Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Mastercard Foundation (through partner universities)
- Where you study
- Varies · Partner universities in Africa, North America, Europe and the Middle East
- Study level
- Bachelor's
- Master's
There is no central application or deadline: each partner university publishes its own dates on its own website.
Why: The programme is for young Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds, which includes Somalis, but each partner university sets its own rules; check the partner you apply to.
Young Africans with academic talent who face financial barriers, including young women, refugees and displaced people and people with disabilities. Each partner university runs its own application and selection.
In short
The Mastercard Foundation offers this fully funded scholarship through partner universities in Africa, North America, Europe and the Middle East. It supports Bachelor's and Master's study; Somali applicants are likely eligible, but each partner sets its own rules.
How competitive
Highly competitive
Many applicants for each partner's places, and admission alone does not guarantee a scholarship.
English requirement
The university decides
Fields of study
Depends on the partner university (secondary, undergraduate and master's levels; no PhD)
What it covers
It is fully funded. Listed support includes tuition, accommodation, books and academic materials, mentoring, counselling, and return airfare; details differ by partner university.
- Tuition feesIncluded
- Living allowanceNot stated
- TravelIncluded
- Health insuranceNot stated
- Visa costsNot stated
- AccommodationIncluded
- FamilyNot stated
Tuition fees, accommodation, books and academic materials, mentoring and counselling and return airfare, as described by the Foundation; details differ by partner university.
Only what the official source states. "Not stated" means we could not confirm it, not that it is excluded.
Who can apply
It is for young Africans with strong academic ability who face financial barriers, including women, refugees and displaced people, and people with disabilities. It supports Bachelor's and Master's study; each partner sets its own eligibility rules.
- Be a young African facing financial barriers.
- Meet the partner university's eligibility rules.
- Apply for a level and field offered by that partner.
- Meet the partner's academic requirements.
- Meet the partner's English requirements, if any.
- Submit documents required by the partner university.
- Academic requirement
- Set by each partner university (usually strong secondary or bachelor's results and proof of financial need).
- Selection
- Each partner university manages the application and the decision; admission to the university does not guarantee selection.
English requirement
The university decides
The scholarship itself does not set an English test requirement. The partner university decides what is needed.
Set by each partner university.
Never assume IELTS is needed. Only the official page and the university you apply to decide.
Documents you will need
- Other documents (see the official page)
Set by the partner university.
How to apply
- 1Use the official website to find a partner university and suitable course.
- 2Check the university's eligibility rules, requirements, and application dates.
- 3Contact the university if you need details about its application.
- 4Prepare the documents listed by that university.
- 5Apply through the partner university by its deadline.
- 6Wait for the university's selection decision; admission alone is not enough.
Prepare well
- Start early because each partner has its own application dates and process.
- Check a partner's rules before spending time or money on an application.
- Prepare a clear explanation of your academic goals and financial need.
- Treat university admission and scholarship selection as separate decisions.
Important notes
- There is no central application or deadline; each partner university sets its own.
- Admission to a partner university does not guarantee a scholarship.
- The programme does not currently offer PhD scholarships.
Official source
ZitTalent explains; the official website decides. Always check the official page before you apply, and apply only there.
Official page last checked 27 September 2026
The explanation was written by AI from the verified facts and the official page, then checked by fixed rules: any amount, date, score or document the source does not state is removed.