The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) offers a prestigious fully funded scholarship for African students to pursue eligible Master’s degree programs in the United States. Designed to develop the next generation of transformative global leaders, this fully funded Master’s scholarship in the USA is a strong option for students comparing Mastercard Foundation scholarships for Africans and fully funded graduate scholarships in the USA.
The program places a strong emphasis on empowering women, overcoming systemic educational barriers, and building a deep commitment to community transformation across Africa. For African applicants searching for a fully funded Master’s at a top US university or a leadership scholarship for African students, it offers world-class academic training paired with a clear focus on giving back. Applicants relocating to the US should also review student visa and health insurance requirements, as valid coverage is typically required before enrollment.
Backed by the Mastercard Foundation, one of the world’s largest scholarship funders, the UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 remains a top choice for talented students seeking fully funded postgraduate study in the USA and the chance to lead change in their home communities.
Program Summary
| Category | Specifications |
| Host Institution | University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) |
| Host Country | United States |
| Degree Level | Postgraduate Master’s Programs |
| Target Audience | African Citizens / Nationals |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded (Full-Ride Scholarship) |
| Fee-Waiver Deadline | November 15 (Demographic step in graduate application) |
| Admissions Deadlines | Varies by department (typically between September and early December) |
| Official Portal Link | Apply to be a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley |
Full Scholarship Financial Benefits
Scholars receive comprehensive financial and administrative backing for the entire duration of their graduate studies:
Tuition & Fees: 100% coverage of university tuition and compulsory student fees.
Housing & Living Allowance: Subsidized on-campus or local housing, food, and monthly living stipends.
Travel & Visa Expenses: Round-trip international air travel, US visa application fees, and SEVIS fee coverage.
Leadership & Entrepreneurship Training: Exclusive access to leadership development workshops, mentorship networks, and professional transition support.
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Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at UC Berkeley, applicants must meet the following baseline requirements:
Citizenship: Must be a citizen or national of an African country.
Academic Excellence: Strong academic track record and competitive standing in previous undergraduate studies.
Barrier to Education: Have experienced significant economic, social, or systemic barriers to accessing higher education.
Leadership & Community Commitment: Demonstrated dedication to community service, social impact, and a clear vision to return to Africa after graduation to contribute to local development.
Gender Inclusion: Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Program Admission: Must apply to and secure admission in an eligible Master’s degree program at UC Berkeley. (Note: Undergraduate and PhD programs are excluded from this specific scholarship).
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Which Master’s Degree program?
Please note that bachelor and doctoral programs do not qualify for the Scholars Program at UC Berkeley.
UC Berkeley offers many master’s degree programs. The following are eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:
- Haas School of Business
- Business Administration (MBA)(link is external)
- MBA students need to secure additional funding from Haas Business School through obtaining Haas scholarships(link is external), which requires meeting the Round One application deadline(link is external). We encourage you to contact us if you are interested in learning more details about this unique process.
- Business Administration (MBA)(link is external)
School of Education
- Education (MA)
- College of Engineering
- College of Environmental Design –
- Architecture (MArch)(link is external) – only two year program
- City & Regional Planning (MCP)(link is external)
- Design (M.Des)(link is external) (joint with College of Engineering)
- Environmental Planning (MLA EP)(link is external)
- Landscape Architecture (MLA 2D)(link is external)
- School of Information
- Graduate School of Journalism
- Journalism (MJ)(link is external)
- We will consider only those applicants who meet the Round 1 deadline.
- Journalism (MJ)(link is external)
- School of Law
- Law (LLM)(link is external) – Traditional(link is external) Program
- College of Letters and Science
- College of Natural Resources
- School of Public Health
- Community Health Sciences (MPH)(link is external)
- Health Policy and Management (MPH)(link is external)
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology (MPH)(link is external)
- Interdisciplinary Division (MPH)(link is external)
- Environmental Health Sciences (MPH, MS)(link is external)
- Epidemiology (MPH, MS)(link is external)
- Biostatistics (MPH, MA)(link is external)
- Goldman School of Public Policy
- School of Social Welfare
Important Application Fee-Waiver Step
Deadline: November 15
Action Required: By November 15, applicants should enter their basic demographic information and designate at least two recommenders within the UC Berkeley graduate application portal to receive an invitation to request an application fee waiver.
Note: Waivers are limited in number, and 15 November marks the fee-waiver eligibility window—not the final department admission deadline.
Step-by-Step Application Workflow
Explore Eligible Programs: Review UC Berkeley’s participating graduate Master’s departments (spanning engineering, business, public health, public policy, environmental design, and development engineering).
Submit Fee-Waiver Details: Complete the preliminary demographic and recommender details in the graduate application portal by November 15.
Apply for Admission: Submit your complete graduate admission application by your target program’s official deadline. (If a department has multiple admission cycles, apply during the first round).
Departmental Nomination: Academic departments review applications and nominate competitive candidates.
Supplemental Scholarship Application: Nominated candidates will be invited in February to complete the supplemental Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application.
Interviews & Selection: Shortlisted finalists participate in virtual interviews through March, with final scholarship decisions communicated by late March or early April.
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