Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford 2027/28

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford is inviting applications for 2027/28 entry. Delivered in partnership with the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), the programme supports African students through postgraduate education, leadership development and opportunities to contribute to Africa’s development.

The call covers eligible one-year full-time taught master’s programmes and the Postgraduate Diploma in Global Health Research. Oxford also confirms the 2027/28 scholarship opportunity on its funding page for under-represented groups.

You must first apply for an eligible Oxford course by its relevant funding deadline. Eligible applicants who receive an admission offer will then be invited to complete a scholarship application.

Opportunity at a glance

What the scholarship covers

The scholarship covers course fees and provides a living-cost grant at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate. Funding is awarded for the full period during which you are liable to pay fees for the agreed course.

The call does not state a fixed monetary value for the 2027/28 living-cost grant.

Additional support listed in the call includes:

• An economy return flight.
• Visa costs.
• Immigration Health Surcharge fees.
• A laptop.
• A settling-in allowance.

Scholars also receive academic, social and professional support, with opportunities to connect with the wider AfOx network.

The call includes support for both Oxford-based and online scholars and states that online scholars will have an opportunity to meet in person once annually. If you plan to study online, confirm with AfOx which travel, immigration and allowance provisions apply to your circumstances.

Leadership development and placements

During your studies, you will participate in the Transformative Leadership Programme, which complements your academic work with leadership development.

After completing your academic programme, scholars are supported to undertake six-month placements in leading Africa-focused organisations through the Ubuntu Transitions Programme.

These placements provide opportunities to work on initiatives relevant to Africa, receive mentoring from academics and practitioners, and develop professional connections that support future careers on the continent.

Eligible study options

The 2027/28 call identifies two study routes:

• Eligible one-year full-time taught master’s programmes at Oxford.
• The Postgraduate Diploma in Global Health Research.

The diploma has a different study format from the master’s route. Oxford lists the PGDip in Global Health Research as a 14-month, part-time course delivered entirely online, with an expected start date of 4 October 2027. Attendance in Oxford is not required, and the course cannot sponsor a student visa. See the official course page.

The call also states that applicants from countries affected by visa bans may be considered for online part-time courses where possible. This is a conditional provision; you should confirm the available options with AfOx before relying on it.

Use Oxford’s graduate course directory to review course requirements, delivery arrangements and deadlines.

Who can apply?

To be considered, you must meet the requirements in the scholarship call:

• Hold an offer for an eligible course, having submitted your course application by its relevant December or January funding deadline.
• Be a citizen of an African country and ordinarily resident there. Residence considerations will be made for applicants from refugee and displaced backgrounds.
• Not have previously completed a graduate degree.
• Demonstrate a record of leadership and community service.
• Show alignment with AfOx’s values: Collegiality, Empathy, Commitment, Transparency and Inclusivity.
• Explain how your previous work or future plans contribute to addressing Africa’s challenges. Examples in the call include pandemic threats, the climate crisis and youth employment.

You must also satisfy the admission requirements for your chosen Oxford course. Scholarship eligibility does not replace the course’s academic, English-language or other entry requirements.

The programme gives preference to applicants from groups historically underrepresented in higher education, including people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, women, persons with disabilities, and people from refugee or displaced backgrounds.

If you have experienced displacement, indicate your circumstances accurately in the relevant section of Oxford’s graduate application form so that they can be considered.

How to apply

1. Choose an eligible course.
   Review the course content, entry requirements, supporting documents and funding deadline in Oxford’s graduate course directory.

2. Read the application guidance.
   Consult the Oxford Graduate Application Guide and follow the application route specified for your course.

3. Prepare a complete course application.
   Gather all documents and arrange any references required by your chosen programme. Requirements vary, so use the course page as your checklist.

4. Submit by the relevant funding deadline.
   The scholarship call recommends submitting your complete application and supporting materials at least one week before the deadline. Follow any earlier preparation advice on your course page.

5. Watch for a scholarship invitation after receiving an offer.
   Eligible offer holders will be contacted by Student Fees and Funding via email and invited to complete a scholarship application form.

6. Complete the invited scholarship application.
   Explain how you meet the eligibility requirements and provide evidence of your leadership, community service and plans to contribute to Africa’s development.

7. Attend an interview if invited.
   You may be invited to an online interview via Zoom.

The process begins with your Oxford course application. The scholarship form is a later, invitation-based stage.

Application deadline

There is no single deadline for every course covered by this scholarship.

For 2027/28 entry, you must meet the relevant December 2026 or January 2027 funding deadline shown on your chosen course page. Do not assume a later admissions deadline will preserve your eligibility for scholarship consideration.

For the PGDip in Global Health Research, Oxford publishes the following deadline:

Tuesday 1 December 2026, at 12:00 midday UK time.

This deadline applies specifically to the diploma. Verify it on the official PGDip course page.

Any deadline for the subsequent scholarship form should be followed as stated in your invitation email.

Selection process

Scholarship consideration follows admission to an eligible course. Invited applicants will be asked to explain their eligibility and demonstrate their leadership, community contribution, alignment with AfOx values and plans for impact in Africa.

An online interview may form part of the process. The attached call does not provide a fixed interview timetable or final decision date. Receiving a course offer does not itself guarantee a scholarship.

Official information and application

• Programme information: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford
• Find a course and its deadline: Oxford graduate course directory
• Application instructions: Oxford Graduate Application Guide
• Online diploma information and application: PGDip in Global Health Research
• Scholarship enquiries: afoxscholarships@ndm.ox.ac.uk