Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford 2025

Fully Funded

Deadline: 1st December 2025

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October 23, 2024
5:53 am

Call for Application Mastercard Foundation Scholars the University of Oxford

The University of Oxford and the Mastercard Foundation have an innovative and ambitious partnership under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx). The partnership is set to provide 400 young African scholars with a fully-funded opportunity to pursue taught Masters degrees in programmes related to pandemic preparedness and recovery at the University of Oxford.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford supports passionate, locally rooted and globally minded African young people to undertake graduate studies at the University of Oxford. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford is grounded in the Mastercard Foundation and AfOx shared values of collegiality, empathy, commitment, inclusion and community. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford is part of the broader AfOx Graduate Scholars Program, which aims to support African students to access opportunities at Oxford and to thrive both during and after their time at the University.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford funds a rigorous one-year taught Master’s course at Oxford aimed at equipping the Scholars with relevant technical, entrepreneurial and leadership skills and connecting them to world-leading resources in their respective sectors. Key elements of the scholarship programme include adequate support and preparation for students to take up their studies, intensive emphasis on life skills beyond academia and support for a lifelong network of alumni. Each Scholar will benefit from the highest calibre training in specific disciplines critical to solving pressing problems, including food systems, health sciences, sustainable water and energy systems, governance and public policy, and entrepreneurship, among others. Their programs will centre the four AfOx themes relevant to Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals: Healthy People, Integrated Societies, Green Futures, and Innovation for Prosperity.

An important and innovative aspect of the program is the “Ubuntu period of service” undertaken upon completion of the Master’s degree. During this second year of the Program, the Scholars will be supported and encouraged to design and deliver impactful projects based on African organisations, which could include launching start-ups and working in multinational development agencies, governments, NGOs or research institutions.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford specifically emphasises groups who have historically been under-represented, including but not limited to female scholars, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds and scholars with accessibility needs.

Eligibility

Eligible offer holders will be automatically considered and contacted by Student Fees and Funding via email. Eligible candidates will be invited to demonstrate how they meet the following selection criteria. In awarding the Scholarships the panel looks at four areas:

Academic merit and potential
Leadership experience and capacity development
Alignment with AfOx values and themes
Commitment to Africa’s development. To be considered for this scholarship you must submit your application for graduate study by the relevant December/January deadline for your course.

Benefits

This full-cost scholarship is available to Master’s students, covering tuition fees and living expenses for international students.

The scholarship also provides logistics support, including an economy return flight, visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees, settling down allowance, and access to a Thrive Fund for emergencies.

The first year includes a rigorous academic Master’s course at Oxford and a Leadership and Impact Programme, which support the scholars in developing collaborative leadership qualities needed to build cross-sector, interdisciplinary solutions to address complex social and environmental problems.

Eligible Regions: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Application Process

(a) To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford, submit your application for graduate study to the University of Oxford via the graduate admissions portal by the main December/January funding deadline for your chosen course of study. Please read the Application Guide in detail ahead of making the application. We strongly recommend you submit your application form and all of your supporting documents at least a week before the December/January for your course.

(b) Eligible candidates will be then invited to a virtual interview for the AfOx Graduate Scholarship Program.

For Further Queries: If you have a question you would like to ask, including admission queries, please use their official QA section on their website.

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