University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholarship | Fully Funded
The University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholarship has opened its third cohort of postgraduate scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year, recruiting 30 scholars for two-year Master’s degree programmes. Confirmed directly through the programme’s official recruitment portal, applications close 22 August 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Africa Time — just a few days away.
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Note for undergraduate applicants: this current, verified cycle is specifically for postgraduate study. If you’re seeking the undergraduate track under this same broader partnership, check University of Rwanda’s official admissions page directly, since the most recent undergraduate cycle we could confirm had already closed.
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University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholarship |
| Host Country ⇒ | Rwanda |
| Study Level ⇒ | Postgraduate (Master’s, 2-year programmes) |
| Eligibility ⇒ | Rwandan and African citizens, including certified refugees and persons with disabilities |
| Reward ⇒ | Full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, laptop, annual return flight allowance |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 22 August 2026, 11:59 PM CAT |
About the Scholarship
This is the third cohort of a 10-year partnership (2021–2031) between the University of Rwanda and the Mastercard Foundation, designed to expand access to quality postgraduate education for academically talented young Africans who face genuine barriers to higher education, particularly those affected by conflict or post-conflict circumstances.
The programme sets clear priority targets, not rigid caps: 70% of places prioritised for qualified female applicants, 80% of selected candidates expected from STEM fields, and specific priority also given to certified refugees and persons with disabilities. Continuing students already enrolled are not eligible.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a Rwandan or African citizen — refugees must be certified by UNHCR, MINEMA, or another relevant recognised body
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to your desired UR Master’s programme
- Have already applied for admission to the University of Rwanda for the September 2026 intake, in a Master’s programme with a two-year duration — pre-selection for the scholarship is conditional on this admission
- Demonstrate genuine economic or social disadvantage, leadership potential, and a real commitment to community service
- Show the potential to contribute meaningfully to your country and the African continent after graduating
- Not be a continuing student already enrolled at the University of Rwanda
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation
- A monthly living stipend
- A laptop and learning materials
- An annual return ticket allowance
- Psycho-social support
- Academic mentoring and tutoring
- Internship opportunities and career services
- Leadership and personal development training
- Access to the wider global Mastercard Foundation Scholars Community
Required Documents
- A digital passport photo (white background)
- National ID or passport, showing date of birth
- Scanned national ID
- Scanned passport, for international applicants
- Refugee ID or supporting documentation, for refugee applicants
- Disability certificate, for applicants in that category
- Leadership certificates, if you have any
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to your chosen two-year Master’s programme at the University of Rwanda for the September 2026 intake — scholarship pre-selection is conditional on this admission
- Register with your email address on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s official recruitment portal to start a new application
- Complete every section of the application, uploading all required documents
- Save your progress at any point before the deadline and return to complete it later if needed
- Review your full application carefully, then submit — track your application status directly from your portal dashboard afterward
- Submit before 22 August 2026, 11:59 PM CAT
If you have questions during the application window, the programme’s support team is directly reachable, including the UR Admission and Registration Specialist and the university’s own Registrar’s office — contact details are listed on the official recruitment portal.
Official Application Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship for undergraduate or postgraduate study?
This current, confirmed cycle is specifically for postgraduate (Master’s) study — 30 places across two-year programmes. Undergraduate applicants should check the University of Rwanda’s own admissions page directly for a separate, current undergraduate cycle.
What’s the deadline for the current cycle?
22 August 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Africa Time.
Do I need to already have a University of Rwanda admission offer to apply?
Yes. You must have already applied for and be pursuing admission to an eligible two-year Master’s programme for the September 2026 intake — scholarship consideration is conditional on this admission.
Are continuing students eligible?
No. Students already enrolled at the University of Rwanda are not eligible for this scholarship.
What priority groups does this scholarship target?
Approximately 70% of places are prioritised for qualified female applicants, 80% for STEM fields, with specific priority also given to certified refugees and persons with disabilities.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, including the postgraduate focus and current deadline, were verified directly against the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s official University of Rwanda recruitment portal as of August 2026. Given the imminent deadline, confirm all current details directly through the official portal before applying.
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