245 Undergraduate and 13 Master’s scholarships – Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

About the Scholarship

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University aims to deepen inclusive University education by supporting 1,000 young people from Africa to access quality education and transition into dignified and fulfilling work. This is achieved by providing scholarships to academically talented young men and women from Sub-Saharan Africa whose access to higher education is constrained by social and economic barriers.

Makerere University is pleased to announce 245 Undergraduate and 13 Master’s scholarships under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for students joining the Makerere University Main Campus in the 2026/2027 academic year.

Undergraduate

Eligibility

To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus:

1. An applicant must belong to one of the following categories: 
   1. Refugee or internally displaced person (IDP)
   2. Young persons with disabilities 
   3. International students 
   4. Young persons who completed high school in a refugee-hosting community.
   5. Young people from underrepresented communities (Minority Tribes)
   6. Other Ugandan youth
2. The applicant must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus under the private sponsorship scheme for the academic year 2026/2027.
3. The applicant must have either;
   1. Completed their advanced secondary level education (or its equivalent) in an African country.
   2. Completed a diploma with at least a second class/credit award from any recognised institution in Africa.
   3. Passed the mature age entry examinations of Makerere University for the academic year 2026/2027 (for Refugees only)
4. The applicant must be experiencing financial constraints that limit their ability to afford university education.
5. The applicant must not be a holder of any other scholarship, including the Government of Uganda Scholarship.
6. The applicant must not be pursuing or have completed an undergraduate degree programme at any university. 
7. The applicant must have demonstrated engagement in leadership and/or community service.
8. The applicant must be 28 years or younger at the application deadline. 
9. Applicants under the categories of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and young persons living with disabilities must be 32 years of age or younger at the time of the application deadline.
10. A refugee applicant must hold a valid Refugee Identity Card or Family Attestation documentation.
11. Applicants in the Refugee Host Communities category must have completed their secondary school education within those communities.
12. The applicant must have applied for degree programmes prioritised under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University main campus. For the full list of priority programmes, visit: list of prioritised programmes under Mastercard foundation Scholars Program.

Masters

Eligibility

To apply for Mastercard Foundation Scholarships at Makerere University’s main campus

1. An applicant should belong to one of the following categories:
   1. Refugee or Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
   2. Young person with disabilities
   3. International students
   4. Young people living or working in a refugee host community
   5. Young people from underrepresented ethnic groups in Uganda (Minority tribes)
   6. Other Ugandan youth
2. The applicant must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus for 2026/2027.
3. The applicant must have completed their undergraduate education in an African country.
4. The applicant should be experiencing financial constraints that limit their ability to afford graduate education.
5. The applicant must not be a holder of any other scholarship.
6. The applicant must not be pursuing or have completed any Master’s degree studies.
7. The applicant must have demonstrated engagement in leadership and/or community service.
8. The applicant must be 35 years or younger at the application deadline.
9. Applicants in the categories of refugee, Internally Displaced Persons, and young persons with disabilities categories must be 40 years of age or younger at the application deadline.
10. A refugee applicant must hold a valid Refugee Identity card or Family Attestation documentation.
11. The applicant must have applied for degree programmes prioritised under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Click here to view the list of priority programmes.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DETAILS AND APPLY

Deadline: 5th June 2026