Applying for scholarships can feel daunting, and one question often lingers: How Will This Program Help Your Career Answer? As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alumna, I frequently encounter this question, especially when applications open. To provide clarity, I’ve compiled a detailed guide based on my experience with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh. This article will walk you through the program’s offerings, eligibility criteria, and even includes an essay example from my successful application to illustrate how you can articulate your own career aspirations and how this scholarship can be instrumental in achieving them.
Keep in mind that program details and processes can evolve, so always refer to the official program websites for the most current information. However, the insights shared here are adaptable and broadly applicable, even if you’re considering other scholarship opportunities. For those who prefer visual or auditory learning, numerous video resources are also available online that offer alternative perspectives on scholarship applications.
Discovering the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh is designed to empower the next generation of African leaders through transformative education. It offers two distinct pathways: on-campus postgraduate scholarships for a one-year immersive experience in Edinburgh, and online postgraduate scholarships enabling part-time study over three years while residing in your home country. Online scholars also have the option of a part-time postgraduate diploma over approximately two years. Currently, the scholarships are focused on Masters degrees. My personal journey has been as an on-campus scholar in Edinburgh, pursuing an MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
What Career Advantages Does the Scholarship Offer?
My insights primarily stem from the on-campus scholar experience, providing the most direct context.
“All Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the University of Edinburgh will participate in a Climate Leadership Program, and the scholarship is dedicated to fostering a community of talented, entrepreneurial, and compassionate leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa.”
This program is more than just financial aid; it’s a comprehensive support system designed to accelerate your career trajectory. As a scholar, the Mastercard Foundation provided full tuition coverage, round-trip flights, TOEFL and visa application fees, and assistance with logistical arrangements. Upon arrival in Edinburgh, we received accommodation, living and study stipends, and access to a wealth of enriching experiences. These included regular events and seminars designed to broaden our perspectives and build professional networks, retreats to the inspiring Scottish Highlands for leadership development and team building, dedicated pastoral care for mental well-being, and consistent engagement with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team. We were also provided with laptops and the opportunity to participate in a summer school at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, along with monthly business idea competitions to foster entrepreneurial thinking.
As one of the on-campus scholar representatives, I had the privilege to attend a Scholars Council Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, in early 2024, interacting with Mastercard Foundation Scholars from diverse global regions. My dissertation focused on creating a business, a capstone project that the Foundation actively supported, even funding my travel to Nigeria for essential market research.
Alt text: Scholar facilitating workshop in Nigeria, demonstrating leadership and communication skills gained through Mastercard Foundation program.
While my experience is personal, the core benefits are consistent for all scholars. Fellow scholars have participated in study trips to Peru and secured company-based dissertation placements in Mexico, highlighting the diverse opportunities available. The University of Edinburgh team is exceptionally dedicated to ensuring every scholar thrives and achieves their individual goals. They are truly deserving of recognition for their commitment.
Preparing a Strong Application: Addressing “How Will This Program Help Your Career?”
Understanding the extensive benefits, the next step is preparing a compelling application that clearly answers the question: how will this program help your career answer? While the acceptance rate for on-campus scholarships is competitive, typically between 0.5% and a slightly higher percentage depending on the year, a well-crafted application significantly increases your chances. Refer to the program FAQs for the most accurate and up-to-date acceptance statistics.
Who is the Ideal Candidate? Highlighting Your Unique Strengths
Do you need an extensive online presence to be a successful applicant? Not necessarily. While online platforms can be valuable for showcasing your work, they aren’t a mandatory requirement. I know scholars who established their LinkedIn profiles only after receiving the scholarship and others who maintain minimal online profiles. What truly matters is the strength of your application and your potential, not your online footprint. The program recognizes that exceptional candidates may come from backgrounds with limited internet access or may prioritize offline engagement. The program actively seeks to support refugees and individuals who demonstrate strong ambition and meet the core criteria. I’ve met scholars who have built schools and led impactful initiatives in rural communities, demonstrating leadership and impact in tangible, offline ways.
