Are you a young African with a dream to pursue higher education, but facing financial and social barriers? Do you know someone who is?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape is here to help! This incredible program is dedicated to empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to access quality education.
For the 2025 Academic Year, the program is offering fully-funded scholarships for undergraduate and master’s degree studies to talented youth from South Africa and the African continent. Special emphasis is placed on supporting young women, refugees, forcibly displaced youth, and individuals living with disabilities.
As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UWC, you’ll receive:
– Full tuition fees covered
– Accommodation and living expenses taken care of
– Access to leadership development programs
– Networking opportunities with like-minded individuals
Fields of Study
Masters Studies
- Arts & Humanities (Applied Linguistics, History, Gender Justice, Migration Studies, Sociology for Development);
- Community & Health Sciences (Public Health);
- Economic & Management Sciences (Development Studies, Information Sciences and Migration Studies);
- Law (Governance and Human Rights);
- Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
Undergraduate Studies
- Arts & Humanities (History, Linguistics, Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies);
- Economic & Management Sciences (Economics, Information Sciences and Public Administration);
- Education (Mathematics and Science, Foundation Phase);
- Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
Scholarship
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:
- Pre-arrival support and an official on-boarding welcome programme;
- Housing in a UWC residence on campus;
- Personalised support throughout their studies, ensuring that every Mastercard Foundation Scholar has the best possible experience at UWC;
- A monthly stipend and meal allowance;
- Medical aid;
- Laptop;
- Study materials allowance; and
- Holistic wrap around support programmes.
Eligibility
Masters
- Be no older than 30 years for the master’s degree studies;
- Meet the University’s minimum admissions requirements and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2025;
- Be prepared to begin their first year of registration for full-time master’s degree study in January 2025;
- Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
Undergraduate
- Be no older than 26 years for the undergraduate studies;
- Meet the University’s minimum admissions requirements and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2025;
- Be prepared to register for full-time undergraduate study in January 2025;
- Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
Application Procedures
Step 1: Apply for admission to study at UWC
- Applicants intending to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC must first submit an academic application to study at UWC for the 2025 academic year. Take note of the application closing dates for the desired programme /discipline.
- Only applicants who have successfully submitted their academic application and obtained a UWC application number are eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC, as a UWC application number is required to complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
Step 2: Apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Once you have successfully submitted your application to study at UWC, apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program by completing the online application.
Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity! Apply now for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape and take the first step towards achieving your academic and professional goals.”
Deadline: August 30, 2024
For more information, visit Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.