About us
In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the University of Edinburgh will provide 200 full scholarships to students from Africa with great academic and leadership potential but few educational opportunities.
On top of the scholarship, the Scholars Program facilitates transformative leadership programming to inspire and support Scholars in making change in their communities and countries on their return home.
The Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a growing initiative with a vision of supporting 100,000 scholarships across its partner institutions by 2030. Bringing together young people, universities, NGOs and other higher education stakeholders, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will enable young people to attain inclusive and relevant education, transition into dignified and fulfilling work, and lead transformative lives.
The Mastercard Foundation and the University of Edinburgh have been working in partnership since 2016.
Visit the Mastercard Foundation website:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh
Globally we face two interrelated challenges: delivering a decent standard of living and fulfilling jobs for everyone, while living within our environmental limits. In many African countries, these challenges often take place in a distinctive context: historic and present contributions to the climate crisis are far lower than elsewhere, and yet vulnerability to climate change is far higher. The global climate agenda creates opportunities for Africa, however, to carve out distinctive development pathways and create fulfilling work that steers a sustainable and productive path for the African continent.
In response to the climate crisis the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh will invest in a community of skilled, entrepreneurial, and compassionate future leaders from across Africa. Through the Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh we will offer talented young people an exciting array of high-quality, sustainability-focused postgraduate learning opportunities, equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and networks to promote sustainable transitions.
The programme will help deliver systems change through a range of interdisciplinary, sustainability-related Masters degrees and diplomas, and Transformative Leadership learning opportunities through summer schools, placements and internships, and onward transition support. As well as funding and leadership curriculum support, Mastercard Foundation scholars will also receive other wraparound support such as pastoral support and in their transition out of studies.
We want to support the next generation of African leaders and entrepreneurs who will pave the way towards a just transition for the African continent. We welcome applications from, in particular, young women, young people with disabilities, and young people with refugee and displaced status
Find out more information on criteria and how apply for online studies (MSc & PG diploma)
For out more information on criteria and how to apply for on-campus studies
Contact us
If you are interested in any aspect of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh, please contact us by email: mcfsp@ed.ac.uk
Meet the team
Charlie Bevan, Program Director
"It's a real privilege to work with and support such an inspiring group of students and to see them making an impact here in Edinburgh and across the world."
Charlie is responsible for the program direction, development, impact and innovation for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh.
Pete Kingsley, Student Development Coordinator
"Edinburgh is a wonderful place to live and study, and I love welcoming Scholars to the city and the University, and helping them realise their full potential whilst they are here."
Pete is responsible for the delivery of the student development activities and pastoral care of the Scholars.
Sharon Boateng, Program Manager
"It's a real privilege to work with and support such an inspiring group of students and to see them making an impact here in Edinburgh and across the world."
Sharon is responsible for the delivery of the Scholars Program, managing the team, and reporting to the Foundation.
Inga Ackermann, Online Learning and Leadership Coordinator
Inga leads and delivers the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program student development activities with a special focus on online learning scholars and digital components of the program. Inga runs workshops and builds community online across the program, providing pastoral support for online students, and coordinating face-to-face experience for scholars.
Karen Pinto-Csaszar, MCF Administrator
Karen assists Scholars and the MCF team with administrative responsibilities, including travel arrangements, financial processes, stipends, events and queries. She also has Student Support experience and is happy to assist with any questions on resources available to you at the University. You can contact Karen on: mcfsp@ed.ac.uk
Faithy Ngaira, MCF Intern
"It is an honour to be a part of a community influencing positive change and addressing inequality. I hope to positively contribute to strengthening the transformative leadership ecosystem for scholars and alumni while connecting with the network of other future leaders who share a common identity."