Ashesi University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027: Fully Funded Undergraduate Opportunity for African Students
Are you a talented young African student with strong academic potential, leadership aspirations, and financial need? The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Ashesi University in Ghana offers an opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree with comprehensive financial, academic, leadership, and career support.
Applications are currently open for eligible students seeking to study at Ashesi University, located in Berekuso, Ghana. The programme is implemented through a partnership between Ashesi University and The Mastercard Foundation and is designed to help talented young people access quality higher education and develop the skills, networks, and leadership capacity needed to contribute positively to their communities and societies.
According to the information provided for this opportunity, the application deadline is 16 November 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT.
About the Ashesi University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Ashesi University supports academically talented young people who have demonstrated leadership potential and require financial assistance to pursue higher education.
The programme goes beyond tuition support. Selected Scholars can receive financial assistance together with academic guidance, mentoring, leadership development, career counselling, professional development opportunities, and support during the transition from university into the workforce.
This makes the programme particularly valuable for students who have the academic ability and ambition to succeed at university but face financial barriers to accessing higher education.
Ashesi University is located in Berekuso, Ghana, and its undergraduate programmes are generally four-year, full-time programmes delivered in English.
Learn more about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Ashesi University
Scholarship Benefits
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Ashesi provides comprehensive financial and student support.
Successful Scholars may benefit from:
- Full tuition and academic fees
- Accommodation
- Meals and living support
- Books and learning materials
- Transportation support
- Living stipend
- Comprehensive academic and student support
- Mentoring and leadership development
- Career counselling and career development
- Internship and professional development opportunities
- Support during the transition into university and into the workforce
- Opportunities for community engagement and giving back to society
The programme is therefore not simply a tuition scholarship. It is designed to provide a broader support system that can help Scholars succeed academically, develop leadership skills, prepare for employment, and contribute to their communities.
ELIGIBILITY CRETERIA
Applicants should meet the undergraduate admission requirements of Ashesi University and demonstrate the qualities sought by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme.
Applicants must generally:
- Be applying for an undergraduate programme at Ashesi University.
- Demonstrate strong academic potential.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to making a positive impact.
- Demonstrate a financial need for assistance to pursue university education.
- Meet Ashesi University's relevant academic admission requirements.
- Provide certified translations of documents that are not in English, where required.
- Provide evidence of English-language proficiency where applicable.
Meeting Ashesi University's academic admission requirements does not automatically guarantee scholarship selection. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme is competitive, and applicants must demonstrate that they meet the scholarship's broader selection criteria.
Academic Programmes Available at Ashesi University
The scholarship opportunity is available for undergraduate study at Ashesi University.
The programmes listed in the provided information include academic opportunities in areas such as business, economics, computing, technology, and engineering.
Business and Economics
- Business Administration
- Economics
Computing and Technology
- Computer Science
- Management Information Systems
Engineering
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
Applicants should consult Ashesi University's current programme catalogue when completing their application because programme availability and admissions information can change for different academic years.
The provided information indicates that Ashesi's undergraduate programmes are generally four-year, full-time programmes taught in English.
Requirements for International Students
International students can apply to Ashesi University, including students from other African countries.
The application information specifically indicates that the admissions system allows applicants to select their citizenship, including Rwanda, meaning Rwandan students can apply as international applicants.
International applicants should carefully review the university's requirements before submitting their applications.
If academic documents are written in a language other than English, applicants may need to provide certified English translations.
Students whose previous education was not conducted in English may also be required to demonstrate English-language proficiency through an accepted examination such as TOEFL or IELTS, where applicable.
International applicants with non-Ghanaian examination results may also be required to have their academic results validated by the relevant Ghanaian accreditation authority.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the documents required for the Ashesi undergraduate admission application.
These may include:
- Completed application form
- High school transcripts or report cards covering at least six terms
- Secondary-school examination results or an equivalent qualification
- Personal essays or statements required as part of the application
- English-language proficiency evidence, where applicable
- Certified translations of academic documents that are not in English
- Additional supporting documents requested by Ashesi University during the application process
Applicants should ensure that their documents are accurate, complete, and prepared according to the university's instructions.
