The University of Pretoria commonwealth scholarship 2026 offers a prestigious and fully funded opportunity for outstanding doctoral students from Commonwealth countries (excluding South Africa). This scholarship supports talented individuals who are committed to advancing research and innovation in their respective fields. With a generous annual stipend, coverage of tuition and living expenses, return airfare, and support services, this program is designed to empower future researchers to make significant contributions both in South Africa and globally. Applicants must secure a doctoral supervisor at the University of Pretoria and submit all required documents before the deadline. <br><br> Founded in 1908, the University of Pretoria (UP) is one of Africa’s top research-intensive institutions. Located in South Africa’s capital city, Pretoria, UP is known for academic excellence, global partnerships, and cutting-edge facilities. The university offers a wide range of postgraduate programs across faculties such as Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and more. UP’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and research development makes it an ideal place for international PhD candidates to pursue advanced studies and contribute to meaningful global change.<a href= https://mkscholars.com/courses target=“_blank”> 📚 Register now for our new programs at MK SCHOLARS. </a><br><br> <b>SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS </b><br> • Full tuition fee coverage for the entire doctoral program.<br> • Annual living allowance/stipend to cover daily living expenses in South Africa.<br> • Accommodation allowance (or on-campus housing may be provided).<br> • Return economy airfare from the scholar’s home country to South Africa.<br> • Medical aid/health insurance for the duration of the study.<br> • Research support including access to laboratories, libraries, and relevant academic resources.<br> • Support from the University’s Graduate Support Hub including academic writing, counseling, and mentorship services.<br> <div class="scholarshipTable"> <div class="tdiv">Discover related Topics</div> <a class="ta" target="_blank" href= https://mkscholars.com/courses > REGISTER NOW FOR CODING AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES AT MK SCHOLARS</a> <a class="ta" target="_blank" href= https://mkscholars.com/scholarship-details?scholarship-id=181&scholarship-title=MASTERCARD-FULL-SCHOLARSHIPS-AT-THE-UNIVERSITY-OF-RWANDA > MASTERCARD FULL SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA </a> <a class="ta" target="_blank" href= https://mkscholars.com/scholarship-details?scholarship-id=168&scholarship-title=FULL-SCHOLARSHIP-IN-CANADA-2026,-UNIVERSITY-OF-TORONTO. > FULL SCHOLARSHIP IN CANADA 2026, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO</a> <a class="ta" target="_blank" href= https://mkscholars.com/scholarship-details?scholarship-id=182&scholarship-title=FULLY-FUNDED-SCHOLARSHIP-IN-AUSTRALIA-2025-2026. > FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIP IN AUSTRALIA 2025-2026. </a> <a class="ta" target="_blank" href= https://mkscholars.com/scholarship-details?scholarship-id=153&scholarship-title=COMMONWEALTH-STARTUP-FELLOWSHIP-(CSF)-2025-PROGRAM > COMMONWEALTH STARTUP FELLOWSHIP (CSF) 2025 PROGRAM</a> </div> <br> <b>ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA</b><br> • Be a citizen of a Commonwealth country (excluding South Africa).<br> • Must apply for a full-time PhD program at the University of Pretoria, starting in 2026.<br> • Must have completed a Master’s degree within the past two years.<br> • Be under the age of 38 at the time of application.<br> • Secure a potential supervisor at the University of Pretoria who will provide a motivation letter.<br> • Must not be currently enrolled or have previously completed a Master’s or PhD at the University of Pretoria.<br> • Have your academic qualifications evaluated by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority).<br> • Demonstrate academic excellence and research potential.<br> • Must be able to meet UP’s admission requirements for the chosen PhD program.<br><br> <b>AVAILABLE PROGRAMS </b><br> Faculty of Law<br> Faculty of Humanities<br> Faculty of Education<br> Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT<br> Faculty of Health Science<br> Faculty of Veterinary Science<br> Faculty of Economic and Management Science<br> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences<br> Faculty of Theology and Religion<br><br> <b>REQUIRED DOCUMENTS</b><br> • Completed UP Commonwealth Doctoral Scholarship Application Form.<br> • Motivation letter from your prospective supervisor at the University of Pretoria.<br> • A one-page research proposal (summary of your intended PhD research).<br> • Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 3 pages).<br> • Study leave approval letter from your employer (if applicable).<br> • Clear copy of your valid passport.<br> • Certified academic transcripts for your previous qualifications (including Master’s degree).<br> • Two reference letters (from academic or professional referees).<br><br> <b>APPLICATION PROCEDURES</b><br> • Apply for admission to a PhD program at the University of Pretoria for the 2026 academic year <a href= https://www.up.ac.za/online-application target=“_blank”> here. </a>.<br> • Secure a potential supervisor at the University of Pretoria who agrees to supervise your research.<br> • Get your academic qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).<br> • Complete the official UP Commonwealth Doctoral Scholarship application form.<br> • Prepare all required documents (supervisor motivation letter, research proposal, CV, passport copy, transcripts, reference letters, study leave certificate if applicable).<br> • Combine all documents into a single PDF file.<br> • Email the complete application package to pgbursary@up.ac.za with the subject line “UP Commonwealth 2026”.<br> • Submit your application by September 20, 2025.<br> • Wait for notification of the scholarship decision, usually by November 2025.<br><br> <b>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION</b><br> • Selection is based on good grades, research ability, and leadership skills.<br> • The scholarship lasts for 3 years and can be extended in special cases.<br> • You can get extra funding from other sources, but the total should not go over R300,000 per year.<br> • You must show good academic progress each year to keep the scholarship.<br><br> <a href= https://mkscholars.com/courses target=“_blank”> 📚 Register now for our new programs at MK SCHOLARS. </a><br><br> <b>APPLICATION DEADLINE</b><br> Application Deadline : September 20, 2025<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> #Mkscholars #Scholarshipapplications #Studyabroad #StudyinSouthAfrica #UniversityofPretoria

