Mastercard Foundation Scholarships - UCT (South Africa) 2023, an opportunity for young African talent

The Mastercard 2023 Foundation scholarships in partnership withUniversity of Cape Town in South Africa, providing educational opportunities for talented young Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Partnership between the University of Cape Town and the Mastercard Foundation

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has teamed up with the Mastercard Foundation as part of its global scholarship program. This educational program aims to provide talented young people from economically disadvantaged communities in Africa with access to a quality university education. Thanks to this initiative, students benefit from comprehensive financial support and a high-level academic program, enabling them to earn internationally recognized degrees tailored to local needs.

Scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and are renewable each year, subject to satisfactory performance and participation in the program's activities. Successful candidates must commit to returning to their home country and using the skills and knowledge they have acquired to contribute to the social and economic development of their nation.

The vision of the Mastercard Foundation and UCT

The Mastercard Foundation works for a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Guided by its mission to foster learning and financial inclusion for people living in poverty, it is one of the world's largest foundations, working almost exclusively in Africa. Created in 2006 by Mastercard International, the Foundation is based in Toronto, Canada, and operates independently under the governance of its own Board of Directors.

UCT is a world-renowned institution with six campuses across Cape Town. Its vision is to become an inclusive, research-led African university, capable of meeting the challenges of our time through state-of-the-art teaching, research and infrastructure. Committed to transformation, UCT works tirelessly to ensure the institution's sustainability and guarantee excellence in all its areas of activity.

Scholarship benefits and eligibility criteria

The scholarships offered by the Mastercard Foundation program cover all study-related costs, including visa applications, travel expenses, tuition fees, living expenses, medical assistance and accommodation. Students also benefit from academic support and peer mentoring, personal and professional development opportunities, and training in dealing with the challenges faced by university students.

To be eligible, candidates must be academically talented, committed to the value of education and eager to pursue it. They must also face significant financial obstacles to completing their studies, and be committed to giving back to their community by using the skills and knowledge they have acquired. In addition, candidates must be committed to ethical leadership and positive change in their home communities. Eligible regions for this program are African countries.

Application process for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program

To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program, candidates must first enroll at the University of Cape Town to pursue academic studies. After applying to UCT, they will need to visit the UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program website and click on the "APPLY" button to access the online scholarship application form.

Candidates must connect to the "SM Apply using a unique e-mail address and password. To access the post-graduate scholarship application form, they will need to pass the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program eligibility quiz. Applicants will need to provide the contact details of two academic referees who have mentored them at secondary and/or tertiary level. Finally, applicants must fully complete the online scholarship application form to finalize the application process.

Overview of Mastercard Foundation scholarship opportunities

Mastercard Foundation scholarships enable talented young Africans to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Cape Town. Students enrolled in the program benefit from support and development opportunities, including mentoring, leadership development, academic and life skills support, career development and entrepreneurship training. They are also encouraged to participate in projects aimed at improving their community and to take advantage of all the opportunities offered by UCT.

UCT's annual call for applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program takes place between March and July. Interested candidates can apply from March each year.. To find out more about application procedures for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, visit the relevant links on the UCT website.

Please note that application to the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program is separate from academic application to UCT. Potential candidates are invited to submit an application for admission to UCT first, and then apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program.

How to apply for studies and registration at UCT

Applications for undergraduate studies at UCT:

• Step 1 To prepare an academic application to UCT, applicants should refer to various resources for advice. UCT's undergraduate prospectus provides information on courses, how to apply to the university, as well as the support structures available to undergraduates. Detailed information on course offerings and academic prerequisites can be found on the UCT website in the handbooks for each faculty. If you have any questions about applying to UCT, please contact the admissions office of the faculty concerned.
• Step 2 Gather the necessary documents to strengthen your academic application. Applicants are encouraged to consult the relevant faculty handbook for more information and to ensure that each document is scanned and uploaded as a single, legible and clear document.
• Step 3: Apply online for academic studies and registration. Once the application has been submitted, it cannot be modified by the applicant. Applications for student accommodation in a UCT residence are managed by UCT's Student Housing Admissions and Advocacy Service. Applications must be received by September 30.

Additional information for South African and international applicants :

South African undergraduate applicants must apply for UCT's Student Financial Aid and NSFAS scholarship in addition to applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship program at UCT. To apply for this financial aid, candidates must be South African citizens or permanent residents and submit their application by October 30.

International applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT must obtain a study visa to enter South Africa and enroll at UCT. To do this, they will need several documents, including a valid official passport, an application form from the Department of Home Affairs (BI-1738), an official letter from UCT confirming acceptance, and other specific documents.

Applications for postgraduate studies at UCT:

Steps 1 to 3 are similar to those described for undergraduate applications, but applicants should refer to the postgraduate faculty prospectus and handbooks for specific information on course offerings and academic prerequisites. Postgraduate applicants may also be required to submit additional documents and information with their academic application to UCT.

Additional steps for international postgraduate applicants:

As with undergraduate applicants, international postgraduate applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT must obtain a study visa to enter South Africa and enroll at UCT. The documents required are the same as those mentioned above for international undergraduate applicants. Applicants should check with the nearest South African embassy or consulate that these are the only documents required for the visa application, as missions may request additional documents.

Waiting for the results of the academic application :

After submitting their academic application online, applicants must wait for the results of their application. Please note that the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program office at the University of Cape Town does not process academic applications. Applicants can monitor the status of their application online. In the event of desired changes concerning program selection, biographical information or the addition of documents, only the Admissions Office can facilitate these changes.

Registration and arrival at UCT :

Once candidates have been accepted and have received an offer of admission to UCT, they must prepare to register and arrive on campus. Upon registration and arrival at UCT, successful applicants will be required to provide original documents of certified copies submitted during the application phase. International students will not be allowed to pre-register or enroll at UCT without a valid UCT study visa.