Application MASTERS Studies MCFSP UWC 2025

MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

Applicationfor Master’s Degree Studies: Enrolment January 2025
CLOSED

APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 (16H30 CAT)
Dear Prospective Candidate,

We are pleased that you’re considering studying at the University of the Western Cape as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily young Africans, to pursue their higher education and cultivate their leadership potential. The Program is specifically targeted towards talented young people whose access to higher education is impeded by economic and social barriers, and it places a particular emphasis on reaching young women, refugees and forcibly displaced youth, and young people living with disabilities, who are encouraged to apply.

For the academic year 2025, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of the Western Cape will support master’s degree level study for a maximum period of 2-years for promising candidates in the following fields/disciplines:
- Humanities & Arts (Applied Linguistics, History, Gender Justice, Migration Studies, Sociology for Development);
- Community & Health Sciences (Public Health);
- Economic & Management Sciences (Development Studies, Information Sciences and Migration Studies);
- Law (Governance and Human Rights);
- Natural Sciences (Biological, Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
To be eligible for this Program, you must satisfy the following four criteria:
1. Be no older than 30 years for the postgraduate master’s degree;
2. Meet the University's minimum admissions requirements (for program-/discipline-specific information, visit www.uwc.ac.za);
3. Be ready to begin your first year of registration for full-time master’s study in 2025.
4. Provide evidence that access to university studies is impeded by social and economic barriers.
By completing this application, you are taking the first step in a process that will allow us to learn more about you, your achievements, and your long-term goals as a potential Mastercard Foundation Scholar. We encourage you to carefully read the application guidelines before completing the form.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please note the following steps that must be followed:
1. As a new student you must first apply to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for admission in 2025 for the degree that you wish to study. Upon application you will receive an Application Number.
2. Use the Application Number to complete this Application Form.
The method of application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is via the online form submission. The Program does not accept paper-based applications and any exceptions will only be made on a case by case basis. Should you have any queries please contact ssganda@uwc.ac.za. Please note that no duplicate applications will be accepted.

A selection committee will review all applications and shortlist a set of applicants for interviews. All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed either in person or virtually.

Communication to the selected Scholars will be done by Friday, 15 November 2024.
1. A completed application should include the following in PDF format:
  A cover letter (saved with the name: Initial.Surname_Cover_Letter) stating the following:
  a) Personal background including family financial position.
  b) Why you chose UWC.
  c) Where you see yourself after graduation.
2. Copies of your academic records (saved as in the above example: Academic Records). Applicants must submit copies of all academic records such as high school certificate/s and certified copies of all university-awarded degree/s.
3. A letter of recommendation (saved as above: Recommendation Letter) from your supervisor or head of department/school. The letter must be current, official, and signed
4. One recent passport size photograph (Photograph).
5. A certified copy of your national identity document or passport (saved as above: Identity Document or Passport), including, where applicable, the visa page and/or refugee/asylum seeker permit.
For queries please contact ssganda@uwc.ac.za
Confirmation*

I confirm that I have thoroughly read and understood all the details provided in the call for applications, and I agree to comply with the stated requirements and guidelines.

1. Are you no older than 30 years at the time of application?*

YesNo

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Unfortunately you don't qualify to apply for the Program as you have indicated that you are older than 30 years of age.

We wish you the very best in your search for scholarship opportunities.and academic endeavours.

Yours sincerely,

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UWC.

A. PERSONAL DETAILS

I consent to the University of the Western Cape processing my personal information for the purposes of this application and for purposes of this Program.
University of the Western Cape Application Number for the Academic Year 2025*
First Faculty applied to*
First programme choice applied for (ARTS)*
First programme choice applied for (CHS)*
First programme choice applied for (EMS)*
First programme choice applied for (LAW)*
First programme choice applied for (NSCI)*
Second Faculty applied to (if applicable)
First programme choice applied for (ARTS)
First programme choice applied for (CHS)
First programme choice applied for (EMS)
First programme choice applied for (LAW)
First programme choice applied for (NSCI)
Full Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Date of Birth*

DayMonthYear
Date
Age at the time of application*
Gender*
Marital Status*
Number of Children (if any)
Nationality*
Country of Birth*
Country of Citizenship*
Country of residence at the time of application*
Place of residence at the time of application*
Email address*
example@example.com
Mobile phone number (Including country code)*

Country CodeArea CodePhone Number
Permanent Physical Address*

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry of residence
Primary language spoken*
Other languages*
How did you learn about the scholarship?*

For non-South African citizens kindly provide the following information:
Do you have a passport?
If YES, Passport Number
Passport issued by (Country)
Date of Issue

DayMonthYear
Date
Date of Expiry

DayMonthYear
Date
Please attach a copy of the relevant page(s) of your passport to this application

