by Last verified: 12 October 2026. We checked these University of Edinburgh scholarships against the university’s official funding and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program pages.
The biggest news in University of Edinburgh scholarships right now is timing. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for 2027/28 invites eligible applicants on 13 October 2026, and its Applicant Declaration Form closes on 19 October 2026 at 17:00 UK time, or earlier if it reaches its limit. So if you are an African graduate, act now. This guide also covers Edinburgh’s India Merit Scholarship, the Beit Trust award and PhD funding.
University of Edinburgh scholarships at a glance
| Scholarship | Who it is for | Value | Key date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (2027/28) | Residents and citizens, or refugees, of African countries | A full scholarship for on-campus or online postgraduate study | Declaration form closes 19 October 2026 |
| India Merit Scholarship (2027/28) | Self-funded students domiciled in India with an Indian degree | £5,000 (five thousand pounds) off first-year tuition | Automatic; accept your offer by its deadline |
| Beit Trust and University of Edinburgh (2027/28) | Only Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe | See the Beit Trust website | Opens 1 December 2026; closes 12 February 2027 |
| Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships | PhD students starting in 2027/28 | See the official page | Check the official page |
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Edinburgh
This is the University of Edinburgh scholarship most of our African readers search for. According to the programme, the on-campus scholarship covers full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, a living cost stipend and study materials. There are also online postgraduate scholarships.
Eligibility for 2027/28
- You must be a resident and citizen of an African country, or hold refugee status in one.
- You must be 35 or under in the year the programme starts, which means born on or after 1 January 1992.
- You need roughly the equivalent of a UK 2:1 Bachelor’s degree, and you must upload your degree certificate and final transcript by 19 November 2026.
- You must show you have faced significant barriers to education or early career.
- You need a track record of leadership and service in your community, plus experience of, or ambition for, tackling the climate crisis.
- Master’s applicants must not already hold a postgraduate degree.
The programme particularly encourages women, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and people with disabilities to apply.
2027/28 timeline
- Information sessions: 15 to 24 September 2026 (mandatory).
- Invitations to eligible applicants: 13 October 2026.
- The Applicant Declaration Form closes on 19 October 2026 at 17:00, or earlier if it reaches its limit.
- The Postgraduate Assessment and Scholarship Main Application forms close on 19 November 2026 at 17:00.
- Interviews: February to March 2027, with outcomes at the end of March 2027.
- Study starts in September 2027.
Because the information sessions were mandatory, check your email for an invitation if you attended one. The programme also warns that its timeline may change depending on application volumes.
India Merit Scholarship
For Indian students, Edinburgh offers £5,000 (five thousand pounds) off first-year tuition for 2027/28 full-time, on-campus taught Master’s study. Notably, you do not apply separately; instead, Edinburgh assesses you with your programme application.
- You must be domiciled in India, have international fee status and be fully or partly self-funded.
- Your undergraduate degree must be studied and awarded in India and meet minimum grades. For example, most programmes need a 10-point CGPA of 9.0 or 80% on a percentage scale.
- However, you cannot combine it with another Edinburgh scholarship or a full scholarship, and online degrees are excluded.
Beit Trust and University of Edinburgh Scholarship
For nationals or permanent residents of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Beit Trust offers Master’s scholarships at Edinburgh. Applications open on 1 December 2026 and close on 12 February 2027 at 17:00 CAT. You apply through the Beit Trust website, which sets out what the award covers.
Worked example: a Kenyan graduate in October 2026
To illustrate, imagine Wanjiru, a 29-year-old environmental science graduate in Nairobi, who attended an information session in September:
- On 13 October she checks her email for her invitation.
- She submits the Applicant Declaration Form well before 19 October, since it may close early.
- She uploads her degree certificate and transcript and completes the main forms before 19 November.
- She prepares examples of her community leadership and climate work for a possible interview in early 2027.
Had she been born in 1991, however, she would not be eligible, because the age rule is strict.
How to apply for University of Edinburgh scholarships
- Identify your award. Check whether you need a separate scholarship application (Mastercard, Beit Trust) or are assessed automatically (India Merit).
- Apply for your programme. For automatic awards, your programme application is your scholarship application.
- Prepare documents early. Have your degree certificate, transcripts and references ready.
- Write your own statements. Our scholarship application guide explains how to show impact.
- Plan your visa. Read our UK student visa requirements guide once you have an offer.
Frequently asked questions
Are University of Edinburgh scholarships fully funded?
The Mastercard Foundation on-campus scholarship is, covering tuition, accommodation, travel, a stipend and study materials. In contrast, the India Merit Scholarship is a £5,000 discount. For more options, see our fully funded Masters scholarships list.
Can Nigerians get University of Edinburgh scholarships?
Yes, through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which is open to citizens and residents of African countries. Edinburgh’s international funding page lists no Nigeria-only award. Our Commonwealth Scholarship guide covers another fully funded option.
I missed the information session. Can I still apply for the Mastercard scholarship?
The programme says the session was mandatory for 2027/28 applicants. So contact the programme directly, and otherwise plan for the next cycle.
Official sources
- Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – Application timelines
- Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – Eligibility
- Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation – On-campus postgraduate scholarships
- Edinburgh Registry Services – India Merit Scholarship
- Edinburgh Registry Services – Beit Trust Scholarship
- Edinburgh Registry Services – Funding for international students
Scholarship terms change. Always confirm details on the official pages before you apply.
