Mastercard Foundation Scholars MSc-HPE Programme 2025-2026
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars MSc-HPE Programme 2025-2026 at the University of Global Health Equity supports young African health educators who want to grow as leaders in health professions education. The deadline for applications is 30 November 2025. The focus is on talented students whose skills and promise are clear, but whose money situation makes further study hard.
The Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MSc in HPE) prepares health educators and leaders to design, teach, and review strong and fair health training programmes across Africa. This description applies to the study route that is fully funded by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars support.
About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars MSc-HPE Programme
This Mastercard-supported MSc-HPE route is designed for experienced educators and academic leaders who want to shape health professions education across Africa. Many aim to guide national HPE policy, lead universities and training centres, or add to the global research base on teaching and learning in health.
Graduates from this programme are ready to:
- Design and manage health education programmes.
- Lead teams that train future doctors, nurses, and other health workers.
- Add to the research base on HPE through study and writing.
- Influence policy and practice at local, national, and international levels.
The programme aims to build skilled professionals who can improve the quality of teaching and learning and support better health outcomes in their countries.
Programme structure and learning model
The MSc-HPE programme uses a blended model that mixes online learning with intensive in-person blocks. This means that students can keep some of their work roles while still gaining strong contact time with teachers and classmates.
Key features include:
- Online courses for theory and core content.
- In-person sessions for hands-on work, mentoring, and networking.
- A strong base in equity, quality, and local relevance.
The programme prepares health workers to become:
- Educators and lecturers.
- Curriculum leaders and course designers.
- Faculty development leads.
- Quality assurance champions.
- Educational researchers.
There is a special focus on learning that fits into real workplaces, on links with health and education policy, and on leadership skills. Graduates are well placed to lead reforms in health education at organisation, national, and regional levels.
Who can become Mastercard Foundation Scholars in this MSc-HPE route
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars route for this MSc-HPE programme has clear rules for who can apply.
Applicants must:
- Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
- Some exceptions are made for applicants with disabilities.
- Be residents and citizens of an African country, or hold refugee status in an African country.
- Have completed a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field.
- Official academic transcripts and degree certificates must be provided.
- Have professional experience in teaching, supervision, or educational leadership in a health-related higher education setting.
- Early-career applicants may show clear proof of teaching potential instead of long experience.
- Provide a signed and stamped recommendation letter from their employer, confirming:
- Support for their studies.
- Dedicated time to attend online and in-person sessions.
- Not already hold a master’s degree.
- Anyone who already has a master’s degree is not eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars funding route.
These rules help make sure that support reaches young professionals who have a clear link to health education and a strong chance to use the degree to serve their communities.
What Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive in this programme
For this MSc-HPE route, Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive full funding. The support covers the main costs linked to study, allowing students to focus on learning and service.
Scholars can expect:
- Full cover for programme tuition and fees, as set by the University of Global Health Equity.
- Support that makes it possible to attend both online and in-person learning sessions.
- Access to mentoring and guidance from UGHE faculty.
- A strong peer network of other Mastercard Foundation Scholars and HPE professionals.
With these supports, scholars are better able to balance work, life, and study while taking part in a demanding master’s programme.
Eligibility details for Mastercard Foundation Scholars applicants
To help students check their readiness, the key eligibility points can be seen in four simple areas:
- Age and status
- 35 years or younger, with some flexibility for applicants with disabilities.
- Citizen, resident, or refugee within an African country.
- Academic background
- Completed bachelor’s degree in a field linked to health.
- Able to provide full official transcripts and degree certificates.
- Professional experience and support
- Teaching, supervision, or education leadership experience in a health-related higher education setting is preferred.
- Early-career applicants should show clear signs of teaching ability or interest.
- Current staff must have a written and stamped employer letter that confirms support and allows time for study.
- Previous degrees
- No prior master’s degree if applying for Mastercard Foundation Scholars funding.
How to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars MSc-HPE Programme
The application process for this fully funded route is done online and must be completed in full.
Steps include:
- Complete the online form through the UGHE MSc-HPE application portal.
- This single form includes both the general MSc-HPE application and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars section.
- Applicants enter personal, academic, and demographic details, as well as the extra information required for Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
- Upload all required documents, which may include:
- Passport, national ID, or refugee ID.
- Academic transcripts.
- Degree certificates.
- Employer recommendation letter, if the applicant is currently employed.
Applicants should submit only one full and complete application. Multiple or incomplete submissions are not reviewed. For more detail about the degree, students can read the UGHE MSc-HPE programme page.
Why this MSc-HPE route matters for African health education
Health systems in Africa need skilled educators as much as they need skilled clinicians. This MSc-HPE route helps build that teaching strength. When a nurse, doctor, or other health worker gains strong education skills, each class they teach can shape many more health workers over time.
By focusing on equity, workplace links, and leadership, the programme supports scholars to:
- Improve how courses are planned and taught.
- Support fair access to quality health education.
- Guide new projects that respond to real health needs.
Through their roles in universities, training centres, and health systems, graduates can help train the next generation of health workers who will serve communities across Africa.
