University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships 2026/2027

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda is accepting applications for Cohort 5 undergraduate scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The opportunity supports academically qualified African students facing barriers to higher education, with particular attention to young women, refugees and displaced persons, and persons with disabilities. Applicants must first have applied for admission to a first-year undergraduate programme at the University of Rwanda. Official scholarship announcement

Important admission update: Scholarship applications close on 12 October 2026, but the university’s undergraduate admission application period ended on 5 October 2026. You need an existing UR admission application and registration number to begin the scholarship application. If you missed the admission deadline, contact the university’s admissions office to clarify your options. Admission status · Scholarship registration requirements

Scholarship value and benefits

The programme provides financial support alongside academic and personal development opportunities. Published benefits include:

• Full tuition fees.
• Paid on-campus accommodation.
• A laptop and learning materials.
• A monthly stipend throughout the year.
• An annual return-ticket allowance.
• Psychosocial support.
• Academic mentorship and tutoring.
• Internship and career development opportunities.
• Leadership training, community service and mentoring.
• Connections with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and alumni community.

The published information does not specify a stipend amount. What the programme covers

Funding is renewed annually, subject to satisfactory academic performance. Cohort 5 scholarship terms

Number of scholarships available

170 undergraduate scholarships are available for Cohort 5, distributed across selected programmes in seven University of Rwanda colleges. Official scholarship allocation

Eligibility criteria

To qualify, you must:

• Be a citizen of Rwanda or another African country, or qualify as a refugee or displaced young person in Africa.
• Meet the academic admission requirements for an eligible University of Rwanda programme.
• Demonstrate significant social or economic barriers to accessing education.
• Be no older than 28 at the time of application.
• Show leadership potential and evidence of community engagement.
• Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to your community.

Applicants with certified evidence of a protracted life condition may be considered up to age 30. The programme gives examples including refugees, single mothers and members of child-headed families.

If you apply under the refugee or disability category, you must provide recognised evidence of your status. Published eligibility requirements

The programme is intended for new students. Students who have already started their studies at the University of Rwanda are not eligible under its published guidance. Programme FAQs

Successful applicants holding another scholarship must discontinue it. Double funding can result in withdrawal of the Mastercard Foundation scholarship. Scholarship conditions

Eligible undergraduate programmes

Funding applies to selected courses, including programmes in science and technology, health sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, education, business, arts and social sciences.

Check your exact course against the official eligible-programmes list. Admission to the university alone does not establish that your chosen programme qualifies for this scholarship.

Documents and information to prepare

The undergraduate application portal asks you to prepare:

• Your University of Rwanda student number.
• A digital passport photograph with a white background.
• A scanned National ID showing your date of birth, passport or refugee ID.
• A disability certificate, if applying under the disability category.
• Leadership certificates, if available.

You will also provide information about your education, family circumstances, financial situation and leadership experience. Official preparation checklist

Name attachments using your name and UR reference number.

File-format note: The signed call requests PDFs smaller than 250 KB, while the live portal lists PDF, JPG or PNG files up to 5 MB each. Where practical, prepare legible PDFs below 250 KB to meet both published requirements. Signed application instructions · Portal upload guidance

How to apply

1. Confirm your admission application. You must have applied for the University of Rwanda’s 2026/2027 undergraduate intake. Keep the nine-digit registration number issued through that process. Admission prerequisite

2. Open the undergraduate scholarship portal. Visit the official undergraduate recruitment page and select Apply now.

3. Verify your student number and create an account. You can save your progress and return before the deadline.

4. Complete the form and upload your documents. Provide accurate information and clear supporting evidence.

5. Review and submit. Check your answers and attachments carefully, then submit the completed application.

6. Track your application. Use the portal’s application-tracking or results option. Official application process

The scholarship application requires no application fee or intermediary. Official scholarship instructions

Application deadline

12 October 2026 at 23:59 — Kigali time.

This is the scholarship deadline. The separate university admission application period closed on 5 October 2026. Scholarship deadline · Admission deadline

Selection process

The undergraduate portal publishes the following assessment weights:

Source: Official undergraduate recruitment portal.

Preselected applicants attend oral interviews before independent panels. Unannounced home visits may also be used to verify applicants’ circumstances. Only successful candidates receive notifications at each stage, and final selections are published on the University of Rwanda website.

Selected candidates must return acceptance and parent or guardian commitment forms within five working days. Scholarship offers cannot be deferred. Official selection and acceptance conditions

Official information and application

• Scholarship announcement: Cohort 5 undergraduate scholarships
• Full requirements: Signed scholarship call
• Eligible courses: Official programme list
• Apply and track results: Undergraduate scholarship portal
• Scholarship enquiries: mcfsp@ur.ac.rw
• Admission enquiries: admissions@ur.ac.rw