The University of the Western Cape (UWC) partners with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to empower young individuals to become future leaders. Launched in 2012, this global initiative aims to support highly talented and service-oriented young people, with a focus on young Africans, in pursuing higher education and honing their leadership skills.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is dedicated to breaking down barriers to higher education, particularly for young women, refugees, displaced youth, and individuals with disabilities. At UWC, the program targets academically gifted youth from South Africa and other parts of Africa, providing them with the tools and education needed to drive positive change in their communities and countries.
Check Also:Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board Recruitment Exercise
For the upcoming academic year, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC will offer fully-funded opportunities for young scholars to pursue undergraduate or master’s degree qualifications. The program is committed to supporting individuals in specific disciplines/fields of study to help them reach their full potential and make a difference in the world.
Applications are restricted to the following disciplines/fields of study:
Undergraduate Qualification
- Arts and 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)
Postgraduate Qualification: Master’s Degree
- Art & Humanities (Applied Linguistics, History, Gender Justice, Migration Studies, Sociology for Development)
- Community & Health Sciences (Public Health)
- Economic & Management Sciences (Development Studies, Information Sciences)
- Law (Governance and Human Rights)
- Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences)
Eligibility Requirements
Undergraduate Studies:
- Be no older than 26 years for the undergraduate studies;
- Meet the University’s minimum admissions requirements (for program/discipline-specific information, visit www.uwc.ac.za) and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2026;
- International applicants must apply for exemption through Universities South Africa (USAf) to determine if they meet South Africa’s minimum higher education admission requirements. (For exemption applications and additional information, please visit https://usaf.ac.za/facilitating-entry-to-sa-universities/).
- Be prepared to register for full-time undergraduate study in January 2026;
- Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
Benefits
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.
Also See:Nigerian Government Youth Forex Training Program ( Free Training for 10,000 Nigerians Annually)
Application Process
Step 1: Apply for admission to study at UWC
Applicants intending to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC must first submit an academic application to study at UWC for the 2026 academic year. To apply, please use the following link: admission-and-financial-aid/apply. Take note of the application closing dates for the desired programme/discipline.
Only applicants who have successfully submitted their academic application and obtained a UWC application number are eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC, as a UWC application number is required to complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
Step 2: Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC
Once you have successfully submitted your application to study at UWC, apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program by completing the online application