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For refugees/asylum seekers kindly provide the following information (where applicable):
1. Refugee/Asylum Seeker status
2. UNHCR Number
3. Do you live in a camp or as an integrated refugee?
4. If in a camp, please name the camp responsible for your integration
5. If integrated, please give details of residence and contact details of persons/organization

For displaced youth, kindly provide the following information:
Letter from the relevant government authority stating reason and nature of displacement

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For persons with disability, kindly provide the following information:
Are you registered with any disability organization/s?
If YES, name of the organization/s?
Nature of disability
Please attach a copy of your disability registration form/card (if applicable)

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Please indicate any special accommodation and other needs that you may require

B. ACADEMIC INFORMATION

I consent to the University of the Western Cape processing my personal information for the purposes of this application and for purposes of this Program.
Name of high/secondary school attended*
Physical address (Location)*
Year of completion*
High/Secondary school examination system*

Subjects passed and Grade(s) obtainedType a question*

	SUBJECT	GRADE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

School type*
Have you ever studied at a university or any tertiary institution?*

Type a question

	Dates attended	Name of institution	Sponsor (if any)	Qualification obtained
University
College
Other

If you were admitted and dropped out, please give reasons and attach the supporting evidence
Please upload all supporting documents, e.g. copies of degree certificates

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Who paid for your high school education?*
If other; please state who paid your fees

C. FAMILY INFORMATION

I consent to the University of the Western Cape processing my personal information for the purposes of this application and for purposes of this Program.
SECTION 1: Parents or Guardians

Click on the tabs below to complete the relevant information

PARENT/GUARDIAN #1
Full Name*

Firsts NameMiddle NameLast Name
Relation to you*
Occupation*
Estimated income per month (South African Rands)*
Highest level of education attained*
Mobile Contact Number*

Country CodeArea CodePhone Number
Email*
example@example.com
Physical Address*

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry of residence

PARENT/GUARDIAN #2
Full Name

Firsts NameMiddle NameLast Name
Relation to you
Occupation
Estimated income per month (South African Rands)
Mobile Contact Number

Country CodeArea CodePhone Number
Highest level of education attained
Email
example@example.com
Physical Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry of residence
SECTION 2: SIBLINGS

SIBLING INFORMATION

Please list the names, levels of education, gender and ages of any brothers/sisters you have, even if they don't live in your household.

	Full Name	Gender	Age	Highest level of education/degree attained	Occupation/Employment	Monthly income (South African Rands)
Sibling 1
Sibling 2
Sibling 3
Sibling 4
Sibling 5
Sibling 6
Sibling 7
Sibling 8
Sibling 9
Sibling 10

D. SHORT NARRATIVES

I consent to the University of the Western Cape processing my personal information for the purposes of this application and for purposes of this Program.
1. Describe your previous leadership experience in terms of positions held and other activities.*
2. State any awards and honours received: (for example, academic award; outstanding leadership award, community service award, etc.) (Attach the relevant evidence below).*
Attach awards and honours received

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3. Career wise, what is your long term goals, and how will your proposed program of study contribute to achieving those goals?*

E. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

I consent to the University of the Western Cape processing my personal information for the purposes of this application and for purposes of this Program.
The vision of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is to develop the next generation of global and African leaders with a strong commitment to social justice.
1. Describe your participation in any voluntary/community activities and related experiences during the recent past and at present.*
2. Describe your aspirations for social change and how you plan to contribute to social change through your participation in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program*

F. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATION

I consent to the University of the Western Cape processing my personal information for the purposes of this application and for purposes of this Program.
1. UPLOAD OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

When submitting your application, all documents must be scanned in PDF format and named accordingly (e.g. for the Cover Letter: Initial.Surname_Cover _Letter.pdf) and then uploaded via the links below.
Cover Letter*

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Copies of your academic records (Academic Records)*

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Letter of recommendation (Recommendation Letter)*

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One recent passport size photograph (Photograph)*

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Copy of your national identity document or passport (Identity Document or Passport)*

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2. CERTIFICATION
I First Name Last Name hereby certify that all information contained in this application is truthfully and accurately presented by myself, and give my permission to the University of the Western Cape to obtain any verification deemed necessary to process my application. Finally, I acknowledge that completing this application form does not guarantee the award of a scholarship.

Signature Date
Prior to submission, please review your completed application form to ensure all sections have been completed and you have included all the required supporting documents. Incomplete submissions will not be processed.

Note: Submitting a completed application does not guarantee an award of scholarship.
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MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

A. PERSONAL DETAILS

B. ACADEMIC INFORMATION

C. FAMILY INFORMATION

D. SHORT NARRATIVES

E. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

F. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATION