The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the most transformative scholarship opportunities available to Nigerian students — not just because of the financial support it provides, but because of the comprehensive network, mentorship, and leadership development that come with it. Unlike most international scholarships that focus purely on academic excellence, the Mastercard Foundation specifically targets young Africans who have faced significant barriers to education and are committed to returning home to create meaningful change. Nigerian students are explicitly named among priority nationalities for several partner institutions. This guide covers how the programme works, where you can apply as a Nigerian, what you receive, and exactly how to apply.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative established by the Mastercard Foundation — one of the largest private foundations in the world — with a mandate to advance education and employment opportunities for young people in Africa and beyond. The programme operates through partnerships with a carefully selected group of universities around the world. Each partner university administers its own scholarship selection process independently, meaning there is no central Mastercard Foundation application portal. You apply through the specific partner institution you wish to attend, and each institution has its own eligibility criteria, deadlines, and application procedures. As of 2026, the Mastercard Foundation has committed to enabling 30 million young Africans to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, and the Scholars Program is one of the flagship mechanisms for achieving this goal.
Key Facts About the Programme
- There is no single application — you apply through a specific Mastercard Foundation partner institution
- Each partner university sets its own eligibility criteria, deadlines, and selection process independently
- Nigeria is explicitly named as a priority nationality at multiple partner institutions, including the University of Edinburgh
- The programme covers undergraduate and Master’s levels — PhD scholarships are not currently available under this programme
- Awards are fully funded and cover tuition, accommodation, living expenses, flights, and additional support
- The programme prioritises students who have faced financial or social barriers to education and who demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to Africa’s development
Partner Institutions Where Nigerians Can Apply
The following Mastercard Foundation partner institutions offer scholarships that are open to Nigerian applicants. Visit the official Mastercard Foundation website at mastercardfdn.org for the most current full list of partner institutions:
University of Edinburgh (UK) — Masters and Online Masters: One of the most relevant Mastercard Foundation partner institutions for Nigerian students. Edinburgh explicitly welcomes applications from Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The programme offers both fully funded on-campus Master’s scholarships and online Master’s scholarships for students who cannot relocate to the UK. The on-campus scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, return flights, and a laptop. The online scholarship covers full tuition for a part-time programme that can be completed from Nigeria. The focus at Edinburgh is on climate justice, sustainability, and community leadership. The 2027–2028 cycle is expected to open in October 2026.
University of Cambridge (UK) — Masters: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge supports outstanding African students to pursue a Master’s degree at one of the world’s greatest universities. Nigerian applicants are eligible. The programme covers full tuition, accommodation, living stipend, and additional support. Apply through the Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program portal at mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk.
Sciences Po (France) — Masters: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po in Paris provides fully funded two-year Master’s scholarships for Sub-Saharan African students — including Nigerians — who face financial barriers. The programme covers full tuition, accommodation, living stipend, health insurance, visa support, and return flights. For the 2027 cycle, applications are expected to open in October 2026.
Carnegie Mellon University Africa (Rwanda) — Masters: CMU-Africa offers Mastercard Foundation scholarships for Master of Science degrees in Information Technology and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Nigerian students can study at CMU-Africa’s campus in Kigali, Rwanda — no need to travel to the United States.
Pan-Atlantic University (Nigeria) — Undergraduate: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos provides fully funded undergraduate scholarships for talented young Nigerians facing financial or socioeconomic barriers. This is one of the most accessible routes for Nigerian secondary school leavers who want Mastercard Foundation support without relocating abroad.
Core Eligibility Requirements
While each partner institution sets its own specific criteria, the following core eligibility principles apply across virtually all Mastercard Foundation scholarship programmes:
- You must be a citizen and resident of a Sub-Saharan African country — Nigerian citizens are fully eligible
- You must demonstrate significant financial need — the scholarship is designed for students who face genuine financial barriers to accessing higher education
- You must have a strong academic record that meets the partner university’s admissions requirements
- You must demonstrate leadership potential and a track record of community service or social impact
- You must have a demonstrated commitment to contributing to Africa’s development after completing your studies
- For most Master’s programmes, you must not have previously completed a postgraduate degree
- For Edinburgh specifically, you must be 35 years of age or under at the time your programme commences
- You must have faced significant barriers to education — social, financial, personal, or health-related
What the Scholarship Covers
Benefits vary by partner institution, but a fully funded Mastercard Foundation scholarship at a major international university typically includes:
- Full tuition fees for the entire duration of your programme — paid directly to the university
- University accommodation or a housing allowance for the full duration of your studies
- A monthly living stipend to cover food, transport, and daily expenses
- Return economy class airfare between Nigeria and your study destination
- Health insurance for the duration of the programme
- A laptop and academic materials allowance
- Mentorship, internship support, and leadership development activities
- Pre-departure orientation and post-programme alumni network access
How to Apply — Step by Step
Step 1: Choose your partner institution. Visit mastercardfdn.org and review the full list of partner institutions. Identify the university or universities whose programmes match your academic background, career goals, and personal circumstances. Pay attention to whether each programme is on-campus, online, or in Africa — this affects whether you need to relocate.
Step 2: Check the eligibility requirements of your chosen institution. Read the specific eligibility criteria published by your chosen partner institution carefully. Criteria vary — Edinburgh has specific age and barrier requirements, Sciences Po has specific country and institution of reference requirements, and CMU-Africa focuses on STEM fields.
Step 3: Apply for scholarship eligibility first at some institutions. At Sciences Po, you must first request eligibility for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship through their scholarship portal before applying for your Master’s degree programme. At Edinburgh, you apply for the scholarship first and if selected, you are then assisted with your university application. At Cambridge, you apply for admission and indicate Mastercard Foundation funding simultaneously. Read each institution’s specific instructions carefully.
Step 4: Prepare your application documents. Standard documents across most Mastercard Foundation applications include your academic transcripts and degree certificates, a personal statement or essay addressing your barriers to education, your leadership record, your development goals, and your commitment to contributing to Africa after your studies, two or three letters of reference, a current CV, and proof of financial need.
Step 5: Submit before the deadline. Each partner institution has its own deadline. Deadlines typically fall between October and February for programmes starting the following September. Check your specific institution’s deadline on their official website and submit well in advance.
Step 6: Prepare for your interview if shortlisted. Most Mastercard Foundation partner institutions conduct interviews as part of their selection process. Prepare to discuss your barriers to education, your leadership experience, your academic goals, and your specific plans to contribute to Nigeria and Africa after completing your studies.
Deadline Information
Deadlines vary by partner institution. The University of Edinburgh’s 2027–2028 Mastercard Foundation scholarship is expected to open in October 2026. Sciences Po’s next cycle is expected to open in October 2026 with a deadline in January 2027. Cambridge deadlines are tied to each course’s graduate admissions deadline. Pan-Atlantic University Abuja opened its 2026 applications in April 2026. Visit the official Mastercard Foundation website at mastercardfdn.org for a complete and current list of partner institutions and their application timelines. Moreschooling will publish updates as each new cycle opens.