DEADLINE: 8 November 2024
Climate Leadership Program
All Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the University of Edinburgh will participate in a Climate Leadership Programme. The aim of the programme is to enable scholars to fulfil their potential and lead transformative change relating to sustainability and the climate crisis, particularly in their home countries. Through Africa-based climate justice summer schools, climate-oriented placements, regular workshops and entrepreneurial pathways the programme will support scholars to transition into climate leadership positions. Through these activities, scholars will gain skills, knowledge, experience, networks, and the capacity for self-reflection.
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
Covers full approved tuition fees: scholars will not pay for any part of the tuition fees.
Academic stipend to allow for access to high-quality internet, and laptop.
The opportunity to attend an in-person gathering.
Participation in activities as part of the wider Scholars Program climate leadership programme at the University of Edinburgh, including regular online workshops, online coaching and support.
A dedicated Online Coordinator
Additional support is offered to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs.
ON CAMPUS LEARNING PROGRAMS
This is a one-year postgraduate on-campus scholarship for the following programmes ONLY:
MSc Africa and International Development
MSc Food Security
MSc Sustainable Energy Systems
MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation
MSc Data, Inequality and Society
MSc Operational Research
MSc Environmental Sustainability
MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment
MSc Planetary Health
MSc Environment & Development
The scholarship for on campus learning:
Covers full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, living cost stipend and study materials.
A climate leadership programme to inspire and support Scholars in making change in their communities and countries.
Additional support is offered to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs.
ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAMS
Online studies are an excellent way to earn a qualification for those who would like to continue working and prefer to study in their local context (for example, to be closer to their families). Online qualifications through the University of Edinburgh are equivalent to degrees taught on campus.
Applicants can apply for either:
Online Masters (part-time over 3 years): Masters programmes normally aim at those who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to develop more specialised knowledge in the same subject or similar career area. Applicants who already have a postgraduate qualification are not able to apply for this scholarship. The scholarship is designed to cover three years of part-time online study.
Online Post-graduate Diploma (part-time over 2 years): Postgraduate diplomas are aimed at those who are considering a potential change in their careers and tend to be more vocational. Candidates with either an undergraduate or Master’s degree from a Sub-Saharan African university are equally able to apply (provided they will graduate from either degree and provide their degree certificates and transcripts by 7 December.) The scholarship is designed to cover two years of part-time online study.
The eligible programs for online learning are:
MSc International Development
MSc Global Food Security and Nutrition (masters & diploma)
MSc Global Challenges (masters & diploma)
MSc Carbon Management
MSc One Health (masters and diploma)
MSc Circular Economy (masters & diploma)
MSc Sustainable Lands and Cities (masters & diploma)
MSc Social Justice and Community and Action (masters & diploma)
HOW TO APPLY
If you are only applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship please apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program first, only once you have received a scholarship offer should you apply to any of the above programmes through the University of Edinburgh admissions process. Only in the case of applying for other scholarships should you consider applying to the university first.
You must meet the eligibility criteria to apply:
Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed. You will generally need to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher
Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health related).
Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 8 November 2024.
Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.
Applicants must have faced barriers to education and early career
Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.
Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis
Applicants must be 35 or under. Therefore, for the 2025/26 academic year, we accept applications from those born on or after 1 January 1990
Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.
If applying for the online Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.
If applying for the online Postgraduate Diploma: Applicants can either have an undergraduate or Master’s degree from a Sub-Saharan African university (provided they will graduate from either degree by 8 November 2024). If you have a Master’s degree, our admissions team will review your first degree (undergraduate) to meet the postgraduate diploma entry requirement. The Scholars Program will review your Master’s degree transcripts to confirm your university’s graduation date and location.
They particularly welcome applications from female scholars, scholars from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and scholars with disabilities