Serve Africa

Scholarship information and University and Secondary School rankings

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, UC Berkeley

By

  • The vision of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is to educate and develop bright yet economically marginalized young people in Africa who have a demonstrated “give-back” ethos and will contribute to the transformation of the continent.

Scholarship Overview

  • The MCFSP provides next-generation leaders with access to quality education by delivering comprehensive financial, social, and academic support throughout their university studies, and helping them with the transition to further studies, or into the workforce.
  • The program transforms promising young people from beneficiaries to benefactors, preparing them with the values, knowledge, skills, and leadership to fuel economic and social progress across Africa.

Host School(s)

  • Study at University of California, Berkeley.
  • UC Berkeley is the world’s premier public university. You will study with Nobel laureate faculty at top research facilities, meet the best students from the United States and around the globe, and graduate with a qualification that introduces you to a family of more than 450,000 alumni.

Field(s) of Study

  • Architecture (M. Arch)
  • Art (MFA)
  • Business Administration (MBA – which needs additional funding from the Haas Scholarship)
  • City &Regional Planning (MCP)
  • Development Practice (MDP)
    Education (DMS, EMST, or MUSE)
  • Energy & Resources (ERG)
  • Engineering (M. Eng, MS)
    • Master of Engineering (M. Eng), various concentrations
    • Master of Science Civil and Environmental Engineering (MS)
    • Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MS)
    • Mechanical Engineering(MS)
  • Folklore (MA)
  • Journalism (MJ)
  • Information Management and Systems (MIMS)
  • Public Health(MPH), various concentrations
  • Public Policy(MPP)
  • Social Welfare (MSW)

Note that application deadlines are dependent on the program selected.

What does the scholarship cover?

This scholarship covers all costs associated with completing a Master’s degree, i.e.

  • Berkeley student fees
  • Tuition fees
  • Visa and SEVIS fees
  • Living expenses
  • Travel costs
  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Cohort signature programs which focus on leadership topics

How many scholarships are given?

  • MCFSP Undergraduate scholarships at UC Berkeley were discontinued in 2016.
  • The MCFSP aims to support 113 students at UC Berkeley from 2012 to 2020, with current emphasis being on Graduate Studies.

Which countries are targeted?

  • Botswana           Burkina Faso                Côte D’Ivoire
  • Ethiopia             Ghana                             Kenya
  • Liberia                Malawi                           Mozambique
  • Nigeria               Rwanda                          Senegal
  • South Sudan     Sudan                              Swaziland
  • Tanzania            Togo                                Uganda
  • Zambia               Zimbabwe

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To apply for the MCFSP at UC Berkeley, you must:

  • Be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country –If you have refugee status, are stateless, or have other questions regarding your citizenship, you may still be eligible. Please contact UC Berkeley directly to clarify.
  • Excel academically –All Prospective Scholars must first be admitted to UC Berkeley to be considered for the Scholarship. An important criterion for admission to this University is demonstrated academic excellence.
  • Come from an economically disadvantaged background–This Scholarship is designed for those incredibly talented individuals who have no other means of acquiring the further education required to help realize their dreams and ambitions.
  • Have demonstrated the will to give back to your community, country, or continent– UC Berkeley is looking for well-rounded students who are engaged in activities beyond the classroom. These activities may be directly related to your field of study, but may also include other issues (social, economic, political) that you are working on and passionate about. Applicants should elaborate on their achievements in their application to UC Berkeley, and later on in the Scholarship application.
  • Have expressed the desire and intention to return to your home country after completing your studies– MCFSP is looking for students who are engaged in and passionate about issues affecting their communities, and who will take advantage of their education at UC Berkeley to better equip themselves with the knowledge and training to address these issues upon return. While important work can be done from abroad, the intention of this Program is to enable Scholars to return home after forming valuable professional connections through internship and job placements.

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

  • Graduate degree seekers must first be admitted to the university through the regular admissions process before they will be considered for the MasterCard Foundations Program Scholarship.
  • Once students apply for University admission, the Program will invite them to apply for the Scholarship if they meet eligibility requirements. Please refer to the Apply page for more information on the application process.
  • The minimum graduate admission requirements are:
    • A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
    • A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and
    • Sufficient undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.
    • Three letters of recommendation

Closing Date

  • The deadline for applications is course dependent. Contact UC Berkeley for more details.

How do I get more information?

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