The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is an implementing partner of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Initiated in 2012, the Program is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily young Africans, to pursue their higher education and cultivate their leadership potential.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is specifically targeted towards young people whose access to higher education is impeded by economic and social barriers. The Program places a particular emphasis on reaching young women, refugees and forcibly displaced youth, and young people living with disabilities, who are encouraged to apply.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC supports academically talented youth from South Africa and other parts of the African continent. For the 2025 Academic Year, the Program at UWC will provide fully-funded opportunities for young Mastercard Foundation Scholars to study for i) undergraduate qualifications or ii) master’s degree qualifications.
University of the Western Cape Information
Founded in 1959, University of the Western Cape is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Bellville (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Western Cape. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. University of the Western Cape (UWC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 60 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 50-60% making this South African higher education organization a averagely selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Fields of Study
- Arts & Humanities (Applied Linguistics, History, Gender Justice, Migration Studies, Sociology for Development);
- Community & Health Sciences (Public Health);
- Economic & Management Sciences (Development Studies, Information Sciences and Migration Studies);
- Law (Governance and Human Rights);
- Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
2. Eligibility
At the time of application, an applicant must satisfy the following four criteria:
- Be no older than 30 years for the master’s degree studies;
- Meet the University's minimum admissions requirements (for program/discipline-specific information, visit www.uwc.ac.za) and must have applied for academic admission to the University for 2025;
- Be prepared to begin their first year of registration for full-time master’s degree study in January 2025;
- Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
Offered Benefits
In addition to providing support for tuition fees, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC provides a range of specialised resources to support Mastercard Foundation Scholars to facilitate their transition into dignified and fulfilling work. In particular, Mastercard Foundation Scholars will be provided with:
- Pre-arrival support and an official on-boarding welcome programme;
- Housing in a UWC residence on campus;
- Personalised support throughout their studies, ensuring that every Mastercard Foundation Scholar has the best possible experience at UWC;
- A monthly stipend and meal allowance;
- Medical aid;
- Laptop;
- Study materials allowance; and
- Holistic wrap around support programmes.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars are required to sign a scholarship agreement once they are accepted and enrolled onto the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
- The Program will only fund Mastercard Foundation Scholars taking up full time studies at UWC - for 2 years – masters degrees,– undergraduate degrees, for the minimum duration of study.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars will not be permitted to hold another UWC scholarship / internal bursary concurrently with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. If you are the recipient of an external partial bursary the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will complement the scholarship where deemed necessary. A Mastercard Foundation Scholar cannot hold the Mastercard Foundation award in addition to another full cost bursary/scholarship.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars participate in wrap around support programmes (WASP) that are geared towards personal, academic and professional development including community – engaged learning, leadership development and entrepreneurship training to prepare Mastercard Foundation Scholars for the world of work. Participation in WASP, is compulsory for all Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
- Masters degree Mastercard Foundation Scholars who intend to take up a work-study program in the university are only allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per month.
Application Process
Use the link(s) below to apply on organisation website.
- Masters Scholarship - https://form.jotform.com/241694102392555
- Undergraduate Scholarship - https://form.jotform.com/241694102392555
Step 1: Apply for admission to study at UWC
- Applicants intending to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC must first submit an academic application to study at UWC for the 2025 academic year. To apply, please use the following link: admission-and-financial-aid/apply. Take note of the application closing dates for the desired programme /discipline.
- Only applicants who have successfully submitted their academic application and obtained a UWC application number are eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC, as a UWC application number is required to complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
Step 2: Apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Once you have successfully submitted your application to study at UWC, apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program by completing the online application available via study/partnerships/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program.
Required Documents:
- A completed application should include the following in PDF format:
A cover letter (saved with the name: Initial.Surname_Cover_Letter) stating the following:
a) Personal background including family financial position.
b) Why you chose UWC.
c) Where you see yourself after graduation.
- Copies of your academic records (saved as in the above example: Academic Records). Applicants must submit copies of all academic records such as high school certificate/s and certified copies of all university-awarded degree/s.
- A letter of recommendation (saved as above: Recommendation Letter) from your supervisor or head of department/school. The letter must be current, official, and signed
- One recent passport size photograph (Photograph).
- A certified copy of your national identity document or passport (saved as above: Identity Document or Passport), including, where applicable, the visa page and/or refugee/asylum seeker permit.
Founded in 1959, University of the Western Cape is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Bellville (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Western Cape. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. University of the Western Cape (UWC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 60 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 50-60% making this South African higher education organization a averagely selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.