The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po aims to support talented African students through their studies and to offer the next generation of leaders a world-class social science education, so they can go on to become changemakers in their home countries. The scholarships offered in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation are merit-based scholarships for students from sub-Saharan African countries with an outstanding academic record and strong leadership potential, but who face financial and other barriers to higher education.

What You Need To Know About Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po 

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po aims to support 120 talented African students through their studies and to offer the next generation of leaders a world-class social science education, so they can go on to become change-makers in their home countries. Over six years (2017 – 2022), the Scholars Program will fund:

20 scholarships to complete the Sciences Po Bachelor of Arts program, Africa specialization40 scholarships to complete a Master’s program at one of our seven graduate schools60 scholarships reserved for Mastercard Foundation Scholars studying at other partner universities and who would like to attend Sciences Po Summer School.

Level/Field of Study

This scholarship is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Thus, the scholarships are open for Global Education

Host Nationality

The scholarship is to be taken in FRANCE. Read also if you wish to study outside your home country Simple and Detailed Answers about Applying and Winning a Scholarship.

Eligible Nationality:

Applicants from Sub-Saharan African countries are eligible to apply: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Democratic Republic), Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarships are awarded to students from sub-Saharan African countries with an outstanding academic record and strong leadership potential, but who face financial and other barriers to higher education.The scholarships are awarded for a period of three years for the Bachelor’s degree, two years for the Master’s degree and one month for the Summer School. They cover the full cost of tuition fees at Sciences Po and living costs in France during the study period.As well as funding their studies, Sciences Po will offer scholars a specific suite of resources to ensure they have appropriate academic support and to facilitate their transition from education to employment:

An orientation programme and individualized academic advising throughout their studies at Sciences PoA mentoring programme offered in collaboration with the Africa Division of Sciences Po AlumniCareer guidance and support: an online job platform dedicated to professional opportunities in Africa (internships and first jobs), access to our business incubator and the network of employers and alumni working in Africa, and specific career workshops.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po Eligibility

Entrance Requirements: Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Candidates must apply online on a dedicated website. There are two steps to the application:

First, candidates provide personal information and a letter of recommendation from the Sciences Po partner institution which is supporting their application through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.After this first step to assess eligibility, applicants receive an email inviting them to complete the rest of the application: information on their financial situation, their educational background and extra-curricular experiences, and their plans for the future.

Eligibility for the scholarship is determined in light of candidates’ academic record and socio-economic situation.

Undergraduate Candidates

Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

You must be a resident and citizen of a Sub-Saharan African countryYou must be in your final year of high school and not yet have started a post-secondary educationYou must have a very good level of French and English – minimum level B2 (see language requirements)You must study in one of the institutions partnered with Sciences Po for the program and provide a letter of recommendation from this institution (see the list of registered partners below)You must demonstrate a track record of leadership and/or service within your communityYou must be able to show that you lack the financial means to pursue higher education

Graduate Candidates:

Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

You must be a resident and citizen of a Sub-Saharan African countryYou must have completed your undergraduate studies at a foreign higher education institution and have at least a Bachelor’s degreeMinimum C1 level in English or French depending on the program you are applying to (see language requirements)You must study in one of the institutions partnered with Sciences Po for the program and provide a letter of recommendation from this institution (see list of registered partners below)You must demonstrate a track record of leadership and/or service within your communityYou must be able to show that you lack the financial means to pursue higher education

Summer School Candidates:

Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

You must be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African countryYou must currently be a Mastercard Foundation scholar at a Mastercard Foundation partner institutionYou must be supported by an institution partnered with Sciences Po under the programme (see the list of authorized partners below)You must demonstrate a track record of leadership and/or service within your community

English Language Requirements: The language requirements depend on the program you are applying to. When needed, test results must be attached directly to the online application. For Undergraduate programs:  You must have a very good level of French and English – minimum level B2 (see language requirements) and for Graduate Candidate: Minimum C1 level in English or French depending on the program you are applying to (see language requirements).

Application Procedure For The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po:

Scholarships are awarded in collaboration with a network of partner institutions authorized to nominate candidates. There are two steps to the application:

First, candidates provide personal information and a letter of recommendation from the Sciences Po partner institution which is supporting their application through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.After this first step to assess eligibility, applicants receive an email inviting them to complete the rest of the application: information on their financial situation, their educational background and extra-curricular experiences, and their plans for the future.Candidates who are eligible for the scholarship must then apply to Sciences Po by 15 Jan. Please note: the application must be submitted at least six weeks before the chosen interview date.

Applications Deadline: Deadlines to apply are January 15 every year, for the Master’s scholarship, January 31 each year, for the Bachelor’s scholarship and February 18 each year, for the Summer School scholarship. For More Information: Candidates who are eligible for the scholarship must then apply to Sciences Po.

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