Eligible African students who are interested in studying a two years masters degree program in France starting from the 2027 academic session but lack the financial capacity to do so are invited to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 at Sciences Po.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 at Sciences Po is a fully funded Masters Scholarship designed for students from the African continent who wish to pursue a two-year Master’s degree at Sciences Po. The Program covers the full financial needs of selected Scholars and provides comprehensive support throughout their two years of study at Sciences Po.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold the citizenship of an African country. Applicants holding dual citizenship that includes citizenship of a country outside the African continent are not eligible.
- Be currently completing, or already hold, a Bachelor’s degree from one of the universities on this list of institutions.
- Or, be currently completing, or already hold, a Bachelor’s degree and have participated in a recognised bridge programme or mentoring programme offered by one of the approved organisations (see the list of institutions).
- Or, be currently completing, or already hold, a Bachelor’s degree and currently hold, or have previously held, UNHCR refugee status.
- Be under 35 years of age on 1 September of the year in which the scholarship application is submitted.
- Not already hold, or currently pursuing, a Master’s degree.
- Be applying to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the first time.
The following are not eligible:
- Students currently enrolled at Sciences Po.
- Students currently enrolled in, or graduated from, a French higher education institution.
Scholarship Benefits
Scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and living expenses in France, throughout the recipient’s time studying at Sciences Po.
Tailored support
In addition to funding tuition, Sciences Po provides Scholars with a range of tailored resources to support their studies and facilitate their transition into employment. Specifically, Scholars have access to:
- Support in the run-up to leaving for France, tailored support when they arrive, and an official welcome programme to help them integrate in their first few weeks.
- Housing in Paris reserved for Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
- Personalised support throughout their studies, ensuring every student has the best possible experience at Sciences Po.
- Careers support: guidance to help students identify their professional aspirations; a careers fair focusing on employment and internship opportunities in Africa; access to the entrepreneurship track, the university’s business incubator (FR) and its network of employers and alumni working in Africa; opportunities to attend careers support workshops, conferences, etc.
- A mentoring programme co-run with the Africa Division of Sciences Po Alumni.
- Access to the wide range of general resources Sciences Po provides to guide students through every step of their studies.
Method of Application
Before starting your application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 at Sciences Po, you must consult the table of minimum academic results required to ensure that you meet Sciences Po’s academic eligibility requirements.
If you meet the Scholars Program eligibility criteria and the academic requirements to apply for a Master’s programme at Sciences Po, you may submit your application through the dedicated Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application platform.
Application Deadline:
- 23 November 2026 if you wish to receive your master’s admission decision by 11 February 2027.
- 14 December 2026 if you wish to receive your master’s admission decision by 1 April 2027.
For More Information: Visit the Scholarship Website.
