Call for Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholarships at The University of Oxford 2025/26
About the Program
The University of Oxford and the Mastercard Foundation have established an innovative and ambitious partnership under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) to offer a range of scholarships for outstanding African candidates applying for taught postgraduate courses at the University of Oxford for 2025/26 entry. The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships cover course fees and a grant for living costs for taught postgraduate students at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate. Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed taught postgraduate course.
Beyond covering course fees and providing a grant for living costs, the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships deliver tailor-made training programmes, networking opportunities and support for students before, during, and after their time at Oxford. The AfOx Graduate Scholarships are offered in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, Oppenheimer Fund, and the Kennedy Institute.
What We Offer
The first year of the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship Programme includes an academically rigorous taught postgraduate course at Oxford and a Leadership and Impact Programme, which support the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholars in developing collaborative leadership qualities needed to build cross-sector, interdisciplinary solutions to address complex social and environmental problems. After completing their master’s Program, Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholars will be supported to take up 4-6 months placements in leading Africa-based organisations for their Ubuntu Period of Service. The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholars will work on initiatives in Africa, receiving mentoring from leading Africa-based academics and practitioners, enabling the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholars to develop pathways to building impactful careers in Africa.
In addition to covering course fees and providing a grant for living costs, the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships offer logistical support to Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholars whose studies are based in Oxford. This support includes an economy return flight, visa costs, covering the Immigration Health Surcharge fees, and providing a settling-in allowance.
Eligibility
Eligible offer holders will be automatically considered and contacted by Student Fees and Funding via email. Eligible candidates will be invited to demonstrate how they meet the following selection criteria. In awarding the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships the panel looks at four areas: 1) Academic merit and potential 2) Leadership experience and capacity development 3) Alignment with the Mastercard Foundation and AfOx values and themes 4) Commitment to Africa’s development. Groups who have historically been underrepresented, including but not limited to women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Necessary residence considerations will be made for students from refugee and displaced backgrounds.
To be considered for this Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship you must submit your application for graduate study by the relevant December/January deadline for your course. Selection is expected to take place by July 2025. For more information about these scholarships, including the range of eligible courses, please visit the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships page.
How to apply
1. Apply for graduate studies at the University of Oxford
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship, submit your application for graduate study to the University of Oxford via the graduate admissions portal by the relevant deadline for your chosen course of study. Please read the Application Guide in detail ahead of making the application. We strongly recommend you submit your application form and all your supporting documents at least two weeks before the relevant deadline for your course.
Our website www.graduate.ox.ac.uk has information on:
- Courses, including entry requirements.
- Fees and funding
- Colleges
- How to apply
You can filter the University’s full course list by length, taught/research, and academic department www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/coursesaz
2. Interview for the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Graduate Scholarships
If you are eligible for consideration, you will receive an email from Student Fees and Funding with an invitation to a Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship interview (online via Zoom).
Deadlines
Most postgraduate courses at the University of Oxford have application deadlines in December or January. The specific dates to note are:
- 15th November 2024 – application deadline (some courses)
- 3rd December 2024 – application deadline (Medical Sciences Division and some other courses)
- 7th January 2025 – application deadline (Humanities courses)
- 8th January 2025 – application deadline (Some Mathematical Physical and Life Sciences courses and remaining Medical Sciences Division courses)
- 9th January 2025 – application deadline (Some Social Sciences courses)
- 28th January 2025 – application deadline (Other Social Sciences courses)
- 29th January 2025 – application deadline (Continuing Education courses, Law, and all other courses)
Please be aware that the exact deadline can vary depending on the course. As such, it’s recommended that prospective students check the specific application deadline for their chosen course well in advance. The University of Oxford has an extensive database of frequently asked questions. Click here for the FAQs.
Should you have a query that has not been addressed, please email your question to afoxscholarships@ndm.ox.ac.uk and we will get back to you promptly.
