MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at University of Western Cape

• The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program targets young people who are unable to access higher education due to economic and social barriers. 
• This program specifically targets refugees, forcibly displaced youth, young women, and persons with disabilities. 

Scholarship Overview

• The MasterCard Scholars Program at the University of Western Cape supports academically talented youth from South Africa and the African continent. 
• These youth are equipped with the tools and education they need to impact their communities and countries positively. 

Host School(s)

• University of Western Cape, South Africa

Fields of Study

• Undergraduate Programs:
  • Arts and Humanities 
  • Economic & Management Sciences 
  • Education 
  • Natural Sciences 
• Postgraduate Programs
  • Art & Humanities 
  • Community & Health Sciences 
  • Economic & Management Sciences 
  • Law 
  • Natural Sciences 

What does the scholarship cover?

• Tuition fees
• A monthly stipend and meal allowance
• Medical aid
• Accommodation in a UWC residence on campus
• Personalized study support
• Laptop
• Study materials allowance

How many scholarships are given?

• Not stated

Which countries are targeted?

• Students from South Africa and the African continent. 

Am I Eligible to Apply?

Undergraduate Students should:

• be no older than 26 years at the time of application;
• meet the University’s minimum admissions requirements and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2026;
• be prepared to register for full-time undergraduate study in January 2026;
• apply for exemption through Universities South Africa to determine if they meet South Africa’s minimum higher education admission requirements;
• provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
  

Postgraduate students should:

• be no older than 30 years at the time of application;
• meet the university’s minimum admission requirements;
• must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2026;
• be prepared to begin their first year of registration for full-time master’s degree study in January 2026;
• Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
  

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

• First, apply for admission at UWC for the 2026 academic year. The application link is provided on the website indicated below. 
• Once you have successfully submitted your application and received a UWC application number, you can apply for the scholarship. Note that the application number is required to complete the scholarship form. 
• Next, apply for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC by completing the online application form on the website. 

Required Documents

• Proof of parental income e.g. payslips or social grant letters. 
• A letter of unemployment if no proof of income is available or if the individual is unemployed. 
• A copy of refugee or internally displaced documentation. 
• If no proof of income is available or if unemployed, a letter of unemployment from the Department of Labour must be provided.

Closing Date

• August 31, 2025

How Do I Get More Information?

• Website: University of Western Cape MasterCard Scholars Program