UWC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Bursary 2026 – Closing Date: 30 September 2025 – Apply Now!
Hey future changemakers! Ready to level up your education without the financial stress? We’ve got some awesome news about the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Bursary – it’s fully funded and designed for young African leaders like you!
This incredible bursary, initiated in 2012, is a global initiative by the Mastercard Foundation, with UWC as a key partner. It’s all about empowering the next generation of transformative leaders by helping talented, service-oriented young people, especially those from Africa, get their higher education and develop their leadership potential. Basically, if economic or social barriers are holding you back from university, this program is specifically for you! They put a special emphasis on supporting young women, refugees, forcibly displaced youth, and persons with disabilities – so if that’s you, definitely apply!
For the 2026 academic year, this program at UWC is offering fully-funded opportunities for both undergraduate and master’s degrees. The goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools to create positive change in your communities and countries. Imagine the impact you could make!
Who Can Apply?
The UWC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Bursary supports academically talented youth from South Africa and other parts of the African continent. Here’s a breakdown of the specific fields of study and eligibility requirements:
Undergraduate Qualifications:
- Arts and Humanities (History, Linguistics, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies)
- Economic & Management Sciences (Economics, Information Sciences, Public Administration)
- Education (Mathematics and Science, Foundation Phase)
- Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical, Physical Sciences)
Master’s Degree Qualifications:
- 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, Physical Sciences)
Eligibility Requirements:
For Undergraduate Studies:
- You must be no older than 26 years.
- You need to meet UWC’s minimum admission requirements for your chosen program/discipline. Make sure you’ve already applied for academic admission to UWC for 2026! (Check www.uwc.ac.za for details).
- If you’re an international applicant, you must apply for exemption through Universities South Africa (USAf) to ensure you meet South Africa’s higher education admission requirements. Find more info here: https://usaf.ac.za/facilitating-entry-to-sa-universities/.
- You must be ready to register for full-time undergraduate study in January 2026.
- You need to provide clear evidence that social and economic barriers are impacting your ability to access university studies.
For Master’s Degree Studies:
- You must be no older than 30 years.
- You need to meet UWC’s minimum admission requirements for your chosen program/discipline. Make sure you’ve already applied for academic admission to UWC for 2026! (Check www.uwc.ac.za for details).
- If you’re an international applicant, you must ensure your qualifications meet the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) requirements. For verification, visit https://www.saqa.org.za/.
- You must be ready to begin your first year of registration for full-time master’s degree study in January 2026.
- You need to provide clear evidence that social and economic barriers are impacting your ability to access university studies.
What Does It Cover?
This bursary is truly comprehensive! Beyond just covering your tuition fees, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC provides a whole host of specialized resources to ensure you succeed and transition into meaningful work. Here’s what you can expect:
- Pre-arrival support and an official on-boarding welcome program.
- Housing in a UWC residence on campus.
- Personalized support throughout your studies, ensuring you have the best possible experience at UWC.
- A monthly stipend and meal allowance.
- Medical aid.
- A laptop!
- Study materials allowance.
- Holistic wrap-around support programs.
How to Apply?
Ready to jump in? Here’s your step-by-step guide to applying for the UWC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Bursary:
Step 1: Apply for Admission to Study at UWC
First things first! You MUST submit an academic application to study at UWC for the 2026 academic year. This is super important because you’ll need a UWC application number for the bursary application.
- Apply here: UWC Admissions & Financial Aid Application.
- Don’t forget to check the application closing dates for your specific program/discipline.
- Remember: Only applicants who have successfully submitted their academic application and received a UWC application number are eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Step 2: Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC
Once you’ve successfully applied to UWC and have your application number, it’s time to apply for the bursary itself!
Complete the online application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
For more detailed information and to access the official application portal, visit: UWC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Official Webpage
If this sounds like the right bursary for you, don’t wait — apply now and explore more bursaries on Bursaries Room!
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