Mastercard Foundation scholarships to study in France

This post is also available in: Français

The Mastercard Foundation Scholarships Program at Sciences Po, France, is now open for applications for the year 2022.

The Mastercard Foundation has created this scholarships program so that talented young Africans, regardless of their origin, can benefit from a quality education and pursue their ambitions. The Mastercard Foundation’s scholarships program accompanies them throughout their university education at Sciences Po, to enable them to become agents of change in their home countries.

The Mastercard Foundation is one of the world’s largest private foundations, its work guided by its mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. Based in Toronto, Canada, its independence was established by MasterCard at its inception in 2006.

About the Mastercard Foundation scholarships

LEVEL: Master and summer school.
DEADLINE: January 30, 2022 (master’s), February 28, 2022 (summer school).
FUNDING: Fully funded.
OPEN TO : Sub-Saharan African countries.
COUNTRY : France.
HOST UNIVERSITY : Sciences Po.

Benefits of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarships

The program provides scholarships for the two years of Master’s studies in one of Sciences Po’s seven graduate schools or four weeks for the summer school.

The scholarships cover the full cost of tuition at Sciences Po and living expenses in France during the period of study (master’s or summer school).

In addition to financing their studies, scholarship holders receive personalized support throughout their studies.

Eligibility for Mastercard Foundation Scholarships

The scholarships are intended for high school and college students who demonstrate academic excellence and strong leadership potential.

Both the master’s and summer school programs are open to the following applicants:

• Citizen of a sub-Saharan African country: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• You must demonstrate leadership and/or service experience in your community.

For the summer school, you must be currently enrolled in a university or in your final year of high school.

For the Master’s degree, you must have obtained at least a Bachelor’s degree.

The program has no minimum or maximum age. However, students who are admitted, but under the age of 18, will need parental consent to participate in the program.

Eligible master’s programs

Sciences Po offers 27 two-year master’s programs, each with a wide choice of concentrations. The first year is devoted to core courses, concentration courses and foreign language courses. The second year includes what is known as an “off-campus” semester, which can take the form of an internship, a study abroad trip or the writing of a research paper.

See the complete catalog of Sciences Po master’s programs.

The summer school at Sciences Po

Two tracks are available: Social Sciences and French Language.

Social Sciences track :

All courses are taught in English. Students may choose from the following social science courses for Summer 2022:

1. Media and Politics.
2. Economics for a Better World: Issues and Policies in Low-Income Countries.
3. World Politics.
4. Fighting Inequalities and Social Risks in the 21st century: A Global Perspective.
5. The Age of Economists.
6. The European Union at a Crossroads: Issues and Policies.
7. Global Diplomacy: Theory and Practice.
8. Racism, Identity and Diversity: An International Perspective.
9. A Rising Invisible Majority? Capital, Labour and the Welfare State in Contemporary Political Economy.
10. Sustainable Development and Climate Action: Global Challenges and Policy Options.
11. Contemporary Challenges to Democracy.
12. Human Rights and Global Development.
13. Human Security.

French language track :

Students in the French language track take courses at one of six levels, which cover learning French for beginners to advanced students.

Language requirements for the summer school

Applicants to the social science track who are not native English speakers must demonstrate advanced English proficiency with one of the following method :

• Option 1: Provide official language certification obtained within the last three years.
• Option 2: Proof of at least two years of study taught entirely in English.
• Option 3 : Take a Summer School English Language Assessment (free) and upload it as part of your application.

The French language tack welcomes students at all levels of French language learning, from complete beginner (level A1) to advanced (level C2). Students who wish to access the A1 level do not need to prove their level of French. For the other levels, you can provide as proof:

• Option 1 : provide an official language certificate obtained within the last three years (DELF, DALF, TCF…).
• Option 2 : Complete a Summer School French Language Evaluation and upload it as part of your application.

For the master’s program, the level of English or French required differs from one program to another. Check the program requirements for more information.

How to apply for the Mastercard Foundation scholarships?

Step 1 : Apply for the scholarships : Master track or summer school track.

Step 2 : Simultaneously, submit your application to Sciences Po, track : master’s degree (available) or summer school (will open on January 20, 2022).

Applicants will be required to provide the following documents as part of their application:

1. Identity card or passport.
2. Passport photo.
3. CV.
4. Basic academic information: Certificate of enrollment (if currently a student), academic transcript (required for current students, recommended for graduates), copy of previous degree(s) obtained (if applicable).
5. Language verification for applicants who are not native English speakers and/or who need to demonstrate their level of French for the French language track.
6. Explanation of motivation.

The summer school program is held in two separate sessions during the months of June and July. Students have the option of attending one or both sessions.

Master candidates will start their studies in September 2022.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more opportunities.

Apply for the scholarships Official website