APPLY: 2025 University of the Western Cape Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for Africans

Application Deadline: August 30, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2025 University of the Western Cape (UWC) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. This program is a global initiative aimed at developing the next generation of transformative leaders by providing access to higher education for highly talented, service-oriented young individuals, primarily from Africa.

Program Overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is dedicated to supporting young people who face economic and social barriers to accessing higher education. It focuses on reaching young women, refugees, forcibly displaced youth, and young people living with disabilities.

The program offers fully-funded opportunities for:

• Undergraduate Studies
• Master’s Degree Studies

Fields of Study

Undergraduate

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

Master’s Degree

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

Eligibility Criteria

Master’s Degree

1. Age: Must be no older than 30 years.
2. Admission: Meet UWC’s minimum admissions requirements and have applied for academic admission for 2025.
3. Registration: Prepared to start full-time studies in January 2025.
4. Barriers: Must provide evidence of economic and social barriers to education.

Undergraduate

1. Age: Must be no older than 26 years.
2. Admission: Meet UWC’s minimum admissions requirements and have applied for academic admission for 2025.
3. Registration: Prepared to start full-time studies in January 2025.
4. Barriers: Must provide evidence of economic and social barriers to education.

Benefits

The program offers comprehensive support, including:

• Tuition fees
• Pre-arrival support and onboarding
• On-campus housing
• Personalized support throughout studies
• Monthly stipend and meal allowance
• Medical aid
• Laptop and study materials allowance
• Holistic wrap-around support programs

Application Process

Step 1: Apply for admission to UWC
Submit an academic application to UWC for the 2025 academic year. Only those who have a UWC application number can apply for the scholarship.

Step 2: Apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Complete the online application, including sections on personal information, academic information, family information, short narratives, community engagement, and certification.

Application Deadline: August 30, 2024
Notification of Results: By November 15, 2024 (if no response, consider application unsuccessful).

For more information, visit the Official Webpage of UWC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.