Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT 2027 for Postgraduates

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (UCT) funds study in South Africa, and this listing covers its postgraduate call for 2027. It is meant for postgraduate applicants who want their main costs covered while they study in Cape Town.

Who can apply

Citizens of any African country can apply, South Africa included. The call names three routes: an eligible postgraduate diploma in the Faculty of Health Sciences, an honours degree, or a master's programme at UCT. Honours and master's applicants are not limited to one discipline, while the diploma route belongs to Health Sciences.

What the scholarship covers

The support is comprehensive. It pays tuition fees for your chosen programme of study and provides a laptop, accommodation on UCT's campuses, living expenses, medical aid, a study visa where applicable, and annual travel to and from UCT.

Deadline and how to apply

For these postgraduate routes, the scholarship application closes on 31 October 2026. Your application to the UCT programme itself and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application are two separate submissions, so plan to complete both.

Before you apply

Confirm on the official UCT page that your intended programme is one of the eligible options before you invest time in the forms. Start the programme application early, prepare the scholarship application alongside it, and keep copies of everything you send.