Are you a young African student who dreams of studying at one of Africa’s top universities but cannot afford the costs? The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) at the University of Pretoria (UP) might be the perfect opportunity for you. This prestigious scholarship is designed for academically talented students who face financial challenges, including youth with disabilities, refugees, or internally displaced people. The program not only offers full financial support but also aims to shape leaders who will give back to their communities and help develop their countries. <br> <br> The University of Pretoria, located in South Africa, is one of the leading research universities in Africa. It offers high-quality education, a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and a supportive campus environment. Scholars in this program are empowered to grow academically and personally through mentorship, community service, and leadership development. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity to be part of a vibrant and innovative academic community! <br> <br> <b> SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS: </b> <br> <br> • Full tuition fees <br> • Accommodation and meals in University of Pretoria residence <br> • Books and other study materials <br> • Monthly living allowance <br> • Transport costs (if applicable) <br> • Medical insurance <br> • Support for travel to and from the home country <br> • Personal development programs, including leadership and community service training <br> <br> <b> ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: </b> <br> <br> • Be a citizen of an African country <br> • Have a strong academic record (minimum 70% GPA) <br> • Come from a disadvantaged background (low income, refugee, displaced person, or person with disability) <br> • Not already hold a degree for the level you are applying to (e.g., undergraduate applicants should not have a bachelor’s degree) <br> • Be applying for your first year of study at UP for 2026 <br> • Be willing to live in University of Pretoria residence <br> • Not hold any other scholarships, except UP achievement awards <br> • Must apply for a full-time degree (no part-time or non-degree programs) <br> <br> <b> AVAILABLE PROGRAMS: </b> <br> The scholarship is available for selected full-time undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the following faculties: <br> <br> • Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences <br> • Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences <br> • Faculty of Humanities <br> • Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment <br> • Faculty of Theology <br> • Law (Postgraduate: SADC countries only) <br> <br> <b> REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: </b> <br> You must upload one combined PDF with the following: <br> <br> • University of Pretoria provisional admission letter (if received before the deadline) <br> • Academic results (high school or prior degree) <br> • A certified copy of your passport/ID <br> • Income proof (salary slips, bank statements, affidavits) <br> • Death certificates (if applicable) <br> • Divorce decree or affidavits (if applicable) <br> • Birth certificates for applicant and siblings <br> • Proof of siblings’ tertiary enrollment (if any) <br> • Disability documentation (if applicable) <br> • Valid refugee permit (for refugees) <br> <br> <b> APPLICATION PROCEDURES: </b> <br> <br> 1. Apply for admission at the University of Pretoria by 30 June 2025 for undergraduate or 30 June 2024 for postgraduate studies. <b> Here's the </b> <a href= https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_hcc3BNctEp97hQnG6M1sInaqdFDGTiR/view?usp=sharing target=“_blank”> application fee waiver form </a> for students who cannot afford the university application fees form <br> 2. Download and complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application. <a href= https://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/650/2024/2024%202025%20forms/undergraduate-2026-form.zp263336.pdf target=“_blank”> undergraduate form </a> and <a href= https://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/650/2024/2024%202025%20forms/postgraduate-form.zp263706.pdf target=“_blank”> postgraduate form </a> <br> 3. Submit the scholarship application and all required documents as one PDF file to mcfsp@up.ac.za before the deadline. <br> 4. You must also apply for residence at the University of Pretoria. <br> <br> <b> For a detailed guide on the application process, please watch this instructional video </b> <a href= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGDabQeuP2g target=“_blank”> How to Apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.</a> <br> <br> <b> ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: </b> <br> <br> • You cannot apply if you already have a degree in the level you’re applying for. <br> • Applicants must not hold any other bursary or scholarship (except for UP achievement awards). <br> • All applicants must be honest in their application. Any false information will lead to disqualification. <br> • Only admitted students will be considered. <br> • Priority is given to students who come from families that cannot afford tertiary education. <br> <br> <b> APPLICATION DEADLINE: </b> <br> <br> • The admission application for Undergraduate and postgraduate programs is closing on 30 June 2025 <br> • The Applications to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will close on August 31, 2025, for undergraduate studies and on September 30 2025, for postgraduate studies. <br> <br> <br> <b> HERE'S A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO APPLY: </b> <br> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mGDabQeuP2g?si=QOeXOs2iDd4x1X4r" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> <br> <br> #Mkscholars #Studyabroad #Studyinsouthafrica #Mastercardscholarships #Scholarshipapplications