Call for Applications: Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC – Academic Year 2026 in South Africa

Ednah Carrick July 4, 2025

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Closing Date: 30 September 2025

Call for Applications: Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC – Academic Year 2026 in South Africa

Overview

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is an implementing partner of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Initiated in 2012, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily young Africans, to pursue their higher education and cultivate their leadership potential.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is specifically targeted towards young people whose access to higher education is impeded by economic and social barriers. The Program places a particular emphasis on reaching young women, refugees and forcibly displaced youth, and persons with disabilities, who are encouraged to apply.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape supports academically talented youth from South Africa and other parts of the African continent. The aim of the Program is to equip youth with the necessary tools and education to drive transformative change which will positively impact their communities and countries. For the 2026 academic year, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC will provide fully-funded opportunities for young scholars to study for i) undergraduate qualifications or ii) master’s degree qualifications.

The University of the Western Cape invites applications for a limited number of undergraduate and master’s degree scholarships from qualifying candidates from South Africa and the African continent who are prepared to register for full-time study in 2026.

Eligibility

At the time of application, an applicant must satisfy the following five criteria:

For Undergraduate Studies:

Be no older than 26 years for the undergraduate studies;
Meet the University’s minimum admissions requirements (for program/discipline-specific information, visit www.uwc.ac.za) and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2026;
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/).
Be prepared to register for full-time undergraduate study in January 2026;
Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.

For Master’s Degree Studies:

Be no older than 30 years for the master’s degree studies;
Meet the University’s minimum admissions requirements (for program/discipline-specific information, visit www.uwc.ac.za) and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2026;
International applicants must ensure their qualifications meet the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) requirements. For verification, visit https://www.saqa.org.za/;
Be prepared to begin their first year of registration for full-time master’s degree study in January 2026;
Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.

General Conditions of Award

In addition to providing support for tuition fees, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC provides a range of specialised resources to support Mastercard Foundation Scholars to facilitate their transition into dignified and fulfilling work. In particular, Mastercard Foundation Scholars will be provided with:

o Pre-arrival support and an official on-boarding welcome programme;
o Housing in a UWC residence on campus;
o Personalised support throughout their studies, ensuring that every Mastercard Foundation Scholar has the best possible experience at UWC;
o A monthly stipend and meal allowance;
o Medical aid;
o Laptop;
o Study materials allowance; and
o Holistic wrap around support programmes.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars are required to sign a scholarship agreement once they are accepted and enrolled onto the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars are expected to meet the required academic standards of the University to retain their scholarships.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at University of the Western Cape provides support to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars for the duration of their registered qualification at the University.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars are expected to comply with the rules and regulations of the University of the Western Cape as stipulated in the University calendar.