Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Pretoria; May 29, 2025
.
.
.
.
Introduction
Your Complete Guide to the 2026 Undergraduate & Post-Graduate Scholarships
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) at the University of Pretoria (UP) is one of Africa’s most generous talent-development initiatives. Since 2014 it has enabled high-achieving, socially engaged students — many of whom face severe economic, social or displacement-related barriers — to earn world-class degrees and return home ready to lead change. A brand-new phase begins with the 2026 cohort, and applications are already open. Below is everything you need to turn the opportunity into an offer letter.
1. Why this scholarship matters
- Full-ride funding: Tuition, accommodation, books, a modest monthly stipend, medical aid, travel to-and-from South Africa and a laptop are all covered.
- Leadership incubator: Scholars complete structured leadership training, community-service projects and paid internships that build real-world skills.
- Pan-African network: You join a continent-wide alumni community spanning business, government and civil-society roles.
- Purpose-driven ethos: Graduates sign a pledge to return to their home countries and “pay it forward” through knowledge transfer and service.
2. Supported faculties & programmes
| Faculty | Example study areas |
|---|---|
| Natural & Agricultural Sciences | Data Science, Food Security, Environmental Sci. |
| Economic & Management Sciences | Economics, Accounting, Entrepreneurship |
| Humanities (Political & International Studies only) |
International Relations, Political Science |
| Engineering, Built Environment & IT | Civil, Mechanical, Computer Engineering (honours & master’s only) |
| Law | UG – SADC citizens only PG – Open to all African citizens |
| Education | Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership |
Tip: Verify that your chosen UP degree satisfies any professional-licensing rules in your home country, especially for Law.
3. Who qualifies?
| Requirement | Undergraduate | Master’s (1st-year only) |
|---|---|---|
| African citizenship (including refugees & IDPs) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Facing significant socio-economic barriers or living with a disability | ✔ | ✔ |
| Minimum academic average | ≥ 70 % GPA equivalent | ≥ 70 % GPA equivalent |
| Proven leadership & community-service record | ✔ | ✔ |
| Admitted (or provisionally admitted) to an eligible UP programme | ✔ | ✔ |
Applicants may not already hold a degree at the same level (no previous bachelor’s for UG applicants and no previous master’s for PG applicants).
4. Key dates for the 2026 cohort
| Milestone | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Apply to UP for academic admission | 30 June 2025 |
| Secure provisional admission letter | Recommended by 31 Aug 2025 (UG) / 30 Sep 2025 (PG) |
| Submit MCFSP scholarship application (+ documents) | 30 June 2025 |
| Interview window (short-listed candidates) | Aug – Oct 2025 |
| Final award notifications | From Nov 2025 |
| Scholars arrive in Pretoria | Jan 2026 orientation |
5. Step-by-step application guide
- Apply to UP first
Complete the online form at https://upnet.up.ac.za/upapply/signon.html and upload academic transcripts. - Download the correct MCFSP form
- Complete the form offline — save it as a single PDF together with every supporting document (see checklist below).
- Email the bundle to [email protected] before midnight 30 June 2025.
- Wait for screening — if you do not hear back, assume the application was unsuccessful.
- Attend an interview (virtual or in-person) if invited.
- Sign the bursary agreement and arrange residence accommodation once selected.
6. Documents checklist (combine into one PDF)
- UP provisional admission letter.
- Academic records (school results for UG; full transcript for PG).
- Certified ID/passport for applicant, parents/guardians & siblings.
- Proof of household income (recent payslips, pension slips or affidavit if unemployed).
- Death certificates or divorce decree where applicable.
- Court guardianship order (if relevant).
- Proof of disability (doctor’s report) for applicants requesting disability consideration.
- Refugee/Section 24 permit for displaced applicants in South Africa.
Omitting or falsifying any item immediately disqualifies the application.
Securing a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at UP is competitive but life-changing. Start early: secure admission, polish your essays, gather financial documents and line up referees long before the 30 June 2025 deadline. If you are passionate about uplifting your community and have the grades to match, this program could be the launchpad for your leadership journey.
Learn More About The Scholarship
.
.
For more related scholarship alerts like this Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Pretoria, join us on Telegram