38 MCF Questions — Answered Directly

No. The Mastercard Foundation does not run applications directly. It funds 62 partner universities and organisations, each of which runs its own independent programme with its own application system, deadlines, and requirements. "Applying for the MCF scholarship" means choosing a specific partner university and applying through that university's process.

Across all partners combined, thousands of scholarships are awarded each year — the Foundation reports more than 58,000 scholarships committed since 2012 and aims for 100,000 by 2030. Individual partners publish different figures: Makerere advertised 245 undergraduate and 13 master’s scholarships for 2026/2027, Cambridge’s 2026/27 cohort has 69 scholars, Edinburgh plans 850 over 2023–2030 (about 120 a year), Oxford 400 in total, and Berkeley 201 over ten years (about 20 a year). Competition at each partner is intense — especially at Western universities.

Partners do not publish acceptance rates. The numbers give a sense of scale: Berkeley plans about 20 master’s scholars a year for applicants from the whole continent, so places at Western partners like Berkeley, Cambridge, Oxford and Sciences Po are very scarce. African university partners such as Makerere fund many more scholars each year, which makes them more accessible, though still competitive. Choose partners where your profile genuinely fits.

Yes, at all partners. Fully funded means tuition, accommodation, stipend, return travel, visa fees, and health insurance. Some partners also cover laptops, settling-in allowances, and emergency funds. The one consistent exclusion across all partners: family members and dependents are not covered.

Never. The Foundation does not charge application fees or ask individuals for payment. Some partner universities charge their normal admission fee; if so, the Foundation reimburses it if you are selected as a scholar. Any website, individual, or message asking you to pay for an "MCF application" is a scam — the Foundation has issued multiple official scam alerts about fake portals, Facebook posts and fake agents.

It depends entirely on the partner. For 2027 entry, Cambridge opened in September 2026, Edinburgh opens on 13 October 2026 (after a mandatory information session in September), Sciences Po takes fee waiver requests from October to mid-December 2026, and Berkeley’s master’s applications run from September to early January. McGill runs earlier: its Fall 2027 pre-screening has already closed. African partners vary widely — UCT’s 2027 undergraduate deadline was 30 September 2026, while Makerere’s last call closed in June 2026. There is no single date because there is no single application.

For master’s programmes — which are fixed duration — the award covers the full degree. For undergraduate programmes, partners usually expect satisfactory academic progress and programme participation for the scholarship to continue each year. Check your partner’s continuation rules.

Yes. The Foundation confirms you can apply to as many partner universities as you wish in the same cycle. This is actually advisable — different partners have different focuses and acceptance rates. Apply to partners that genuinely fit your profile, and remember each application package takes real effort.

Not always. The Foundation leaves the country scope to each partner. Many partners take applicants from the whole continent — McGill lists all 54 African countries, and Cambridge, Berkeley and Sciences Po ask for citizenship of an African country. Some partners still recruit from Sub-Saharan Africa only, such as the University of Toronto and Makerere. If you are from North Africa, check your partner’s eligibility page before you apply.

Yes. Nigeria is an eligible country. However, specific partner universities may have their own geographic focuses. Check each partner's current eligibility page.

At most Western partner universities, no. Berkeley and McGill exclude anyone with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK or EU. Sciences Po excludes any second citizenship from outside Africa. Edinburgh asks you to be a resident and citizen of an African country, or to hold refugee status there. At African partner universities, policies may differ. Check each partner’s specific eligibility page.

At many partners, yes — if you are a citizen of an African country and your US presence is temporary (student visa, work visa, not permanent residency or citizenship). Cambridge specifically states: "You can apply if you're temporarily living outside of Africa for study or work." Check carefully, though: McGill currently requires applicants to be a citizen of and live in an African country.

There is no published income threshold. The assessment is holistic and qualitative. The key framing: your financial situation has "prevented or restricted your educational opportunities." You need to document this with evidence — not just state it. Tax returns, payslips, grant letters, school fee waivers, and similar documents all support the claim.

Most partners have age limits. USIU-Africa: 29, or 32 for refugees, displaced youth and youth with disabilities. Makerere: 28 for undergraduates and 35 for master’s, or 32 and 40 for refugees, IDPs and persons with disabilities. McGill and AUB master’s scholarships: 35 or younger. Sciences Po: under 35 on 1 September of the application year. Edinburgh 2027/28: born on or after 1 January 1992. Check each partner’s page for current requirements.

Yes — and many partners name refugees as a priority group. Makerere reserves at least 25% of its scholarships for refugees and internally displaced persons, and Makerere and USIU-Africa raise their age limits for refugees. Residency rules differ: Edinburgh accepts refugee status in an African country, and AUB’s on-campus master’s also takes refugees living in Lebanon. At Sciences Po, UNHCR refugee status is one route to eligibility. Answer "YES" to any question about displacement status.

