Application Deadline: 2 February 2026
The University of Edinburgh (UoE), in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), is excited to announce that applications for the 2026/27 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program are now open. This call invites qualified candidates to apply for scholarships to pursue the MSc by Research in Sustainable African Futures, offered exclusively as an online programme.
Overview of the MSc by Research in Sustainable African Futures
This MSc by Research (MScR) degree in Sustainable African Futures is primarily delivered online and administered by the University of Edinburgh. It is part of the broader Wits-Edinburgh Programme in Sustainable African Futures (WESAF), which aims to cultivate advanced research skills focused on sustainability challenges relevant to the African continent.
Applicants should note that this recruitment cycle is solely for the online Masters programme. There is no associated funding available for the WESAF Doctoral Programme at this stage.
About the WESAF Doctoral Programme
The WESAF Doctoral Programme is designed to offer rigorous interdisciplinary research training to Fellows who aspire to address sustainability issues in Africa through an academic lens. This blended programme supports Fellows to complete a primarily online Masters followed by a largely online PhD doctorate.
While the degrees are mostly online, they incorporate essential in-person components such as sustainability schools held in South Africa, contact sessions in Edinburgh, and workplace-based internships. These elements are intended to deepen Fellows’ hands-on experience and collaborative learning.
Supervision throughout the programme is delivered jointly by academic staff from both the University of Edinburgh and the University of the Witwatersrand, leveraging expertise from both institutions.
The Programme plans to select an inaugural cohort of 50 Fellows from various faculties within African higher education institutions. These scholars will initially undertake the online MSc by Research to develop foundational research skills. Subsequently, at least 30 of these Fellows will continue to pursue doctoral studies, either full-time or part-time.
By emphasizing cohort-based learning and advanced training in research design and methodologies, the WESAF Programme seeks to nurture a dedicated group of African research specialists uniquely equipped to confront sustainability challenges from an African perspective. For more detailed information about the programme, Click here.
Eligibility Requirements
The scholarships target early career academics and university staff members who meet the University of Edinburgh’s criteria for entry into a social sciences Master’s degree programme. Applicants must fulfill the following conditions:
- Possess a completed university degree that qualifies for Masters-level admission at the University of Edinburgh (equivalent to a UK 2:1 Honours degree or its international equivalent).
- Demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to succeed in coursework. While the minimum requirement generally includes a specific IELTS score, applicants slightly below this threshold may receive support to meet the standard. However, a solid foundation in English is mandatory.
- Be either:
- a recent graduate from one of the 14 partner universities with a keen interest in academic or research careers, or
- actively engaged in research projects affiliated with one of the 14 partner universities, or
- a staff member at one of these partner institutions, including lecturers, early career researchers, or professional service personnel in arts and humanities.
- The last completed university degree should generally be within 3.5 years of the application date.
- Be aged 35 years or younger at the start of the programme. For the 2026/27 academic year, applicants must have been born on or after 1 January 1991. Individuals born in 1990 or earlier are ineligible.
- Hold citizenship, residency, or refugee status in an African country (including those in North Africa).
Application Guidance for the MSc by Research in Sustainable African Futures
When filling out the application form for the MScR Sustainable African Futures, please consider the following tips to ensure a smooth process:
- Save your progress frequently. The online form does not auto-save, so regularly saving your input is essential to avoid data loss.
- Use a desktop or laptop computer. Although the form can be accessed via smartphones, it is far easier and more reliable to complete on a larger screen device.
- Complete and submit fully. If using a smartphone, be sure to hit the ‘submit’ button once the form is complete; saving alone does not finalize your application.
- Submit the scholarship application before the university application. If the WESAF Scholarship is your primary or only scholarship interest at the University of Edinburgh, apply only for the scholarship first. Do not submit a direct application via UoE Admissions until officially invited.
For additional details and to preview the narrative questions included in the application form, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions at https://www.wits.ac.za/wesaf/.