Key Requirements and Eligibility: Matching Your Profile
It’s crucial to review the official program website for the most current and comprehensive eligibility criteria. Generally, the requirements include:
- Facing Barriers to Education and Early Career Progression: The program targets individuals who have overcome significant obstacles in their educational and professional journeys.
- Undergraduate Degree: Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and possess a degree certificate and official transcripts for upload with their application.
- Sub-Saharan African Citizenship or Refugee Status: Applicants must be citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Demonstrated Leadership and Community Service: A proven track record of leadership and service within your community is essential.
- Age Limit: Applicants typically need to be under 35 years of age.
- Climate Crisis Impact Ambition: Demonstrated experience or a strong ambition to contribute meaningfully to addressing the climate crisis is a key focus.
- No Prior Postgraduate Degree: Applicants for Masters programs should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree.
Relevant Program Options: Aligning Your Studies with Your Career Goals
The University of Edinburgh offers a diverse range of Masters programs relevant to the Scholars Program’s mission. For the 2025/2026 academic year, on-campus programs include:
- Africa and International Development
- Food Security
- Sustainable Energy Systems
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Data, Inequality and Society
- Operational Research
- Environmental Sustainability
- Climate Change Finance and Investment
- Planetary Health
- Environment and Development
Online study options offer flexibility and include both Masters and Diploma programs in areas such as:
- International Development
- Global Food Security and Nutrition
- Global Challenges
- Carbon Management
- One Health
- Circular Economy
- Sustainable Lands and Cities
- Social Justice and Community Action
If your desired field of study isn’t available at the University of Edinburgh, explore the official Global Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website for a wider network of partner universities worldwide, offering programs at institutions like EARTH University, African Leadership University, University of Oxford, and University of Toronto.
Crafting Your Essays: Articulating Your “Why” and Career Trajectory
Once you’ve identified a course aligned with your interests, experience, and career aspirations and confirmed your eligibility, the essay questions become central to your application. These questions may vary slightly each year but consistently aim to understand your motivations and how the program fits into your future.
My decision to pursue Entrepreneurship and Innovation stemmed from a desire to understand how to build scalable and adaptable business and organizational systems. Prior to applying, I had dedicated 6-7 years to developing BlankPaperz Media, organizing workshops, volunteering, and leading the GC Fund to support entrepreneurial training for young Nigerians. BlankPaperz had already reached over 100,000 users and received recognition from organizations like Ashoka, We Are Family Foundation, and the US Department of State. My role as Communications Manager for the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) further solidified my practical experience. I sought a Masters program to complement my practical experience with theoretical frameworks, focusing on socially conscious business models and leadership development within a supportive community like the Scholars Program.
It’s important to note that successful applicants come from diverse backgrounds, including those who apply directly after their undergraduate studies. The selection process values a balanced cohort.
[
Alt text: Scholar pictured with colleagues in early career, highlighting early leadership experiences relevant to scholarship application.
Therefore, deeply consider your “why.” Understanding your motivations is crucial for writing compelling essays and confidently answering interview questions. Reflect on how this scholarship will directly contribute to your career goals and articulate this clearly in your application.
Deconstructing Essay Questions: A Strategic Approach
Let’s analyze a sample essay question:
“Reflecting on your life so far, tell us how you meet the key selection criteria for the Scholars Program. You should include information on your academic achievements and barriers to education you have faced. We are particularly welcoming applications from those who identify as women, refugees (or displaced), and/ or those with disabilities as we understand that these groups face barriers to education. If you identify with any of these characteristics, please reflect this in your answer, with as much detail as you are comfortable sharing.”
Here’s a step-by-step approach to tackle such questions:
-
Time Management: Begin writing your essays well in advance of the deadline. Allow ample time for drafting, refining, and seeking feedback.
-
Word Limits: Pay close attention to word limits. A seemingly broad question, like the example above, might have a concise word limit, such as 250 words.
-
Unpacking the Question: Break down complex questions into smaller, more manageable sub-questions. In our example, the core components are:
- How do you meet the key selection criteria? (Eligibility, suitability for the scholarship, alignment with program goals).
- What are your academic achievements as an undergraduate? (Academic excellence, relevant initiatives, extracurricular activities, self-driven learning).
