Family Information, and other required details must be completed by students in the application form. 
• Applicants must complete and apply before the UWC Mastercard scholarship deadline.
• Since the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at UWC will communicate through email (preferred) and phone, applicants must provide accurate email and phone numbers since communication with the applicants will be done through their given email and phone numbers.
• After selection, successful applicants will be invited for in-person or virtual interviews conducted by independent panels.
• Click here for masters program details, click here for undergraduate program details.
• Make sure to apply before the respective deadlines.
• Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Deadline: The fully funded Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application deadline at the University of Western Cape 2026 is 31 August 2025. However, deadline may vary so make sure to check the deadlines before applying.

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Disclaimer: “The Opportunities Circle is an opportunities sharing platform that aims to connect youths and young professionals with global opportunities that will help in their personal and professional advancement. However, it is crucial to note that The Opportunities Circle does not award any of the scholarships and opportunities listed on our platform. We therefore, do not take responsibility for any fraud, damages, or any other issues that may arise from scholarship awarding institutions. While we thoroughly check and verify the opportunities before posting them, we cannot guarantee the authenticity or reliability of all opportunities. It is the responsibility of the applicant to do their own due diligence and research before applying to any opportunity. The Opportunities Circle is not liable for any loss or damage that may result from applying to or participating in an opportunity listed on our platform.”(alert-warning)