Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at University of Edinburgh 2027/28 | Apply for Powerful Postgraduate Scholarships
The University of Edinburgh is accepting applications for the 2027/28 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, offering scholarship opportunities for eligible students seeking to pursue postgraduate study through selected on-campus and online degree programmes.
For the 2027/28 scholarship cycle, the University has introduced a new application process. Prospective applicants must first check their eligibility, explore eligible degree programmes and attend a mandatory virtual information session before they can gain access to the scholarship application form.
The programme is designed to identify eligible candidates through a preliminary assessment process before inviting successful participants to submit the full scholarship application.
About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh provides opportunities for eligible students to pursue postgraduate education through selected degree programmes.
For the 2027/28 cycle, applicants can consider both on-campus and online postgraduate study options. However, prospective applicants must follow the University’s new scholarship application process before submitting a scholarship application.
A key change for this application cycle is the introduction of mandatory virtual information sessions. Attendance at one of these sessions is required before an eligible applicant can receive access to the scholarship application form.
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New Application Process for 2027/28
Applicants should carefully follow the University’s five-stage process.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before registering for an information session, applicants should review the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program eligibility requirements.
Only applicants who meet the relevant requirements should proceed to the information-session stage.
Step 2: Explore Eligible Degree Programmes
Applicants should review the postgraduate programmes available through the University of Edinburgh and decide whether they prefer an on-campus or online programme.
Prospective scholars should identify a programme that matches their academic background, career objectives and the available scholarship opportunities.
Step 3: Attend a Mandatory Virtual Information Session
Attendance at a virtual information session is a mandatory part of the 2027/28 scholarship application process.
When registering, applicants will complete a short questionnaire. Their responses will be reviewed to determine their preliminary eligibility.
Importantly, attending an information session does not automatically guarantee an invitation to apply. Only attendees who meet the scholarship eligibility requirements will receive an invitation.
Information Sessions for On-Campus Applicants
Applicants interested in on-campus study can choose from the following sessions:
- 15 September 2026 – 3:00pm UK Time
- 21 September 2026 – 11:00am UK Time
- 24 September 2026 – 4:00pm UK Time
Information Sessions for Online Applicants
Applicants interested in online study can choose from:
- 17 September 2026 – 4:00pm UK Time
- 22 September 2026 – 11:00am UK Time
- 24 September 2026 – 3:00pm UK Time
Applicants should select a session appropriate to their preferred study mode and complete the registration questionnaire carefully.
What Happens After the Information Session?
Following the information sessions, the University will assess preliminary eligibility.
On 13 October 2026, eligible attendees will be notified whether they have been invited to submit a scholarship application.
Applicants who are invited to apply will receive their invitation through SurveyMonkey Apply.
Those who do not meet the requirements to proceed will receive a notification confirming that they will not move forward in the process.
Stage 1: Applicant Declaration Form
Applicants who receive an invitation must first complete the Applicant Declaration Form.
This is the first formal stage of the scholarship application and requires applicants to provide additional information confirming their eligibility.
The deadline is:
19 October 2026 at 5:00pm UK time.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete this stage as early as possible.
The University reserves the right to close the form before the stated deadline if the application limit is reached.
Applicants who are unsuccessful at the Applicant Declaration stage will be notified and will not proceed to the main scholarship application.
Stage 2: Scholarship Main Application
Applicants who successfully complete the Applicant Declaration Form will receive an invitation to submit the Scholarship Main Application.
The final deadline for the main scholarship application is:
19 November 2026 at 5:00pm UK time.
Applicants should ensure that all required information is complete and accurate before submitting their application.
Do You Need to Apply for a Degree Programme Now?
No.
At the scholarship application stage, applicants should apply for the scholarship only, rather than submitting an application for their chosen University of Edinburgh degree programme.
If an applicant is successful and receives a scholarship offer in March 2027, they will then be invited to apply for their selected degree programme through the University’s standard admissions process.
However, applicants applying for other scholarships that require an active University application may apply for their degree programme separately and in parallel.
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Important Application Rules
The University of Edinburgh emphasizes that applications must follow the official process.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will not accept:
- Applications submitted outside the official online application system.
- Applications from individuals who have not followed the required application process.
- Applications submitted without completing the mandatory information-session stage where applicable.
Applicants should therefore carefully follow each step and observe all deadlines.
2027/28 Application Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| On-campus information sessions | 15, 21 & 24 September 2026 |
| Online information sessions | 17, 22 & 24 September 2026 |
| Eligibility/invitation notification | 13 October 2026 |
| Applicant Declaration deadline | 19 October 2026, 5pm UK |
| Main scholarship application deadline | 19 November 2026, 5pm UK |
| Scholarship offers expected | March 2027 |
| Degree application after scholarship offer | Through standard University admissions |
Why Applicants Should Prepare Early
The new application process means prospective applicants cannot simply submit a scholarship application whenever they choose.
Applicants must first:
- Confirm their eligibility.
- Explore suitable postgraduate programmes.
- Register for and attend a mandatory information session.
- Complete the preliminary eligibility process.
- Wait for an invitation to apply.
- Complete the Applicant Declaration Form.
- Submit the main scholarship application before the final deadline.
Because the University may close the Applicant Declaration Form early after reaching its application limit, early preparation is strongly recommended.
What Should Applicants Do Now?
Prospective applicants should begin by reviewing the official eligibility requirements and identifying suitable on-campus or online postgraduate programmes.
They should also prepare for the virtual information sessions scheduled for September 2026.
Applicants should keep track of the important dates and make sure they have access to the email address they use during registration, as scholarship invitations and application communications will be sent electronically.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application deadline?
The deadline for the main scholarship application is 19 November 2026 at 5:00pm UK time. However, applicants must first complete earlier stages of the process.
Is attending the information session mandatory?
Yes. Attendance at a virtual information session is a mandatory step for prospective applicants to gain access to the scholarship application form.
Does attending an information session guarantee an application invitation?
No. Attendance does not guarantee an invitation. The University will assess questionnaire responses and preliminary eligibility before inviting eligible attendees to apply.
When will applicants know whether they are invited to apply?
Eligible attendees are expected to receive notification of whether they are invited to apply on 13 October 2026.
What is the deadline for the Applicant Declaration Form?
The Applicant Declaration Form must be completed by 19 October 2026 at 5:00pm UK time. Applicants are encouraged to submit it early because the University may close the form once its application limit is reached.
Do I need to apply for a University of Edinburgh degree programme before applying for the scholarship?
No. At this stage, applicants should apply for the scholarship rather than the degree programme. Successful scholarship recipients will later be invited to apply through the University’s standard admissions process.
Are online postgraduate programmes included?
Yes. The 2027/28 scholarship application process covers both on-campus and online postgraduate scholarships, subject to programme and scholarship eligibility requirements.
When will scholarship offers be made?
Successful applicants are expected to receive scholarship offers in March 2027.
Can I apply for other scholarships at the same time?
Yes. Applicants seeking other scholarships that require an active University application may apply to the University in parallel.
Conclusion
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh for 2027/28 provides an important opportunity for eligible postgraduate applicants interested in studying through selected on-campus or online programmes.
The new application process requires careful planning because applicants must first attend a mandatory virtual information session and receive an invitation before accessing the scholarship application.
Prospective applicants should therefore check their eligibility, explore suitable degree programmes, register for an information session and prepare early.
The main scholarship application deadline is 19 November 2026 at 5:00pm UK time, while the Applicant Declaration Form deadline is 19 October 2026 at 5:00pm UK time.
For questions about the programme, applicants can contact the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Team at mcfsp@ed.ac.uk.
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