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Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027 | Fully Funded

The Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship offers fully funded scholarships to academically talented yet financially disadvantaged youth from Sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of African leaders by providing comprehensive support for undergraduate and masters studies. By removing financial barriers, the Mastercard Foundation ensures that scholars can focus on their studies, gain valuable skills, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

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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.

In this post, we will provide detailed information about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, including eligibility criteria, benefits, required documents, and the application process.

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Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Summary


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Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027 Details

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University aims to deepen inclusive university education and support 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.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is more than a scholarship program. It is a community. Apply for Mastercard Fully Funded Scholarship and advance your academic and research career.

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Eligibility Requirements for the Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduate’s Applicants

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, see the list below.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further selection engagements.
Applicants are advised to read the application guidelines below before completing the form.


Eligibility Requirements for Master’s Applicants

  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 people living in a refugee host community
    5. Young people from underrepresented ethnic groups in Uganda
    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 to apply for masters scholarship
  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 refugee, Internally Displaced Persons and s young persons with disabilities categories must be under 40 years of age 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. See the list of programmes below.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further selection engagements.

Applicants are advised to read the application guidelines below before completing the form.

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NOTE

  1. The Department of Academic Registrar is responsible for all University admissions. All applicants to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program should first apply for admission to Makerere University’s main campus. 
  2. At least 70% of the scholarships awarded through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will be awarded to young women, while a minimum of 30% to young men. Young women are therefore encouraged to apply
  3. At least 25% of the scholarships awarded through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program shall be awarded to refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Young people in this category are therefore encouraged to apply.
    Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are persons who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, persecution, or natural disasters. These individuals are often resettled in other areas within Uganda’s borders. They should have a recommendation/resettlement letter from the Office of the Prime Minister or its representative in the area.
  4. At least 10% of the scholarships awarded through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program shall be awarded to young people living with disabilities. Young people in this category are therefore encouraged to apply.
  5. Incomplete application forms will be automatically disqualified.
  6. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University practices merit principles and has zero tolerance for dishonesty. Any attempts to improperly influence the selection process will automatically disqualify the applicant. 
  7. Cases of impersonation, falsification of documents, or giving false/incomplete information, whether discovered at the time of receiving the award or afterwards, will lead to automatic cancellation of the award, repayment of funds disbursed under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and may result in legal action under the laws of Uganda if necessary.
  8. Makerere University appeals to the public to be aware of fraudsters within or outside of the University who might want to take advantage of the scholarship application process by soliciting money with a promise of securing a scholarship for an applicant. THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY (MAIN CAMPUS) IS FREE OF CHARGE; individuals caught in the act of conning the public will be prosecuted in courts of law.
  9. Only successful applicants will be notified at every stage of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application process.
  10. Those applicants who do not hear from us by the end of August 2026 should consider their applications unsuccessful.
  11. Filling out an application form DOES NOT guarantee a place in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus.

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Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at Makerere University Benefits

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides comprehensive financial, academic, and social support, including:

  • Full Tuition and Functional Fees: Covers all academic expenses.
  • Accommodation, Meals, and Monthly Stipend: Ensures a comfortable living environment.
  • Laptop and Medical Insurance: Provides access to a personal laptop and health coverage.
  • Leadership Development and Psychosocial Support: Training programs to enhance leadership skills and personal well-being.
  • Career Development and Entrepreneurship Training: Guidance on employability and business skills development.

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List of Degree Programmes Prioritised and Eligible Under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Here are the undergraduate degree programmes listed in the 2026/2027 Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholars.

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)

  • Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
  • Bachelor of Agribusiness Management
  • Bachelor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Innovation
  • Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Bachelor of Science in Water and Irrigation Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Bio-Processing Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Forestry
  • Bachelor of Environmental Science
  • Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management
  • Bachelor of Geographical Sciences

College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)

  • Bachelor of Architecture
  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Land Surveying and Geomatics
  • Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying
  • Bachelor of Fine Art
  • Bachelor of Industrial Art and Applied Design
  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer and Communication Engineering

College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)

  • Bachelor of Science – Biological
  • Bachelor of Science – Physical
  • Bachelor of Science – Economics
  • Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry
  • Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture
  • Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production
  • Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology
  • Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)

  • Bachelor of Applied Psychology
  • Bachelor of Arts (Music)
  • Bachelor of Journalism and Communication

College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)

  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
  • Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology
  • Bachelor of Library and Information Science

College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB)

  • Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Technology

College of Health Sciences (CHS)

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Environmental Health Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Cytotechnology
  • Bachelor of Optometry
  • Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy
  • Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences

School of Law

  • Bachelor of Laws

You can view the official PDF here: List of prioritised undergraduate programmes.


Here are the Makerere University Master’s degree programmes eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for Academic Year 2026/2027.

College of Education and External Studies (CEES)

  • Master of Adult and Community Education
  • Master of Instructional Design and Technology
  • Master of Education
    • Educational Management
    • Foundations of Education
    • Educational Policy and Planning
    • Early Childhood Education and Development
    • Language and Literature Education
    • Social Science and Humanities Education
    • Science Education

College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS)

  • M.A. in Economic Policy Management
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master in Public Infrastructure Management

College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)

  • M.A. in Journalism and Communication
  • M.A. in Rural Development
  • M.Ed. in Educational Psychology

School of Law (SoL)

  • Master of Laws (LL.M.)

College of Health Sciences (CHS)

  • Master of Medicine in Pediatrics and Child Health
  • Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)

  • Master of Science in Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Information Systems

You can view the official PDF here: List of priority Master’s programmes.


Required Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents:

  • Completed Application Form
  • Admission Letter (Proof of application or admission to Makerere University under the private sponsorship scheme)
  • Academic Transcripts and Certificates (Certified copies of previous academic records)
  • Identification Documents (National ID or passport)
  • Proof of Disability or Refugee Status (If applicable, official documentation verifying status)
  • Recommendation Letters (At least two letters from academic or community leaders)
  • Personal Statement (Essay detailing background, financial situation, leadership experience, and career goals)

Also read How to Prepare Yourself for Scholarships: Even If You’re Not Applying Yet – Easy Guide


How to Apply for the Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship (Step by Step)

In order to apply for any opportunities on this portal, you need to have an account. Simply follow the steps below to get started:

Prospective applicants for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus can access and complete the application form at no cost through our Online Application PortalYou are strongly encouraged to use a computer.

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Note: The applicant must have applied for degree programmes prioritised under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programmes as listed above.

  1. Create an account or sign up on the application portal using this LINK
  2. Check your email for a confirmation message & create a password
  3. Log in, fill-in to completion and submit your application

Resume Filling in your Application

  1. This platform allows you to save your application and resume later. To resume a previously started application, follow these steps
  2. Go to your Profile page.
  3. Scroll to “My Incomplete Submissions“. This section lists your incomplete applications
  4. Click “Edit” under the Actions column and start editing your application
  5. Remember “Saving is safer”

Important Note

The application process for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University is FREE of charge. Applicants should be cautious of fraudsters demanding money in exchange for scholarship placements. Any such incidents should be reported to the university authorities.

For inquiries or clarifications, please call our office mobile line +256 700-716-128 or email [email protected] 


Here is an easy-to-follow guide for starting your scholarship application and crafting a compelling personal statement:


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Deadline

Friday, 5th June 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EAT.


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Peace Maduka

Peace Maduka is a Writer and Editor at ScholarWaka, where she creates scholarship and educational guide content that helps students discover global education and funding opportunities. She also serves as a Program Manager and Team Lead, supporting program coordination and team development.
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