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Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 (UCT)
University of Cape Town
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 (UCT) is scholarship offered by University of Cape Town to South African students studying towards qualifications in commerce, engineering, built environment, with study or placement linked to Western Cape. Applications for the current cycle close on 30 Sep 2026, so read the criteria carefully before you start.
Scholarships at the University of Cape Town for young Africans; undergraduate applications close 30 September 2026 and eligible postgraduate applications close 31 October 2026.
The sections below set out who qualifies, what the award covers, which documents you need to prepare and where to submit your application. Every detail is taken from the funder's own published information, and the apply link sends you straight to their official page rather than to a third-party form.
Editor's strategy corner
Engineering funders often place graduates where projects are. If you are willing to relocate or work at remote sites, say so clearly in your application, it is a real advantage.
Closing date
30 Sep 2026
Provinces
Western Cape
Application status
Open
Last verified
3 Sep 2026
Study levels
Undergraduate, Honours, Masters
Citizenship
African countries, including South Africa
Institutions
Any accredited SA institution
Verified by our editorial team· last checked 3 Sep 2026
Applications for this cycle are closed. The details below are kept for reference so you can prepare for the next intake.
Our assessment of this opportunity
University of Cape Town is funding a scarce-skills field, which usually means a large applicant pool and marks-driven shortlisting. In our experience, applicants who submit early with a certified latest results statement and a clear career link to the funder's operations get further than those relying on the motivation letter alone.
Our advice is to submit at least a week before the closing date. Funder portals often slow down in the final days, and certified copies can take longer than expected.
Written by the SA Bursary Hub Editorial Team based on the funder's published criteria and our experience reviewing South African funding programmes.
About this bursary
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town supports academically talented young Africans studying towards a first bachelor's degree, an eligible postgraduate diploma, honours or a coursework master's at UCT, across commerce, engineering and the built environment, health sciences, humanities, law and science. UCT's official application page states that Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applications close on 30 September 2026 for undergraduate applicants and 31 October 2026 for eligible postgraduate applicants. Note that UCT admission applications for undergraduate study are a separate process with their own deadlines, and UCT states that undergraduate admission applications have closed - applicants who have already applied for a UCT bachelor's degree may still apply to the Scholars Program if they meet its requirements. Scholars also receive support and developmental opportunities such as mentoring and leadership development, as described by UCT.
Eligibility
Academically talented young Africans, including South Africans, applying for or already applying to an eligible UCT programme. The full eligibility criteria are published on UCT's official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program pages.
Benefits
Scholarship support for study at UCT, together with mentoring, leadership and other developmental opportunities described on UCT's official programme pages.
How to apply
Apply through the official UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application page linked here. Undergraduate applications close 30 September 2026; eligible postgraduate applications close 31 October 2026.
Fields of study
Browse more in Engineering, Medicine & Health Sciences, Law, Science, Business & Management.
Qualification levels
Contact
University of Cape Town handles enquiries directly, use the official application page above to get in touch.
Official source and what we could not confirm
Everything above comes from University of Cape Town's own published material. SA Bursary Hub is an independent information site: we do not award this funding and applications are submitted only through the official channel below.
- Official application page: https://uct.ac.za/mastercardfdn/apply-mastercard-foundation-scholars-program
- Organisation website: https://www.uct.ac.za
- Details last checked against that source on 3 Sep 2026.
Not published by the funder at the time of checking, so we have not shown it: the exact value of the award, a document checklist, a public contact email address. We do not estimate missing details, ask the funder directly if you need them.
Requirements and dates can change during the year, so confirm the full criteria and closing date on the official page before you submit.
SA Bursary Hub editorial team
This listing was written by a person and checked against the funder's own published material before it went live. Last reviewed 3 Oct 2026. How we verify information.
Plan your application
Use this checklist with the verified details above. The official University of Cape Town application page remains the final source for criteria, documents and dates.
Check your fit first
- Your registered or intended course appears within the listed fields: commerce, engineering, built environment, health sciences, humanities, law, science. Confirm the exact course name on the official page.
- Your study level matches one of the listed levels: Undergraduate, Honours, Masters.
- You meet the listed location requirement: Western Cape.
Prepare the requested evidence
The listing does not contain a verified document list. Read the official application instructions before collecting or uploading personal documents.
Work backwards from the deadline
Allow time to correct missing documents or failed uploads. Save the submission confirmation and reference number after applying.
Confirm before you submit
- The web address belongs to University of Cape Town or its named application provider.
- The bursary title, closing date and intake year match this listing.
- You understand what is funded and any conditions attached to an award.
- You never pay a person who promises to secure or prioritise an application.