Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford

Benefits & funding

• 100% of course fees. For reference, the Blavatnik School lists the 2026–27 MPP course fee at £54,650, the same for Home and Overseas students.
• A grant for living costs.
• One economy return flight to and from the UK.
• Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees, a settling-down allowance, and access to a Thrive Fund for emergencies.
• A Leadership and Impact Programme in the first year, focused on collaborative leadership for cross-sector, interdisciplinary work on social and environmental problems.
• Academic and social support, plus links to AfOx networks in the UK and Africa.
• Support to take up a 4–6 month Ubuntu Period of Service placement at a leading Africa-based organisation after the master’s.
• Some Oxford colleges co-fund awards; Wolfson College co-funds up to two scholarships for one-year taught master’s courses in 2026–27.

Eligibility

• Citizenship of an African country and ordinary residence there; necessary residence considerations are made for students from refugee or displaced backgrounds.
• An application to an eligible Oxford taught master’s course, submitted by that course’s scholarship deadline.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent, as required for master’s admission.
• No previously completed graduate degree.
• A demonstrated track record of leadership and service in the applicant’s community.
• The MPP usually admits people with at least two years of professional experience; this is a course norm, not a scholarship rule.
• The scholarship explicitly emphasises groups historically under-represented, including women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and disabled scholars. This is an emphasis, not a separate requirement.

Application process

1. 1
   Confirm on the AfOx site that your intended Oxford course is eligible.
2. 2
   Apply to the course by its deadline. For the MPP (2027–28 entry) that is 2 December 2026, and the School advises submitting two weeks early; the Faculty of Law’s BCL, MJur, MLF and MSc in Criminology require the January deadline.
3. 3
   If invited, complete the AfOx Graduate Scholarship questionnaire during the application process.
4. 4
   Shortlisted candidates are interviewed virtually before decisions are made.
5. 5
   MPP offer letters are issued in mid-to-late March.

Program timeline

1. September 2026

   Applications open for 2027–28 MPP entry

2. MPP application deadline, required for scholarship consideration

   Dec 2, 2026

3. Faculty of Law deadline for BCL, MJur, MLF and MSc in Criminology applicants

   January 2027

4. During the application process

   Invited candidates complete the AfOx Graduate Scholarship questionnaire; shortlisted candidates are interviewed virtually

5. MPP offer letters issued

   Mid-to-late March 2027

6. MPP induction begins

   September 2027

7. After the master’s

   4–6 month Ubuntu Period of Service placement in Africa