University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Online Scholarship 2026
Published: 14 Oct 2025
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Mastercard Foundation in Partnership with University of Edinburgh invites exceptional young people with great academic and leadership experience who have overcome barriers to their education and are diligently committed to pursuing their studies to apply for an Online Scholarship at the University of Edinburgh.
All Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the University of Edinburgh will participate in a Climate Leadership Programme. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program aims to make a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis.
Online studies are an excellent way to earn a qualification for those who would like to continue working and prefer to study in their local context.
Online qualifications through the University of Edinburgh are equivalent to degrees taught on campus.
Applicants can apply for either:
online Masters (part-time up to three years OR
online postgraduate diploma (part-time up to two years).
Online Masters
Masters programmes normally aim at those who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to develop more specialised knowledge in the same subject or similar career area.
Applicants who already have a postgraduate qualification are not able to apply for the online Masters.
Online postgraduate diploma
Postgraduate diplomas are aimed at those who are considering a potential change in their careers and tend to be more vocational.
Candidates with either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from a African university are equally able to apply (provided they will graduate from either degree and provide their degree certificates and transcripts by the application deadline)
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Online Scholarship Benefits
The online scholarship provides:
full approved tuition fees; scholars will not pay for any part of the tuition fees
an academic stipend to allow for access to a laptop and high-quality internet
the opportunity to attend an in-person gathering
participation in activities as part of the wider Climate Leadership Programme at the University of Edinburgh, including regular online workshops, online coaching and support
participation in the Climate Enterprise School, an intensive week-long programme of training in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
a dedicated Online Coordinator
additional support for Scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs
transitions support.
University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Online Scholarship Courses
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health
Climate Change
Data Science Technologies
Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics
Digital Education
Global Challenges
Global Food Security and Nutrition
Global Health and Infectious Disease
International Development
One Health
Social Justice and Community Action
Requirements for University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Online Scholarship
You must meet the eligibility criteria to apply:
Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed. You will generally need to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher.
Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).
Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 21 November 2025.
Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in an African country (including North Africa).
Applicants must have faced barriers to education and in their early career.
Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.
Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis
Applicants must be 35 or under the year the programme commences. Therefore, for the 2026/27 academic year, we accept applications from those born on or after 1 January 1991. Anyone born in 1990 and prior is not eligible.
Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.
If applying for the online Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or applying to enrol) at a separate university.
If applying for the online Postgraduate Diploma: Applicants can either have an undergraduate or Masters degree from an African university (provided they will graduate from either degree by 21 November 2025). If you have a Masters degree, our admissions team will review your first degree (undergraduate) to meet the postgraduate diploma entry requirement. The Program will review your Masters degree transcripts to confirm your university’s graduation date and location.
We encourage applications from women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and people with disabilities.
Selection Process
The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:
Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admissions to the University of Edinburgh
Track record as a transformative leader and service within their community
Quality of application in line with the Program's theme of climate justice.
Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
Applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health related).
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