Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda (UR) are now open for the 2025–2026 academic year!
This program is dedicated to supporting highly talented, service-oriented young Africans, including refugees, displaced persons, and persons with disabilities, by providing the opportunity to pursue higher education while developing leadership potential and a commitment to community transformation.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers comprehensive support to students, including full tuition fees, paid on-campus accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, a return ticket allowance, and a monthly stipend for the duration of the program. In addition, the program provides psycho-social support, industry internships, academic mentorship, virtual learning, tutoring, and access to career development services. Scholars will also have opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community service, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be citizens of any African country, a refugee, or a displaced young person in Africa. They must be academically qualified and meet the admission criteria for eligible programs at the University of Rwanda. The minimum entry requirements specific to each academic program offered by the University of Rwanda in all Colleges and Campuses are published on the UR Website. However, the University of Rwanda academic programs are highly competitive with limited places; therefore, admissions will be based on academic merit (performance in Advanced Level National Examinations or Equivalence).
- Applicants must also demonstrate leadership potential and community engagement, show critical social and/or economic need or have a disability, and be prepared to “Go Back” and/or “Give Back” to their communities. Refugees and individuals with disabilities must provide legal proof of their status.
- For undergraduate applicants, candidates must be 28 years or younger at the time of application (or up to 30 for those with certified proof of a protracted life condition such as refugees, single mothers, or members of child-headed families). For postgraduate applicants, males must be 40 years or younger, and females must be 45 years or younger.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted online through the University of Rwanda admissions portal. Visit www.ur.ac.rw, click on the “Admissions” section on the main menu bar, and follow the steps as indicated.
- For national applicants who completed Senior Six from 2012 to 2024 click on “New Application” and continue the application process as indicated;
- For all international applicants as well as national applicants who completed Senior Six before 2012, complete the biographical information to generate the Reference Number and create a PIN, and then upload the required documents using the link https://efiling.ur.ac.rw/applicants (Certified copy of your Equivalence in the Rwandan system and a copy of your valid Passport for applicants with foreign qualifications, Certified copy of your Senior Six (S6) Certificate of Secondary Education, and a Copy of your National ID card for national applicants);
- Please record your Reference Number and PIN before taking any further steps;
- After generating your Reference Number, pay a non-refundable fee of 5,000 RWF (for Rwandan and EAC applicants) and 6,000 RWF for Non-EAC applicants;
- After payment of the application fees, continue the application process after 10 to 15 minutes; Go back to the online application portal, login through Registered Users at the right side of the student portal by inserting your Reference Number and PIN;
- Proceed with the indicated steps up to submission of your application.
The detailed guidelines for applications are published on UR Website.
Application Fees and Payment
The application fee is 5,000 RWF for Rwandan and EAC applicants, and 6,000 RWF for Non-EAC applicants. Payments should be made through the Urubuto System using your Reference Number at Bank of Kigali (BK) counters, via MTN Mobile Money by dialling 7755#, through the BK App or internet banking, or online at https://urubutopay.rw/pay-now using Merchant Code: TH77306981 and your Reference Number as the Payer Code. Please do not pay through BK Agents.
Key Dates: The application deadline is 16 July 2025, and shortlisted candidates will be notified via email.
Important Notes:
- Applicants are encouraged to apply for a refugee ID and refugee travel document from the Department of Home Affairs, as these will be required if selected and accepted into the program.
- Please note that UNHCR is not involved in the selection process but may provide support to selected students.
- For any questions or additional information, please contact us at [email protected].
We encourage all eligible candidates to apply for this life-changing opportunity.