MasterCard Scholarship at the University of California Berkeley, USA

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a growing commitment, and, to date, the Program has committed over USD $1.2 billion to supporting the education and leadership development of more than 40,000 young people.

Based in the Center for African Studies at UC Berkeley, the MasterCard Scholarship at UC Berkeley has provided support to over 120 students from 2012 to 2020, both undergraduate and master’s degree students. Students seeking doctoral degrees are not eligible for this Program.

Going forward through 2030, the Program at UC Berkeley will provide support to over 108 master’s degree students.

To be considered for the MasterCard Scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley, you must satisfy the following requirements:

• Being a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country: This includes Africans who are refugees or displaced within the African continent. This scholarship is not intended for citizens of North African countries. Those with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK or EU are not eligible.

• Having academic talent: All prospective Scholars must first be admitted to a UC Berkeley master’s degree program to be considered for the Scholarship. An important criterion for admission to the University is demonstrated academic excellence.

• Demonstrating leadership potential: The Program seeks those committed to developing the skills and mindsets associated with transformative leadership, i.e, that which engages others in an ethical manner to generate positive and lasting change.

• Coming from a socio-economically disadvantaged background: This Scholarship is designed for those extremely talented individuals who might not otherwise have access to quality further education.

• Having demonstrated the commitment to give back to your community, country, or continent: Mastercard seeks well-rounded students who are engaged in activities beyond the classroom. Some may be directly related to your field of study, but this may also include other issues (social, economic, political) that you are working on and passionate about. Applicants should elaborate on their achievements both in their application to UC Berkeley and then later in the Scholarship application.

• Having expressed the desire and intention to return to your home country after completing your studies: The Mastercard Foundation is looking for students who are engaged with and passionate about issues affecting their communities, and who will take advantage of their education at UC Berkeley to better equip themselves with the knowledge and training to address these issues upon return. While important work can be done from abroad, the intention of the Program is to enable Scholars to return home, after forming valuable professional connections through internships, academic training, and job placements. 
  

• The Scholarship is fully-funded 

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive a comprehensive scholarship equivalent to the costs associated with earning a master’s degree, which includes travel, tuition, Berkeley student fees, visa and SEVIS fees, housing, food, living expenses, and cohort signature programs which will focus on leadership and entrepreneurship.

• MBA students need to secure additional funding from Haas Business School through obtaining Haas scholarships, which requires meeting the Round One or Two application deadline.

To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, master’s degree seekers must first apply to the university through the regular admissions process.

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  After students apply for admission to a degree program, the Program will invite them to apply for the Scholarship if they meet the eligibility requirements. 

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  Master’s degree applicants must first apply to a graduate progam before they will be considered for the Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program. Not all degree programs are eligible. Here is a list of Master’s Degree programs. 

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  Each eligible graduate degree program has specific requirements and applicants should carefully review those. If a graduate program has multilple admission rounds with staggered deadlines, only those who submit applications in the first round can be considered for the Scholars Program.

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  The Graduate Division also provides detailed information on the admissions process for international students.

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  Direct questions regarding admission requirements should be made to the specific graduate program.

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  We outline more details of the Scholars Program application process for the master’s program here. UV Berkeley will accept applications through the fall of 2028.

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  While the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley is not open to undergraduates, students at this level are welcome to apply to the University of California, Berkeley.