- What challenges have you faced in your education or early career? (Overcoming obstacles, resilience, personal growth).
Important Note: Avoid generic sob stories. Authenticity and uniqueness are key. Focus on demonstrating resilience and resourcefulness rather than dwelling on hardship for sympathy. In my application, I took a different approach. I acknowledged my privileged access to quality education and emphasized how this foundation motivated me to create BlankPaperz and contribute to the education of others. This demonstrated a proactive and impactful approach to giving back.
[
Alt text: Scholar facilitating a writing workshop for students, showcasing commitment to education and community development, skills relevant to career goals.
Deep Dive Research: Understanding the Foundation’s Vision and Your Fit
Go beyond the essay questions and delve into the Mastercard Foundation’s mission and vision. Explore their website, watch videos featuring the CEO and alumni, and identify key themes and values. Understand what qualities they seek in scholars and how the University of Edinburgh aligns with these values. Articulate how your personal mission resonates with the Foundation’s goals.
After this in-depth research, draft your answers to the unpacked sub-questions. Keep the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or CARL (Context, Action, Result, Learning) frameworks in mind as you structure your responses. At this initial stage, focus on getting your ideas down without excessive editing. Let your passion and genuine voice shine through.
STAR and CARL Frameworks: Structuring Your Narrative
STAR Method:
- Situation: Describe the context or situation you faced.
- Task: Explain the task or responsibility you had.
- Action: Detail the actions you took.
- Result: Highlight the outcomes of your actions and what you learned.
CARL Framework:
- Context: Set the scene and provide background.
- Action: Describe the actions you took.
- Result: Explain the results of your actions.
- Learning: Reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Refining Your Answers: From Draft to Compelling Essay (With Example)
You might initially write significantly more than the word limit. Don’t worry; this is a natural part of the process. After drafting, take a break, then return with a fresh perspective for editing. This is where the STAR/CARL frameworks become particularly valuable. They help you structure your narrative concisely and effectively, ensuring every word contributes to a coherent story.
Below is an excerpt from my own successful essay application, demonstrating how to address multiple aspects of a question within a limited word count:
Mirabelle’s Essay Example:
“I was drawn to how new-media innovations and social entrepreneurship could change viewpoints, invariably, transforming systems, after reading Adichie’s “Purple Hibiscus” at 13. Because it fascinated me how someone in the business of storytelling could disrupt mindsets⏤positively! I became thrilled to find innovative solutions to pressing human needs that by my second undergraduate year, I volunteered as course representative for ‘Entrepreneurship Studies 1’, facilitating communication between professors and hundreds of undergraduates; then helped connect my university’s ENACTUS team to a local primary school⏤as the team’s media and publicity officer⏤on a project to provide water-resistant school bags from discarded billboard banners to low-income pupils. The banners were reused, books were shielded and a local artisan was employed to produce bags, applying circular and doughnut economy models which encouraged regenerative economic activities and reduced waste.” – Mirabelle Morah
In this excerpt, within just 133 words, I addressed my early influences, academic interests, and practical initiatives, demonstrating alignment with the program’s focus on innovation, social impact, and sustainability. The subsequent part of my essay elaborated on academic challenges and recognitions, completing a comprehensive answer within the 250-word limit.
[
Alt text: Scholar speaking on a panel at Social Enterprise World Forum, demonstrating public speaking and thought leadership skills developed through program.
Deconstructing the Example: Key Elements
Let’s break down my essay example to understand its effectiveness:
- Background and Motivation: I started by referencing my undergraduate background in English and Literary Studies and my shift towards business, specifically Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
- Passion for Storytelling and Social Impact: I highlighted my interest in creative media and storytelling, inspired by Chimamanda Adichie’s “Purple Hibiscus,” and how this led to the creation of BlankPaperz Media at age 17 to share stories of African innovation and impact. This directly links my passion to social entrepreneurship.
- Alignment with Program Values: I emphasized my interest in businesses that prioritize “people and planet first,” reflecting the Scholars Program’s focus on social responsibility and climate leadership. My experience at the Social Enterprise World Forum further reinforced this alignment.
