2023 Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships For Young Africans
The University of Oxford, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), is offering fully-funded scholarships to 400 young African scholars who wish to pursue a taught Master's degree in pandemic preparedness and recovery-related programs. The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship Program aims to support passionate, locally rooted, and globally minded African students to undertake graduate studies at the University of Oxford, UK.
This scholarship program is grounded in the shared values of collegiality, empathy, commitment, inclusion, and community, which are held by the Mastercard Foundation and AfOx. It is part of the broader AfOx Graduate Scholars Program, which seeks to enable African students to access opportunities at Oxford and thrive both during and after their time at the University.
The scholarship will fund a rigorous one-year taught Master’s course at Oxford, providing the scholars with relevant technical, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills and connecting them to world-leading resources in their respective sectors. The program includes support and preparation for students to take up their studies, intensive emphasis on life skills beyond academia, and support for a lifelong network of alumni.
To be eligible for this scholarship, interested applicants must submit their application to the University of Oxford via the graduate admissions portal by the deadline for their chosen course of study, indicating that they wish to apply for AfOx funding. It is recommended that they submit their application form and all supporting documents at least one week before the earliest deadline for their course.
The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and living expenses for international students, as well as logistics support, including an economy return flight, visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees, settling down allowance, and access to a Thrive Fund for emergencies.
In the first year, the scholars will undertake a rigorous academic Master’s course at Oxford and participate in a Leadership and Impact Program that will help them develop collaborative leadership qualities to build cross-sector, interdisciplinary solutions to address complex social and environmental problems.
Upon completion of their Master's program, scholars will be supported to take up 4-6 months placements in leading Africa-based organizations for their Ubuntu Period of Service. During this period, they will work on initiatives in Africa, receiving mentoring from leading Africa-based academics and practitioners, enabling them to develop pathways to building impactful careers in Africa.
Scholars will benefit from a bespoke Leadership and Impact Program delivered in partnership with the Skoll Centre for Social Enterprise and tailored academic and social support throughout their studies. Beyond their studies, Scholars will join the AfOx Alumni Network, where they can continue to draw on and contribute to the community of African Scholars linked to the University of Oxford.
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship emphasizes explicitly groups who have historically been under-represented, including but not limited to female scholars, people from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and disabled scholars. Necessary residence considerations will be made for students from refugee and displaced backgrounds.
Prospective applicants can apply to the Afrisoc Mentoring program for support with Oxford Applications and potential fee waivers for countries not eligible for the application fee waiver. If there are concerns about the application fee, they can email afox@ndm.ox.ac.uk before submitting their application through the Applicant Portal.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed virtually before decisions are made, and the timelines will be communicated at the interview stage. This scholarship program presents an excellent opportunity for young African scholars to pursue their academic aspirations, build leadership skills, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and Africa at large.
DEADLINE: NOT SPECIFIED.
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