At most partners, no — the Foundation's own FAQ says its scholarships cover the secondary, undergraduate and master's levels. The American University of Beirut (AUB) is the exception: its MCF graduate page lists PhD scholarships for citizens of African countries and refugees living on the continent. If doctoral study is your goal, AUB is your primary option within the MCF network.

At most partners, no. Sciences Po explicitly states you cannot apply if already enrolled at Sciences Po. McGill requires that you have never registered for, nor completed, a master's. Check the specific partner's rules — policies on continuing enrolment vary.

Yes, at Edinburgh, which has a specific online MCF programme for working professionals who cannot relocate, and at AUB, which offers MCF scholarships for five online master's programmes. Other partners are for on-campus study only.

Because it does not exist. See question 1. Go to the specific partner university's website and look for their MCFSP page.

The baseline includes: academic transcripts, CV, two or three reference letters, personal statement or essays, proof of financial need (tax returns, payslips, grant letters), passport or national ID, and any partner-specific requirements such as GMAT, GRE, language test scores, or supplementary statements. Check the specific partner for their exact list.

Yes. Re-application is permitted at most partners. Use the rejection to strengthen what was weak — sharper essays, stronger references, more specific plans.

It depends on the partner model. At Berkeley (Model A), you apply for university admission first and your department nominates you for the scholarship. At McGill, Edinburgh and Sciences Po (Model B), the scholarship screening comes first — at Edinburgh you only apply for the degree once you have a scholarship offer. At Cambridge (Model C), it is a single integrated application. At African partners (Model D), the scholarship and admissions processes run in parallel or together. Note that admission alone never guarantees a scholarship.

Letters from professors or supervisors who know the quality of your academic or professional work — not character references. The best references describe specific work, specific results, and why you are specifically suited to both the programme and the scholarship's mission. Brief your referees explicitly — tell them what to emphasise.

With documentation. Commonly used: income tax returns, payslips, social grant letters and university financial aid letters. Each partner sets its own document list, so check your specific partner’s requirements before you gather papers.

Varies by partner. Berkeley: late March or early April. Cambridge: scholarships are offered in March or April. Edinburgh: scholarship offers in March 2027, with interview outcomes at the end of March. Sciences Po has not yet published its 2027 timeline. African partners: often alongside admissions decisions.

Typically no. Most partners do not provide individualised feedback. If you are rejected, review your application against the five attributes, seek feedback from mentors or advisors, and improve specific elements before reapplying.

No. Edinburgh's FAQ is explicit: "The Programme only covers costs for an individual." This is true at all partners. Your spouse, children, and dependents are your own responsibility. This is the most cited source of financial stress among scholars.

At USIU-Africa, a laptop is part of the package, and several other partners, such as the University of Rwanda, list one too. Edinburgh’s online scholars get an academic stipend for a laptop and good internet. At other partners it is not always stated — check the specific partner page.

Yes, at UK partners — Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh — and at most international partners. Confirm with your specific partner.

Oxford has a named "Thrive Fund" for this. Other partners have similar provisions under different names. The psychosocial support infrastructure is partly designed to help scholars navigate financial and personal crises that arise during study.

Check with your specific partner. Some MCF partnerships explicitly prohibit receipt of other scholarships simultaneously. Others allow partial awards from other sources. Do not assume — ask.

No. There is no legal contract, surety bond, or financial penalty associated with not returning. However, the programme explicitly selects for candidates who will return, the curriculum includes structured service in African organisations, and selecting into this programme without intending to contribute to Africa's development is at odds with what the scholarship exists to do.

No. Working in any African country on issues related to your field qualifies. An Ethiopian who takes a role at the African Development Bank in Abidjan is giving back to Africa.

A 4 to 6 month formal service placement in an African organisation, conducted as part of Year 2 of the Oxford scholarship. It is a structural requirement of the Oxford MCFSP, not an optional activity. Costs are covered.

The Foundation does not publish retention data. From what alumni networks indicate: African partner scholars — Makerere, KNUST, UCT, etc. — naturally stay in Africa. International partner scholars vary: some return immediately, some complete optional practical training in the study country, some enter development organisations based in Western capitals. Berkeley's FAQ acknowledges that working on African development from any location counts as giving back.

Common paths: government and public sector roles in home countries, positions at international development organisations (World Bank, UN agencies, African Development Bank), social enterprise and entrepreneurship, academic and research careers at African universities, and roles within AKDN and similar development networks. The MCF alumni network and the Baobab Platform are specifically designed to support career transitions into these roles.

Yes. Founding a social enterprise or business in Africa that addresses development challenges is entirely compatible with the give-back commitment. Several alumni have done exactly this, particularly Ashesi and ALU graduates.

If you are genuinely planning to build your career in Africa's development context, yes — it is one of the best-funded postgraduate opportunities available to African students. If your plan is to use the scholarship to access a Western country for permanent settlement, no — the scholarship is designed to prevent that outcome, and applying under false pretences is not worth it practically or ethically.