UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027

Key facts

Status: Check with the provider
Provider: Mastercard Foundation
Study level: Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The programme is recruiting master's scholars through fall 2028, according to UC Berkeley's own programme page.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley funds talented young Africans for master’s degrees at one of the world’s top universities, with a focus on leadership and returning to strengthen African communities.

About the UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

For master’s degrees at UC Berkeley.
Full funding for tuition, living costs and travel.
Leadership development and support for returning to Africa.

Eligibility requirements

A young African citizen, including South Africans.
Admitted, or applying, to an eligible Berkeley master’s programme in the first round.
A strong academic record and financial need.
A commitment to giving back to African communities.

How to apply

Read the application process on mcfscholarsprogram.berkeley.edu.
Choose an eligible master’s programme and check its first-round deadline.
Apply for admission and complete any Scholars Program steps before that deadline.

Closing date

Set by each master’s programme’s first-round deadline, mostly in December.

Contact details

Email: mcfs.programinfo@berkeley.edu

See also the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for other partner universities, the Mandela Rhodes scholarship and the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust scholarship.

FAQs

1. Is the UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation scholarship open for 2027? +

Yes, for master's students. UC Berkeley says it will recruit Mastercard Foundation Scholars through the fall of 2028. You must first apply to an eligible Berkeley master's programme by its first-round deadline, which is usually between September and early January.

2. Is it open to undergraduates? +

No. The UC Berkeley programme is for master's degrees only. Other Mastercard Foundation partner universities recruit undergraduates.

3. Who is it for? +

Young Africans, including South Africans, with strong academic records, leadership potential and financial need, who are committed to giving back to their communities.

4. What does it cover? +

Full costs of the master's degree, including tuition, living costs, travel and support services.

5. How are scholars chosen? +

Eligible graduate programmes nominate admitted applicants, who are then considered for the Scholars Program.

6. How do I ask questions? +

Email mcfs.programinfo@berkeley.edu, and direct admission questions to the specific graduate programme.

Update note (checked September 2026): UC Berkeley says it will recruit Mastercard Foundation Scholars through fall 2028, for master’s degrees only. There is no separate scholarship deadline; apply to an eligible Berkeley master’s programme by its own deadline. Source: mcfscholarsprogram.berkeley.edu.

Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.

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About Mastercard Foundation

Private foundation (education and youth employment)

The Mastercard Foundation aims to enable 30 million young people across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. The Mastercard Foundation focuses particularly on young women, refugees and displaced people, and people with disabilities, and concentrates…

Read the full Mastercard Foundation profile →

Address: 250 Yonge Street, Suite 2400, Toronto, ON M5B 2L7, Canada
Website: mastercardfdn.org

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.