Deadline
2026-01-07
Value of Scholarship
Full Scholarship, Flight tickets, Visa Fees & Accommodation
Country Tenable
United Kingdom
Renewable
No
The Mastercard AfOx Scholarship Programme offers a fully funded opportunity for passionate, community-driven, and globally minded African students to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford.
This transformative initiative is a collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx). Together, they aim to support 400 young African scholars undertaking one-year taught Master’s programmes focused on pandemic preparedness and recovery.
Scholarship Overview
The Mastercard AfOx Scholarship is grounded in shared values of empathy, inclusion, collegiality, commitment, and community. It goes beyond tuition support, offering Scholars access to world-class academic resources, leadership training, and a lifelong professional network.
Key features include:
- Full tuition coverage
- A living stipend of £20,780
- Tailored leadership and entrepreneurship training
- Mentorship and networking opportunities
- Alumni engagement and support beyond the classroom
Scholarship Benefits
Duration: One academic year (Master’s level), followed by a 4–6 month service placement in Africa.
Coverage:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance of £20,780
- Economy return flight ticket
- Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees
- Settling-in allowance
- Emergency support via the Thrive Fund
Leadership Development:
- Participation in the Leadership and Impact Programme, delivered in partnership with the Skoll Centre for Social Enterprise
- Focused training in collaborative leadership and problem-solving for Africa’s complex social and environmental challenges
Post-graduation Service:
- Scholars will complete a 4–6 month Ubuntu Period of Service with leading Africa-based organisations to apply their skills and drive impact at home.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the 2026 Mastercard AfOx Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a national of an African country
- Apply for a full-time Master’s course at Oxford via the Graduate Admissions portal
- Indicate interest in AfOx funding during the application
- Submit the Oxford application and all required documents before the course deadline
Priority will be given to:
- Women
- Refugees and displaced persons
- Scholars with disabilities
- Other underrepresented groups
Necessary residence and support accommodations will be made for students from displaced backgrounds.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Visit the scholarship webpage via the official AfOx or Oxford University portal.
- Submit an application for an eligible Master’s course at the University of Oxford. Clearly state your intention to apply for AfOx funding.
- Application Fee: The £75 application fee is waived for many applicants from low-income countries. For others, fee waivers may be requested.
- Mentorship Support: Consider applying to the Afrisoc Mentoring Programme for assistance with your Oxford application and potential fee waiver guidance.
- Email Support: For concerns about the application fee, contact afox@ndm.ox.ac.uk before submitting through the Applicant Portal.
- Next Steps: If you receive a conditional offer for your chosen course, you’ll be invited to complete a separate AfOx Graduate Scholarship Questionnaire.
- Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed virtually. Interview timelines will be shared in due course.
Scholarships are not only for the smart students. Anyone can get scholarships
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