The University of Pretoria has announced the opening of the application period for the 2025/26 Mastercard Scholarship at UP for qualified and interested African students who are willing to study in South Africa.
The Mastercard Scholarship at University of Pretoria will cover the full tuition fees, accommodation, meals, laptop, and living stipends of successful candidates for the duration of the Masters programme.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: South Africa
- Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters ScholarshipsÂ
- Eligible Countries: African Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Living Stipends | Laptop | Accommodation | Travel Costs
- Deadline: June 30, 2025
Scholarship Details
The University of Pretoria (UP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation (MCF) is currently offering scholarships for high achieving African students interested in studying at postgraduate levels, commencing in 2025.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) targets academically talented yet economically disadvantaged young people in Africa who will contribute to the transformation of the continent.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Mastercard Scholarship at University of Pretoria, applicants must:
- Be from Africa.
- Come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and demonstrate financial neediness.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and ought to be involved in a giving back project eg. in a community, at school, church etc
- Academic excellence is paramount and students have to maintain a high academic average at all times.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants of the Mastercard Scholarship at University of Pretoria will receive:
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation in a UP residence
- Meals
- Books and printed material
- A modest monthly stipend
- Medical aid
- Travel costs (one return trip for the duration of the study period)
- Cost of one visa application for the duration of the study period.
Available Programs
Below is a list of faculties offering the available programs for this scholarship:
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities for entry into the BPolSci (Political Studies or International Studies only)
- Faculty of Law (Undergraduates: SADC, Post Graduates: All African Countries)
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment & Information Technology (EBIT)
How to Apply
To apply for this scholarship:
- You will have to first apply to secure admission to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the University of Pretoria.
- Submit your application electronically to [email protected] or deliver a printed copy to the Department for Education Innovation’s reception office
- Download and complete the hard copy of the undergraduate application form provided below: undergraduate-application-2025.pdf
- Download and complete the hard copy of the postgraduate application form provided below: postgraduate-application-2025.pdf
- Your application will undergo a review process. You will be notified of the outcome afterward.
- Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.
To begin the scholarship application process, click HERE
To receive more scholarship updates, click HERE
