CAPE TOWN, South Africa — August 26, 2026 — Applications are open for the 2027 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (UCT), offering comprehensive scholarship support to academically talented students from across Africa who face significant financial and social barriers to higher education.
UCT officially announced the 2027 intake on August 21, 2026. Applicants must be citizens of an African country, including South Africa, and must be applying for their first bachelor’s degree or an eligible postgraduate programme at UCT. UCT News
The scholarship covers major study and living costs, including tuition, accommodation, living expenses, medical aid, travel and study-visa costs where applicable. Scholars also receive academic support, leadership development, career preparation and access to internship opportunities. University of Cape Town
Who Can Apply for the UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?
Applicants must be citizens of an African country, including South Africa.
UCT says candidates should demonstrate strong academic ability while also showing that significant social or economic barriers have limited their access to higher education.
Applicants are also expected to demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to their communities and an interest in contributing to positive change in Africa. UCT particularly encourages applications from young women, people with disabilities, refugees and forcibly displaced young people. University of Cape Town
Eligible study options include:
A first undergraduate bachelor’s degree
A postgraduate diploma offered by UCT's Faculty of Health Sciences
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UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 Opens to Africans
Aug 27, 2026
Aug 27, 2026
9 min read
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CAPE TOWN, South Africa — August 26, 2026 — Applications are open for the 2027 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (UCT), offering comprehensive scholarship support to academically talented students from across Africa who face significant financial and social barriers to higher education.
UCT officially announced the 2027 intake on August 21, 2026. Applicants must be citizens of an African country, including South Africa, and must be applying for their first bachelor’s degree or an eligible postgraduate programme at UCT. UCT News
The scholarship covers major study and living costs, including tuition, accommodation, living expenses, medical aid, travel and study-visa costs where applicable. Scholars also receive academic support, leadership development, career preparation and access to internship opportunities. University of Cape Town
Who Can Apply for the UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?
Applicants must be citizens of an African country, including South Africa.
UCT says candidates should demonstrate strong academic ability while also showing that significant social or economic barriers have limited their access to higher education.
Applicants are also expected to demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to their communities and an interest in contributing to positive change in Africa. UCT particularly encourages applications from young women, people with disabilities, refugees and forcibly displaced young people. University of Cape Town
Eligible study options include:
A first undergraduate bachelor’s degree
A postgraduate diploma offered by UCT's Faculty of Health Sciences
An honours degree
An eligible coursework master's degree
Study opportunities are available across UCT's faculties of Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science. University of Cape Town
The scholarship does not cover part-time programmes, research-only master's degrees or PhD programmes.
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What Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Cover?
The UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is designed as comprehensive support for the duration of an eligible degree.
UCT says funding can include:
Full tuition fees
International student fees where applicable
UCT student accommodation
Living expenses
Meals
Medical aid
A laptop
Study-visa support where applicable
Travel between the scholar's home and Cape Town
Book and study-related support
Academic and peer support
Leadership development
Career-readiness training
Entrepreneurship development
Internship opportunities
Access to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network
UCT states that support continues for the full period of the student's programme and is renewed annually subject to satisfactory academic performance, conduct and participation in Scholars Program activities. University of Cape Town
Important Warning for Undergraduate Applicants
There is an important restriction for students hoping to begin a bachelor's degree in 2027.
UCT's general undergraduate applications for the 2027 academic year are already closed.
This means a student who has not already applied to UCT for undergraduate admission cannot now use the Mastercard Foundation scholarship application as a way to submit a new UCT bachelor’s application.
Students who already submitted their 2027 undergraduate application to UCT may still apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program if they meet the scholarship requirements.
They must ultimately receive an offer of admission from UCT to qualify for the scholarship. University of Cape Town
Postgraduate applicants still have an opportunity to apply to UCT, although individual faculties and academic programmes may have their own closing dates.
Documents Required
UCT's current scholarship application form provides a clearer document checklist for 2027 applicants.
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Applicants must provide proof of address, such as an official bank statement, utility or municipal bill, or qualifying letter confirming their home address.
They must also provide evidence of their family's financial situation, which may include parent or guardian bank statements or documentation of government or social grants. University of Cape Town
Applicants also need a CV or resume of no more than three pages covering their education, employment where applicable, extracurricular activities, community involvement and leadership experience. University of Cape Town
A recommendation letter is also required. UCT says it may come from a teacher, lecturer, religious leader or previous employer and should include the referee's full name and contact details. University of Cape Town
Applicants Must Submit an Essay
Both undergraduate and postgraduate candidates have an essay requirement of no more than 2,000 words.
Undergraduate applicants are asked to discuss why they want to join the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, their personal and professional goals, their educational journey, barriers they have overcome and how they have supported people around them. University of Cape Town
Postgraduate applicants must focus more strongly on leadership, community service, entrepreneurship and how they intend to contribute to the economic and social development of their community, country and Africa. University of Cape Town
How to Apply
The Mastercard Foundation scholarship application and the normal UCT academic application are two separate processes.
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Applicants should:
Identify an eligible programme at the University of Cape Town.
Apply for academic admission to UCT, where academic applications are still available.
Obtain and keep their UCT applicant or campus number.
Complete the separate Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.
Upload the required supporting documents.
Submit the application before the applicable scholarship deadline.
UCT advises prospective scholars to apply for academic admission first because receiving the scholarship depends on obtaining admission to an eligible UCT programme. University of Cape Town
UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 Deadline
There are two main scholarship deadlines:
Undergraduate applicants: September 30, 2026
Postgraduate applicants: October 31, 2026
The September 30 deadline applies only to prospective undergraduate scholars who already submitted a 2027 undergraduate application to UCT before university admissions closed. University of Cape Town
Postgraduate candidates should also check the closing date for their individual academic programme because a faculty or department may close applications before the Mastercard Foundation scholarship deadline.
Is the UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Fully Funded?
UCT describes the programme as providing comprehensive financial support. Its published benefits include tuition, accommodation, living costs, medical cover, study-visa support and travel, alongside academic and professional-development support. University of Cape Town
The scholarship is therefore one of the most substantial current university-funding opportunities available to eligible African students seeking undergraduate or postgraduate education in South Africa.
Applicants should use only the official University of Cape Town application channels and carefully review the eligibility requirements before submitting.
Official Application Links
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