MasterCard Foundation is offering scholarships for Sub-Saharan African students at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Up to 42 scholarships (13 undergraduate and 29 Masters) are available for students who intend to commence with their first year of registration for full-time undergraduate and masters study.

The vision of the Program is to transition promising young people from beneficiaries to benefactors, preparing them with the necessary values, knowledge, skills, and leadership to fuel economic and social progress across Africa.

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a 10-year global initiative to educate and develop the next generation leaders who will contribute to social and economic progress, particularly in Africa.

Brief Description

University or Organization: MasterCard Foundation
Department: NA
Course Level: Undergraduate and Postgraduate program
Award: Full tuition
Access Mode: Online
Number of Awards: NA
Nationality: Sub-Saharan African country
The program can be taken in South Africa
Application Deadline: Closed

Eligibility

In order to be considered for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town, applicants must be:

• Academically talented, must value learning and be driven to complete their education.
• Scholarships are awarded in the fields of Commerce, Engineering and Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law or Sciences at the University of Cape Town.
• Economically disadvantaged and facing significant financial barriers to accessing education.
• Committed to giving back to their own communities once studies are completed, to return to their home countries and take a leadership role in promoting social and economic improvement.
• Future leaders committed to embracing ethical leadership to improve the lives of others.
• Commitment to community service through previous and/or past engagements with community outreach activities
• Wanting to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level (Masters by research and coursework or research Masters, only).
• Applying to study in the fields of Commerce, Engineering and Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law or Sciences at the University of Cape Town.
• All prospective Scholars must first be admitted to the University of Cape Town to be considered for the Scholarship.
• Although each academic department has its own criteria, a minimum of 60% for the Honours or equivalent degree is the overall academic criterion required for entry into the Masters’ degree.
• Preference will be given to ‘first-generation’ students, i.e. those who are the first ones in their families to go to university.
•  Citizens and residents of a Sub-Saharan African country can apply.

How to Apply

• How to apply: In order to apply for The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, applicants must first apply to the UCT for academic study and placement. At the point of selection, the applicant should have a conditional/firm offer from the University of Cape Town.
• Supporting Documents: To apply, students must be ready to submit the Certified copy of Identity Document, Passport or Refugee Papers, Certified copies of all Secondary education transcripts, 2 Academic Referee Reports, CV.
• Admission Requirements: Each academic department has its own criteria, a minimum of 60% for the Honours or equivalent degree is the overall academic criterion required for entry into the Masters’ degree.
• Language Requirement: The medium of instruction and examination at UCT is English. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to submit one of the following:
  • A recent score (obtained within 3 – 5 years before the application for admission) of at least 570 (paper-based test) or 230 (computer-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • A recent overall band score of 7.0 (with no individual element of the test scoring below 6.0) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
  • Or, noting that this may only be written at certain designated venues within South Africa, a score of at least 65% on the university’s Placement Test in English for Educational Purposes (PTEEP).

Benefit

The scholarships are considered to be full-cost and will include full cover for the following:

• Visa costs
• Transport costs to and from South Africa
• Full tuition and international student fees
• Full accommodation, subsistence and living expenses
• Research costs as approved or recommended by UCT and the Foundation
• Access to internship opportunities and a cover of related costs
• Medical aid

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