Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for the 2026 academic year. This fully-funded scholarship supports talented young people from South Africa and across Africa to pursue undergraduate or master’s degrees in fields such as Arts & Humanities, Economic & Management Sciences, Education, Natural Sciences, Community & Health Sciences, and Law.

The program targets those facing economic and social barriers, particularly young women, refugees, forcibly displaced youth, and persons with disabilities. There is no application fee, and the deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. Check more BS, MS and PhD positions.

Key Details

• Scholarship Type: Fully-funded (covers tuition, housing, stipend, medical aid, laptop, study materials)
• Eligible Programs:
  • Undergraduate: Arts & Humanities, Economic & Management Sciences, Education, Natural Sciences
  • Master’s: Arts & Humanities, Community & Health Sciences, Economic & Management Sciences, Law, Natural Sciences
• Application Deadline: August 31, 2025
• Application Fee: None

Scholarship Benefits

• Full Tuition Coverage: No financial burden for your studies.
• On-Campus Housing: Accommodation in UWC residences.
• Monthly Stipend & Meal Allowance: Support for daily living expenses.
• Medical Aid: Access to healthcare services.
• Laptop & Study Materials: Tools to enhance your academic experience.
• Personalized Support: Pre-arrival assistance, onboarding, and ongoing guidance through wrap-around support programs.

Check this scholarship: Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) Scholarships

Available Fields of Study

Undergraduate Programs

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

Master’s Degree Programs

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

Check out fully funded internships here

Eligibility Criteria

For Undergraduate Studies

• Age: No older than 26 years by January 2026.
• Academic Requirements: Meet UWC’s minimum admission criteria for your chosen program (visit www.uwc.ac.za).
• International applicants must apply for exemption through Universities South Africa (USAf) to determine if they meet South Africa’s minimum higher education admission requirements. (For exemption applications and additional information, please visit https://usaf.ac.za/facilitating-entry-to-sa-universities/)
• Study Commitment: Be prepared to register for full-time study in January 2026.
• Economic/Social Barriers: Provide evidence of financial or social challenges impacting access to education.

For fully funded conferences visit here!

For Master’s Degree Studies

• Age: No older than 30 years by January 2026.
• Academic Requirements: Meet UWC’s minimum admission criteria for your chosen program
• International applicants must ensure their qualifications meet the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) requirements. For verification, visit https://www.saqa.org.za/.
• Study Commitment: Be prepared to begin first-year master’s studies in January 2026.
• Economic/Social Barriers: Provide evidence of financial or social challenges.

Note: Applicants already holding an undergraduate or master’s degree are not eligible for a second degree under this program.

Check this: Max Planck Summer Internship in Germany

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply for Admission to UWC

• Submit an academic application for your desired program at UWC for the 2026 academic year via admission-and-financial-aid/apply.
• Obtain a UWC application number, which is required for the scholarship application.
• Check program-specific closing dates to ensure timely submission.

Step 2: Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• Complete the online scholarship application (Link below)
• Required documents include:
  • Proof of parental income (e.g., payslips, social grant letters, or NSFAS funding letters).
  • If unemployed, provide a letter of unemployment from the Department of Labour.
  • For refugees or displaced persons, include relevant documentation.
• Application sections:
  • Personal Information
  • Academic Information
  • Family Information
  • Short Narratives
  • Community Engagement
  • Certification

Also Check: Omani Scholarship Program 2025–26

Notification: Successful applicants will be contacted by mid-December 2025. If you do not hear back, consider your application unsuccessful.

Important: Submit only one complete application. Incomplete or duplicate applications will be rejected.