The Sciences Po MasterCard Scholarships for international students, target students who exemplify academic excellence and strong leadership potential, yet confront financial barriers hindering their access to higher education. These scholarships are specially tailored for those individuals who aspire to effect substantial and enduring change in addressing critical issues, notably in the realms of public policy, major political transformations, environmental concerns, and societal shifts.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program pursues three overarching strategic goals: furnishing specialized support to students, cultivating their soft skills beyond the academic realm, and fostering a robust alumni network.
Summary of the Scholarship
The scholarship’s core details are as follows:
- Country Of Study: France
- Continent: Study in Europe
- Course Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Sub-Saharan African Countries
- Perks: Full Scholarship | Monthly Stipends | Accommodation | Airfare Tickets
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline for Submission: November 26, 2023
Scholarship Details
Since 2017, Sciences Po has been collaborating with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, aligning itself with three other prestigious European universities: Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh. This partnership has paved the way for 138 students from Sub-Saharan Africa to enroll in social sciences degree programs at Sciences Po. The primary aim is to equip these students to become catalysts of change in their home countries.
The Mastercard Foundation is dedicated to providing inclusive and high-quality education to young people in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the ultimate goal of ensuring their access to dignified and rewarding employment opportunities. Under the ambitiously designed “Young Africa Works” strategy, the Foundation aspires to help 30 million African youth find employment or engage in entrepreneurship by 2030. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, with Sciences Po as a valued partner, plays a pivotal role in this endeavor by granting African youth access to top-tier education.
Scholarship Requirements
- To qualify for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship, candidates must satisfy the following criteria:
- Be a resident or citizen of a country in Sub-Saharan Africa, either legally residing in the region or demonstrating temporary residence while studying or working elsewhere.
- Exhibit a strong commitment to instigating change in Africa and making a meaningful impact in the domains of public policy, major political shifts, environmental concerns, and societal transformations.
- Evident need for financial support for higher education, substantiated by documentation of financial circumstances.
- Furnish a recommendation from their university.
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (or its international equivalent) by the following academic year.
- Applicants pursuing one-year Master’s programs, dual degree programs, or joint Master’s programs are ineligible for the scholarship.
- Attain a minimum of C1 level proficiency in French or English, depending on the program’s language requirements ( see the language requirements for each programme).
- Not possess or be working towards a prior Master’s degree.
- Be below the age of 35 at the beginning of the graduate academic year.
Scholarship Duration and Reward
These scholarships encompass the complete cost of tuition and living expenses in France for the duration of the study at Sciences Po. In addition to financial support, Sciences Po offers various specialized resources to aid scholars in their academic journey and transition into the professional world.
This includes support in pre-departure, housing in Paris reserved for scholarship recipients, personalized academic support, career guidance, mentorship programs, and access to general academic resources provided by Sciences Po.
Required Documents
- Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents:
- Personal information
- A letter of recommendation from their university’s academic advisor to endorse their application.
- Comprehensive information and evidence regarding their financial circumstances.
- Details about their academic record and extracurricular achievements.
- A statement outlining their diverse experiences and perspectives on issues specifically affecting Africa, along with a plan to effect positive change on the continent. The quality of this statement plays a crucial role in the scholarship allocation process.
Method of Application
The application process involves three essential steps:
STEP 1: Requesting Eligibility For The Scholarship
Candidates should initially verify their eligibility for the scholarship by providing the requisite information on the scholarship website. After the application undergoes assessment by the scholarship staff, applicants will receive confirmation of their eligibility status.
If declared eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, candidates are exempt from the processing fee for their Sciences Po application.
This step must be completed by November 26, 2023, to secure eligibility for the scholarship and waive the processing fee for the Sciences Po application (deadline: December 3, 2023).
STEP 2: Applying to Sciences PO (Main Admissions Procedure)
Applicants must adhere to the international graduate admissions procedure to apply to Sciences Po. Those who meet the eligibility criteria can commence their application to Sciences Po (step 2) concurrently with their eligibility request for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship (step 1).
However, the Sciences Po application should only be submitted after receiving confirmation of scholarship eligibility and the waiver of the application processing fee. This ensures that the application is submitted without the need for a fee.
The application to Sciences Po must be submitted by December 3, 2023.
STEP 3: Admission to Sciences PO and warding of The Scholarship
Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their Sciences Po application between February 10 and February 22, 2024. The results of their scholarship application will be communicated on March 8, 2024.
Please note that admission to Sciences Po does not guarantee the allocation of the scholarship. Additionally, deferring admission to Sciences Po for the following year will result in the forfeiture of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.
Deadline: November 26, 2023
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