Application Fee for International Applicants
According to the information provided, Ashesi University's current undergraduate admissions page lists an application fee of US$25 for international applicants.
Applicants should confirm the current fee and payment instructions directly through Ashesi University's admissions platform before submitting their application.
It is also important to pay attention to the admissions calendar. The provided information states that scholarship and international applications are not accepted during the Late Admissions period.
For this reason, prospective applicants should avoid waiting until the final stages of the admissions cycle.
How to Apply for the Ashesi Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
Applicants should begin by reviewing the Ashesi University undergraduate admission requirements and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme information.
Step 1: Review the Eligibility Requirements
Make sure you meet the academic, leadership, financial-need, and other requirements before beginning the application.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Gather your academic transcripts, examination results, personal statements or essays, identification documents where required, English-language test results if applicable, and certified translations where necessary.
Step 3: Complete the Ashesi Application
Open the Ashesi University application platform and complete the required sections carefully.
Provide accurate information about your academic background, citizenship, educational history, leadership experience, and other requested information.
Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents
Upload or submit the required documents according to Ashesi University's application instructions.
International applicants should pay particular attention to document translation and certification requirements.
Step 5: Complete the Scholarship Process
Applicants interested in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme should follow the scholarship-specific instructions provided by Ashesi University and ensure that all required scholarship information is submitted.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
The stated application deadline is: 16 November 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
Important Information for Rwandan Students
Rwandan students are among the international applicants who can explore this opportunity.
Students from Rwanda should carefully review the international applicant requirements, particularly those concerning:
- Academic documents
- English-language proficiency
- Certified translations
- Examination-result validation
- Application fees
- Application deadlines
- Scholarship-specific requirements
Before submitting an application, applicants should verify the latest requirements directly with Ashesi University because admissions policies and programme information can be updated.
Why This Scholarship Is an Important Opportunity
Access to quality higher education can be difficult for talented students who face financial barriers. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme addresses this challenge by combining financial assistance with academic, leadership, mentoring, and career support.
For a successful Scholar, the experience can extend beyond earning a university degree. The programme provides opportunities to develop leadership capabilities, gain professional experience, build networks, engage with communities, and prepare for the transition into the workplace.
Students interested in engineering, computing, business, economics, and related fields may find Ashesi University particularly relevant because of the range of undergraduate programmes available.
Students preparing for international university applications may also need to demonstrate English-language proficiency depending on the requirements of their chosen university and educational background.
If you are preparing for an English-language proficiency examination, The Light of Engineering also provides coaching support for the Duolingo English Test.
Applicants should always check the specific English-language test requirements of Ashesi University before registering for or submitting any examination result.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 16 November 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT
Do not wait until the last day to prepare your application. International applicants should allow sufficient time to obtain academic documents, complete translations or certifications where required, prepare personal essays, and address any additional application requirements.
How to Access the Application
Open the official Ashesi University application information and follow the instructions provided for undergraduate applicants and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme.
Applicants should rely on Ashesi University's official admissions information for the latest application requirements, programme availability, fees, and submission procedures.
Final Advice to Applicants
The Ashesi University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme is a competitive opportunity. Applicants should therefore focus on presenting a complete and authentic application that clearly demonstrates their academic potential, leadership experience, aspirations, financial circumstances, and commitment to creating positive change.
Before submitting your application:
- Review all eligibility requirements carefully.
- Prepare your academic documents early.
- Ensure that required translations are properly certified.
- Check English-language requirements.
- Prepare thoughtful and authentic personal essays.
- Review your application carefully before submission.
- Confirm the latest application fee and admissions requirements.
- Submit your application before the deadline.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme can provide much more than financial assistance. For selected students, it can provide a structured pathway combining university education, mentorship, leadership development, professional preparation, and community engagement.
Application Deadline: 16 November 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT
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