The Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarships provide full funding, monthly stipends, accommodation, and airfare for exceptional international students from Sub-Saharan Africa to pursue a Master’s degree in France. The programme targets academically outstanding students with proven leadership potential who face financial barriers to accessing higher education.
It is specifically designed for students committed to making a lasting impact on the African continent—particularly in the areas of public policy, political leadership, environmental change, and societal transformation.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: France
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Sub-Saharan African Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Monthly Stipends | Accommodation | Airfare Tickets
- IELTS Requirement: No IELTS Required
- Deadline: January 4, 2026
Scholarships Details
Since 2017, Sciences Po has been a proud partner of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, alongside the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh. Through this partnership, over 138 students from Sub-Saharan Africa have been enrolled in degree programmes in the social sciences, with the goal of cultivating a new generation of change-makers who will drive transformation in their home countries.
The Mastercard Foundation is dedicated to promoting inclusive and high-quality education across Africa. Its Young Africa Works strategy aims to enable 30 million young Africans to secure dignified and fulfilling employment or entrepreneurial opportunities by 2030. The partnership with Sciences Po plays a key role in this mission by providing access to world-class education and training.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at Sciences Po, applicants must:
- Be a citizen or resident of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to driving change and contributing to Africa’s development, particularly in public policy, environmental sustainability, or social transformation.
- Show clear financial need, with supporting documentation as part of the application.
- Provide a recommendation letter from an academic advisor or lecturer.
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) by the next academic year.
- Apply for a two-year Master’s programme at one of Sciences Po’s seven Graduate Schools (applicants for one-year, dual degree, or joint programmes are not eligible).
- Demonstrate a minimum C1 level proficiency in either French or English, depending on the language of instruction for the chosen programme.
- Be under 35 years old at the start of the graduate academic year.
- Not hold or be pursuing a prior Master’s degree.
Scholarship Benefits
The Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and living expenses in France throughout the study period. In addition, recipients benefit from extensive academic, professional, and personal support, including:
- Pre-departure guidance, a structured arrival orientation, and an official welcome programme in Paris.
- Guaranteed housing in Paris specifically reserved for scholarship holders.
- Personalised academic and social support throughout their studies at Sciences Po.
- Career development support, including:
- Mentorship and professional guidance.
- A career fair with employers and internship providers focused on Africa.
- Access to Sciences Po’s business incubator and alumni network.
- Specialized career workshops and leadership conferences.
- A mentoring programme managed in partnership with the Africa Division of Sciences Po Alumni.
- Full access to university resources and academic facilities.
Required Documents
Applicants are required to prepare and submit the following documents:
- Personal details and contact information.
- A letter of recommendation from an academic advisor (using the official recommendation form).
- Full financial documentation proving the applicant’s need for support.
- Details of academic achievements and extracurricular involvement.
- A personal statement highlighting experiences, perspectives on African issues, and plans for driving change on the continent (this statement carries significant weight in the selection process).
How to Apply
To apply for this scholarship,
Step 1: Request Eligibility for the Scholarship
- Visit the official scholarship website and provide the required information to determine your eligibility.
- Once your request is reviewed, you will receive confirmation of eligibility.
- If eligible, your application fee for Sciences Po will be waived.
Step 2: Apply to Sciences Po (Main Admission Procedure)
- Follow the international graduate admissions process to apply for your desired Master’s programme.
- Begin your Sciences Po application at the same time as your Mastercard Foundation Scholarship eligibility request.
- Wait for confirmation of your eligibility and fee waiver before submitting your Sciences Po application.
Step 3: Admission and Scholarship Allocation
- Applicants will receive admission results in mid-February 2026, followed by scholarship results in mid-March 2026.
- Please note that admission to Sciences Po does not automatically guarantee scholarship selection.
- Deferring admission to the following year will result in loss of the scholarship.
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