Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at University of Rwanda 2026/2027: 170 Undergraduate Scholarships
The University of Rwanda (UR), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has announced a call for applications for 170 full undergraduate scholarships under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The call is for Cohort 5 and targets African students with limited access to higher education opportunities. The programme particularly focuses on supporting young people, including females pursuing STEM fields, young people with disabilities, refugees and displaced youth.
Scholarship Overview
- Scholarship: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- University: University of Rwanda
- Level: Undergraduate
- Academic Year: 2026–2027
- Cohort: 5th Cohort
- Total Scholarships: 170
- Application Deadline: 12 October 2026
- Application: Online
- Programme: Full scholarship
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to African students who have limited access to higher education opportunities.
According to the call, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of Rwanda to benefit from the national scholarship quota.
- Or be a citizen of another African country, a refugee, or displaced youth in Africa.
- Be academically qualified and have limited access to opportunities.
- Be not above 28 years old at the time of application.
- Applicants with certified proof of protracted life conditions may be eligible up to 30 years, including refugees, single mothers and child-headed families.
- Meet the University of Rwanda admission requirements for an eligible programme.
- Have generated a UR Reference Number and applied for admission to the University of Rwanda in one of the eligible programmes.
- Demonstrate commitment to leadership and community engagement or transformation initiatives.
Refugees and applicants with disabilities are expected to provide legal proof of their status from UNHCR, NCPD or another duly recognized organization.
Eligible Programmes and Number of Scholarships
The call provides 170 scholarships across selected undergraduate programmes at different University of Rwanda campuses.
Nyagruenge Campus – College of Science and Technology
41 scholarships are available, including:
- BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Electrical Power Engineering – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Transportation Engineering – 3
- Bachelor of Architecture with Hons – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Environmental Planning & Management – 2
- BSc (Hons) in Urban and Regional Planning – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry – 2
- BSc (Hons) in Applied Mathematics – 2
- BSc (Hons) in Applied Physics – 2
- BSc (Hons) in Statistics – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Computer Engineering – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Information Technology – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Information Systems – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Mining Engineering – 3.
Huye Campus
The document lists 8 scholarships under the College of Business and Economics, including:
- BSc (Hons) in Economics – 2
- BBA (Hons) in Transport & Logistics Management – 2
- BSc (Hons) in Business Information Technology – 2
- BBA (Hons) in Accounting & Finance – 2
The College of Medicine and Health Sciences has 87 scholarships, including programmes in Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Clinical Psychology, Dental Therapy, Anaesthesia, Midwifery and Nursing.
The College of Arts and Social Studies has 8 scholarships, covering programmes including Creative and Performing Arts, English and African Languages, Law and Social Work.
Busogo Campus
The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences has 9 scholarships, including:
- BSc (Hons) in Crop Production – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Food Science & Technology – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Horticulture – 3.
Nyagatare Campus
The College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences has 9 scholarships, including:
- BSc (Hons) in Aquaculture & Fisheries Management – 3
- BSc (Hons) in Animal Production – 3
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine – 3.
Rukara Campus
The College of Education has 8 scholarships, including:
- BEd (Hons) in Computer Science – 2
- BEd (Hons) in Science (Physics-Chemistry) – 2
- BEd (Hons) in Special Needs Education – 2
- BEd (Hons) in Early Childhood Education – 2.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is described in the call as a comprehensive scholarship managed by the University of Rwanda.
The scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees.
- On-campus accommodation.
- Laptop.
- Learning materials.
- Annual return ticket allowance.
- Monthly stipend.
- Psycho-social support services.
- Internships with industry for professional development.
- Academic mentorship, virtual learning and tutoring.
- Career development services.
- Professional development and enterprise development opportunities.
- Leadership and community service opportunities.
- Participation in activities connecting scholars with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni and Global Scholars Community.
How to Apply
Applications are made online through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars recruitment platform at the University of Rwanda.
The application instructions state that applicants should:
- Read all application instructions before starting.
- Prepare the required supporting documents.
- Complete the online application form.
- Attach all required documents.
- Ensure the documents are named with the applicant’s names and reference number.
- Save documents in PDF format, with the specified file-size requirement.
- Review all fields and attachments carefully before submitting.
- Submit the application only after all required information has been completed.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship application is:
12 October 2026
The call also states that the application process is ongoing and that applicants can start their applications while gathering supporting documents.
Important Information for Applicants
Applicants should use active telephone numbers and email addresses because they will be used to communicate important information about the application.
The selection process may include an oral interview conducted by independent panels. The programme also indicates that selected applicants may receive on-site visits to their homes.
The call states that no charges, fees, facilitation, agents or intermediaries are required at any stage of the application process. Applicants who provide false information or attempt to influence the process may be disqualified.
Successful scholars are expected to become leaders and change-makers and maintain close communication with the University of Rwanda for at least five years after completing their studies. Funding is subject to satisfactory academic performance and annual renewal.
Scholarship Support Contacts
Emmanuel Kamanzi
UR Admission and Registration Specialist
Tel: +250 788736530
Email: admissions@ur.ac.rw
Dr. Odette UWIIZEYE
Registrar, University of Rwanda
Tel: +250 788304391
Email: registrar@ur.ac.rw
Jean Baptiste MUGIRENZA
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR
Tel: +250 783016900
Oscar MUVANDIMWE
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Tel: +250 788488272
Email: o.muvandimwe@ur.ac.rw
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