UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Open for 2027 Health Intake

For healthcare workers across Africa facing socio-economic barriers to advanced study, the UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers a premier, fully funded route to postgraduate qualification. Hosted at the University of Cape Town—South Africa’s leading research-intensive institution—the 2027 intake explicitly includes postgraduate diplomas offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences. Unlike many international awards that prioritize lengthy research dissertations, this scholarship actively funds practical, coursework-driven qualifications, making it ideal for working clinicians, public health officers, and nurses seeking immediate, job-relevant skills.

Call for Applications Overview

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town (2027 Intake)

• Funding Bodies: The Mastercard Foundation in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT).

• Target Candidates: Academically talented young African citizens (including South Africans) who face significant financial or social barriers and demonstrate ethical leadership potential and community commitment.

• Eligible Study Routes:

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences: Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDips) in specialized clinical and public health fields.

  2. All Six UCT Faculties: First Bachelor’s degrees, Honours degrees, and Coursework Master’s degrees (Commerce, Engineering & Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science).

• Eligibility & Hard Requirements:

  • Citizenship: Must hold citizenship in an African country.

  • Academic Base: Must hold a live academic application or admission offer for an eligible taught/coursework program at UCT for the 2027 intake.

  • Exclusions: Part-time studies, Master’s degrees by dissertation/research only, and all PhD programs are strictly excluded.

• Scholarship Value & Coverage:

  • Full university tuition fees for the duration of the qualification.

  • On-campus accommodation and comprehensive meal allowance/living stipend.

  • Laptop allowance, prescribed textbooks, medical aid cover, study visa costs, and annual return economy flights.

  • Tailored academic mentoring, career development, internships, and transformative leadership training.

• Key Deadlines & Application Protocols:

  • Postgraduate Deadline: 31 October 2026 .

  • Undergraduate Deadline Caveat: While the scholarship portal lists 30 September 2026 for undergraduates, UCT’s general undergraduate academic admission portal for 2027 is already closed. New undergraduate applicants cannot utilize this route unless they already submitted a UCT academic application.

  • Official Application LINK :

Strategic Implementation Insights

The UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program operates as a two-tier application process: applicants must first apply directly to UCT for academic admission and secure a student/applicant reference number before submitting the scholarship application. When writing your personal essay, avoid vague generalities about financial hardship. Reviewers look for clear, transparent accounts of socioeconomic barriers alongside a concrete plan for community give-back upon graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a research-based Master’s degree or a PhD under this scholarship?

No. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT explicitly excludes research-only Master’s dissertations and PhD studies. Only taught coursework Master’s programs, Honours degrees, and Faculty of Health Sciences Postgraduate Diplomas are eligible.

Is the scholarship open to applicants who can self-fund their studies?

No. The program is specifically intended for academically gifted candidates whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent them from attending higher education. Demonstrable economic need is a mandatory evaluation criterion.