At CMU-Africa, education isn't just about learning; it's about transformation. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme has made this transformation possible for many talented young minds who might otherwise have been hindered by financial constraints. In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, CMU-Africa offers a unique opportunity for students to pursue postgraduate programmes in Information Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering or Artificial Intelligence Engineering. This programme is about more than education; it's about nurturing leaders who will drive positive change across the African continent.
Empowering African Leaders
CMU-Africa is part of a global network of 33 Scholars Programme partners, all committed to nurturing Africa's future leaders. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme was launched at CMU-Africa in 2016 and has since been a catalyst for social and economic transformation. This programme is not just about providing financial assistance; it is about creating transformative leaders who are actively involved in their communities.
Holistic support
The programme offers comprehensive support, including:
- Financial support: Scholars receive assistance covering application preparation, orientation, tuition and fees, health insurance, travel and basic living expenses. They also have access to resources that promote their well-being and academic success.
- Career preparation: Scholars benefit from personalised activities that prepare them for the job market. Throughout their studies, they engage in professional development activities such as internships, career fairs and networking with industry leaders. Individual career coaching prepares them to pursue their goals after graduation.
- Leadership Development: Leadership is a central component of the programme. Scholars hone their leadership skills through student clubs, community service and various programmes designed to mould them into agents of change. They undergo specialised leadership training sessions to ensure they have the cutting-edge skills needed to lead with distinction.
- Giving back: Scholars embody the spirit of giving back. They lead and participate in community service activities, develop impact projects and collaborate with the CMU-Africa community to make a difference in the lives of others.
Academic Criteria
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme is aimed at individuals who have faced social and economic barriers but exhibit exceptional qualities:
- Academic Talent: Academics value learning and are driven to complete their training.
- Commitment to Giving Back: The students demonstrated their dedication to improving their communities.
- Potential to lead: academics are destined to be role models, mentors and agents of change in their respective fields.
To be eligible for the Scholars Programme, students must first gain admission to one of CMU-Africa's degree programmes.
Transforming Lives
The impact of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme goes beyond the classroom. It moulds futures, empowers leaders and leaves an indelible mark on communities. By nurturing the talents of these scholars, CMU-Africa and the Mastercard Foundation are fostering a generation of change agents who will lead Africa to a brighter future.
There are two steps to apply to UMC-Africa:
Important requirement: In response to the current global COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be accepting GRE scores in this admissions cycle.
Dates to remember
Important dates for applying to CMU-Africa and understanding the admission decision process
1st October: All applications for the programme are now open. Start your application for the MSIT, MSECE, MSEAI programmes
15 December: Early admission deadline. Submit your application by the early admission deadline of 15 December to CMU-Africa to cover your competency test fees. Find out more about test fees
15 January: Application deadline. Any application received after the early admission deadline will only be considered if submitted with a valid DET/IELTS/TOEFL.
January to April: Applications are analysed. After the application deadline, all application components are analysed
April-May: Admission decisions are shared with applicants. You will receive email communications from the admissions team about the status of your application at all stages. You can also view the status of your application via the application portal.
July-August: The New Student Foundation Programme is run for admitted students. This programme supports new students in a successful transition to CMU-Africa
September: Semester begins for admitted students. The Academic Calendar serves as Carnegie Mellon University's source of information and planning document for students, faculty, staff and departments, as well as external organisations. The calendar includes enrolment dates, class start dates, add/drop deadlines, exam dates and much more. See the CMU-Africa academic calendar
The admissions team at CMU-Africa takes a holistic approach to admissions decisions, based on all aspects of your application.