- Practical Experience and Skill Demonstration: I referenced my involvement with ENACTUS and the school bag project, showcasing practical application of circular economy and doughnut economics principles, demonstrating relevant skills and knowledge.
Crafting Your Own Narrative: Putting it All Together
Now it’s your turn. Use my example as a guide to unpack your own experiences and articulate your story. Be ruthless in cutting unnecessary words and focus on the most impactful details. Even if your initial draft is lengthy, refine it progressively. Remember, other essay questions provide opportunities to showcase different aspects of your profile, so avoid repetition and ensure each essay section contributes unique information. If you do need to touch on similar points, find ways to connect them thematically and build a cohesive narrative.
If storytelling is a key interest, perhaps a subsequent essay could detail how you plan to leverage storytelling and design to support NGOs and amplify their impact – as I did with my dissertation project.
Maintaining Focus: Thematic Cohesion in Your Application
Maintain a thematic focus throughout your application. Avoid presenting a disjointed profile. For example, applying as a musician who also sews and wants to open a mechanic shop lacks a clear focus. Instead, demonstrate a clear aim, aligned ambitions, and a coherent career trajectory.
Regarding ambitions, it’s perfectly acceptable if you feel you haven’t achieved significant milestones yet. Remember, the eligibility criteria include “experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis.” Leverage your past experiences (internships, volunteer roles) to articulate your ambitions and how you plan to use your existing knowledge and new learning to address specific problems. Focus on one or two specific challenges rather than attempting to solve everything at once.
[
Alt text: Scholar at Techstars Startup Weekend, University of Edinburgh, team won business plan award, highlighting entrepreneurial skills and program benefits.
Additional Tips for a Standout Application
- Show, Don’t Tell: Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points rather than making general statements.
- Quantify Impact: Where possible, use numbers to demonstrate the scale and impact of your achievements.
- Incorporate Testimonials (Optional): Brief quotes from others who can vouch for your skills or impact can strengthen your application.
- Seek Feedback: Have trusted individuals review your essays for clarity, coherence, and impact.
- Authenticity and Personal Voice: Let your personality shine through. While achievements are important, the reviewers want to understand who you are as an individual and what this program means to you personally. Focus on the actions and motivations behind your achievements.
- Seek Guidance from Scholars: Look out for Mastercard Foundation Scholars who often host online sessions to guide applicants. These are invaluable resources.
- Manage Expectations: Be patient when seeking guidance from individuals. Understand that people are busy, and they may only be able to direct you to helpful resources rather than providing personalized mentorship.
Words of Encouragement: Believe in Your Potential
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” Don’t disqualify yourself before you even apply, unless you realistically don’t meet the fundamental eligibility requirements.
[
Alt text: Scholar at Oxford University Skoll World Forum, networking and engaging with global leaders, showcasing career advancement opportunities.
I created this resource to address the numerous inquiries I receive about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, aiming to provide comprehensive guidance and save time on repetitive individual responses. These are suggestions and examples from my personal experience, but remember to be unique and develop your own approach. There isn’t a single “right” way to apply.
Explore other resources on YouTube for diverse perspectives on essay writing. I wholeheartedly encourage you to apply. If you contact me, I will share this article and any relevant upcoming information sessions I am aware of. For specific questions, reach out to the University of Edinburgh program team for the most up-to-date details.
In my opinion, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is exceptional, blending transformational leadership development, community engagement, knowledge exchange, and academic excellence for young African leaders.
[
Alt text: CEO of Mastercard Foundation Reeta Roy with University of Edinburgh Scholars, partners, and team, emphasizing community and collaborative environment.
Best of luck in your application! I hope to see you at the top! Please share this resource with others who may find it helpful.
P.S. I initially drafted this article on a train journey to an event featuring Chude Jideonwo, focused on thriving in new environments and building community – an event also organized by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh.
Hi, I’m Mirabelle! I specialize in motion designs and data-driven communication strategies, particularly for social enterprises and changemakers focused on impact. You can find more about my work on my website: www.mirabellemorah.com
#MastercardFoundation #MastercardFoundationScholarsProgram
