Applications are open for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is specifically targeted towards young people whose access to higher education is impeded by economic and social barriers. The Program places a particular emphasis on reaching young women, refugees and forcibly displaced youth, and young people living with disabilities, who are encouraged to apply.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC supports academically talented youth from South Africa and other parts of the African continent. For the 2025 Academic Year, the Program at UWC will provide fully-funded opportunities for young Mastercard Foundation Scholars to study for undergraduate qualifications or master's degree qualifications.
The University of the Western Cape invites applications for a limited number of undergraduate and master's degree awards from qualifying candidates from South Africa and the African continent who are prepared to register for full-time study in 2025.
Fields of Study
Masters Studies
- Arts & Humanities (Applied Linguistics, History, Gender Justice, Migration Studies, Sociology for Development);
- Community & Health Sciences (Public Health);
- Economic & Management Sciences (Development Studies, Information Sciences and Migration Studies);
- Law (Governance and Human Rights);
- Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
Undergraduate Studies
- Arts & Humanities (History, Linguistics, Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies);
- Economic & Management Sciences (Economics, Information Sciences and Public Administration);
- Education (Mathematics and Science, Foundation Phase);
- Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
Benefits of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape
In addition to providing support for tuition fees, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC provides a range of specialised resources to support Mastercard Foundation Scholars to facilitate their transition into dignified and fulfilling work. In particular, Mastercard Foundation Scholars will be provided with:
- Pre-arrival support and an official on-boarding welcome programme;
- Housing in a UWC residence on campus;
- Personalised support throughout their studies, ensuring that every Mastercard Foundation Scholar has the best possible experience at UWC;
- A monthly stipend and meal allowance;
- Medical aid;
- Laptop;
- Study materials allowance; and
- Holistic wrap around support programmes.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape Requirments
Masters
- Be no older than 30 years for the master's degree studies;
- Meet the University's minimum admissions requirements and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2025;
- Be prepared to begin their first year of registration for full-time master's degree study in January 2025;
- Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
Undergraduate
- Be no older than 26 years for the undergraduate studies;
- Meet the University's minimum admissions requirements and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2025;
- Be prepared to register for full-time undergraduate study in January 2025;
- Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
Application Date and Process
Please note the following steps that must be followed:
- As a new student you must first apply to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for admission in 2025 for the degree that you wish to study. Upon application you will receive an Application Number.
- Use the Application Number to complete the Application Form. Click on the link to the application website to access this form.
The method of application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is via the online form submission. The Program does not accept paper-based applications and any exceptions will only be made on a case by case basis. Should you have any queries please contact [email protected]. Please note that no duplicate applications will be accepted.
A selection committee will review all applications and shortlist a set of applicants for interviews. All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed either in person or virtually.
Communication to the selected Scholars will be done by Friday, 15 November 2024.
- A completed application should include the following in PDF format:
A cover letter (saved with the name: Initial.Surname_Cover_Letter) stating the following:
a) Personal background including family financial position.
b) Why you chose UWC.
c) Where you see yourself after graduation.
- Copies of your academic records (saved as in the above example: Academic Records). Applicants must submit copies of all academic records such as high school certificate/s and certified copies of all university-awarded degree/s.
- A letter of recommendation (saved as above: Recommendation Letter) from your supervisor or head of department/school. The letter must be current, official, and signed
- One recent passport size photograph (Photograph).
- A certified copy of your national identity document or passport (saved as above: Identity Document or Passport), including, where applicable, the visa page and/or refugee/asylum seeker permit.
For queries please contact [email protected]
Application Deadline
30 August, 2024
Scholarship Application Portal
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Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape
Apply for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape
