UC Berkeley MasterCard Scholarship 2027 (University of California, Berkeley, USA)
The UC Berkeley Mastercard Scholarship offers talented African students an opportunity to pursue eligible master’s degree programmes at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States.
The scholarship supports academically talented individuals who have experienced significant barriers to higher education and demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to contributing to their communities.
Through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, selected scholars receive financial, academic, and other support that covers tuition, accommodation, travel costs, books, and registration fees. They are also offered a laptop to assist their education and research activities.
The programme is particularly relevant to African graduates who want to pursue postgraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley (USA), in fields such as engineering, education, public policy, public health, environmental studies, journalism, information management, and other eligible disciplines.
This post explains the UC Berkeley Mastercard Scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, participating master’s programmes, application process, and official resources.
UC Berkeley Mastercard Scholarship 2027 Abstract & Quick Facts
Scholarship Host: Mastercard Foundation x UC Berkeley
Host Country: USA
Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Master’s Scholarships
Benefits: Full Scholarship • Living Costs • Accommodation • Travel Costs • Laptop• Books & Study Costs
Eligibility: Students from 50+ African Countries
Deadline: Varies by Program
2027 UC Berkeley MasterCard Scholarship Details
The University of California, Berkeley has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to offer fully funded master’s scholarships to African students.
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.
The UC Berkeley MasterCard Scholarship aims to develop a cohort of ethical, entrepreneurial, and energetic young leaders who will drive and lead socio-economic transformation in Africa.
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. More details below.
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UC Berkeley MasterCard Scholarship Benefits
- 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.
University of California Berkeley Mastercard Scholarship Requirements
To be considered for the 2027 University of California Berkeley Mastercard Scholarship award, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country
- Have academic talent
- Demonstrate leadership potential
- Come from a socio-economically disadvantaged background
- Have demonstrated the commitment to give back to your community, country, or continent.
- Have expressed the desire and intention to return to your home country after completing your studies
Eligible Programmes for Chevening Scholarship
The following are eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:
- Architecture (M.Arch)
- Art (MFA)(link is external)
- Business Administration (MBA)
- City & Regional Planning (MCP)
- Development Practice (MDP)
- Education (MA)
- Energy & Resources (ERG)
- Engineering (M.DevEng, M.Eng, MS)
- College of Chemistry
- Folklore (MA)
- Journalism (MJ)
- Information Management & Systems (MIMS)
- Global Studies (MA)
- Public Health (MPH, MS, MA)
- Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (MF, MS)
- Public Policy (MPP)
- Social Welfare (MSW)
- LL.M. Programs
- Translational Medicine (MTM)
Required Documents for Chevening Scholarship
To complete your application, prepare the following documents in advance:
- Valid Passport or National Identity Card.
- University transcripts and degree certificates.
- Two professional or academic reference letters.
- Compelling essays for Leadership, Indigence, and Future Development Plan for Africa.
How To Apply for Chevening Scholarship 2027
The step-by-step guide to apply for the Chevening Scholarship is as follows;
- Visit the official scholarship portal (Click the link below).
- Apply for admission to a degree program
- Complete the Form. Fill in academic, personal, and institutional details accurately.
- Upload Required Documents: Attach all documents listed in the section above in the specified format.
- Submit your application by the deadline.
- 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.
- Master’s degree applicants must first apply to a graduate program 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.
- Each eligible graduate degree program has specific requirements, and applicants should carefully review those. If a graduate program has multiple admission rounds with staggered deadlines, only those who submit applications in the first round can be considered for the Scholars Program.
- The Graduate Division also provides detailed information on the admissions process for international students.
- Direct questions regarding admission requirements should be made to the specific graduate program.
- We outline more details of the Scholars Program application process for the master’s program here. We will accept applications through the fall of 2028.
- 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.
Application Deadline: Varies by Program
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