The African Leadership College of Higher Education (ALCHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a need-based undergraduate scholarship in Mauritius for students across Africa, and for Mauritian citizens, who show financial need, strong academics, and leadership. ALCHE runs it with the Mastercard Foundation. For the February 2027 intake, international applicants must apply by 14 November 2026 and Mauritian applicants by 23 January 2027. Those dates are admissions application deadlines on ALCHE’s Apply Now page. ALCHE does not publish a separate scholarship deadline.
Short verdict: the programme may be worth applying for if you cannot otherwise afford ALCHE tuition, meet ALCHE’s admission requirements, can document household finances with official papers, and are prepared to complete the scholarship steps after an Admitted or Conditionally Admitted outcome. Places are very limited. ALCHE describes the award as fully-funded and full-ride, covering full tuition and additional financial support. The official pages checked do not itemise that additional support. If you need a published stipend amount, residence cover, or flight package before you apply, ALCHE has not published those details.
This guide focuses on the eligibility gate, funding limits, application documents, deadlines, and student-permit considerations, and ends with frequently asked questions (FAQ). Facts were checked against ALCHE pages and linked documents on 15 October 2026.
Quick facts
| Item | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International deadline | 14 November 2026 (date only; no time stated) | Apply Now |
| Mauritian deadline | 23 January 2027 (date only; no time stated) | Apply Now |
| Intake | February 2027 | Apply Now |
| Level | Undergraduate bachelor’s degrees | Study at ALCHE |
| Covers | Full tuition plus additional financial support (support not itemised) | Scholarship hub |
| Places | Very limited per intake (number not stated) | Scholarship hub |
| Host | ALCHE, Pamplemousses, Mauritius | ALCHE |
| Apply on | ALCHE admissions application (scholarship interest inside it) | Application Guide |
The scholarship is reached through the ALCHE admissions application. There is no separate scholarship portal.
Who it is for and who it is not for
Likely a good fit
- You cannot otherwise afford ALCHE tuition with any other form of aid, and you can show financial need and substantial socio-economic disadvantage with official supporting documents.
- Your national exam results are strong (ALCHE asks for at least a B average) and you meet the admission requirements for your chosen degree.
- You can show leadership potential, active community contribution, and a commitment to give back.
- You are a Mauritian citizen, or you are readily eligible for a student residence permit in Mauritius.
- You are ready to gather household income proof, guardianship documents, and education-funding records before the scholarship form opens to you.
ALCHE especially encourages applications from female applicants, people with physical or learning disabilities, and applicants aged 26 and below. Those are priority groups, not hard requirements. Do not treat age 26 as a cut-off. Admissions also states a minimum age of 17 at the start of studies (17-year-olds are interviewed unless they turn 18 during the first year).
Probably not for you (yet)
- You can pay tuition with other aid, or you cannot produce official household income documents.
- You do not meet ALCHE admission requirements. If admission is rejected, you are automatically ineligible for the scholarship.
- You only hold a Preliminary Offer (for example because English proof or a bridging programme is still needed). Scholarship applications are reviewed only after Admitted or Conditionally Admitted status, so a Preliminary Offer blocks scholarship review even if the rest of your file is strong.
- You have humanitarian or refugee status and cannot obtain a valid international passport. ALCHE’s Application Guide says those who declare they cannot obtain one are not eligible for the scholarship, and the Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office (PIO) does not issue student residence permits to refugees without an international passport.
- You want a partial scholarship or aid after you enrol. ALCHE says it offers no other financial aid besides the Mastercard Foundation Scholarships, no partial scholarships or grants, and no scholarship once enrolled.
Nationality scope on ALCHE pages is “students across the continent.” A formal eligible-country list is not stated. Mauritian citizens are explicitly eligible under the Mauritius study requirement.
What the scholarship covers
ALCHE’s scholarship hub and eligibility help article describe fully-funded and full-ride scholarships “covering full tuition and additional financial support throughout the scholars’ journey at ALCHE.” ALCHE’s guiding principle is that selection is based primarily on demonstrated financial need and high academic achievement, subject to all other eligibility requirements and availability. Very limited scholarships are available per intake. ALCHE does not publish a headcount.
What “additional financial support” does not specify
ALCHE does not publish an itemised list of what additional financial support includes. It does not state amounts for a stipend, residence, meals, medical cover, flights, visa or permit costs, or a laptop. Do not assume those items are covered just because the award is described as full-ride. Treat the published wording as full tuition plus undefined additional support, and plan questions for ALCHE if a specific living cost would change your decision.
Tuition context for fee-payers (not scholarship line items)
ALCHE’s fee structure PDFs (last updated March 2026, subject to change) show what students who pay fees face:
| Charge | International | Mauritian |
|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition | USD 5,000 (three terms of USD 1,667) | USD 3,500 (three terms of USD 1,167) |
| Residence | USD 1,500 per term (first-year international students must live on campus) | USD 1,500 per term (optional, if living on campus) |
| Medical cover | USD 275 per term, listed for Terms 1 and 2 only (optional with proof of alternative cover) | Not listed on the Mauritian fee PDF |
| Medical check-up | USD 100 once-off (Year 1 Term 1, visa processing) | Not listed on the Mauritian fee PDF |
| Meal plans | Optional: USD 1,550 per term (two meals including breakfast) or USD 1,875 per term (three meals), listed for all three terms | Same optional plans and amounts per term |
Whether the scholarship pays residence, meals, medical cover, or the check-up fee is not stated. Use the figures only to understand the cost of studying without the award.
Other money rules
- ALCHE offers no other kind of financial aid besides the Mastercard Foundation Scholarships.
- Unsuccessful scholarship applicants who keep their admission must pay tuition by the deadline.
- A scholarship offer is deferrable only with approval of both the Financial Aid Office and the Admissions Office.
- Recipients must sign and return a scholarship contract before the stated deadline. Contract terms are not published on the pages checked for this guide.
Eligibility requirements
Scholarship gate
You must first meet ALCHE admission requirements. Extra information in the application then determines scholarship eligibility. If admission is rejected, the scholarship path closes automatically.
Scholarship criteria (from the hub, eligibility help article, and Application Guide):
- Financial need: you must be otherwise unable to afford ALCHE tuition with any other form of aid, and you must demonstrate financial need and substantial socio-economic disadvantage (the Application Guide also says “socio-economic barriers”) with acceptable official documents.
- Academic strength: meet ALCHE admission criteria and show clear potential to thrive, with national exam scores of at least a B average per ALCHE.
- Leadership and community: evidence of leadership potential, active community contribution, and commitment to give back.
- Mauritius study eligibility: Mauritian citizen, or readily eligible for a student residence permit.
- Priority encouragements (not hard limits): female applicants; individuals with physical or learning disabilities; aged 26 and below. Disability documentation (generally within three years) and accommodations go through [email protected]; disability status does not negatively affect admission, and ALCHE cannot yet accommodate all disabilities.
Admission requirements (summary)
ALCHE lists several A-level and equivalent routes, plus country tables (for example Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe A-level routes, South Africa National Senior Certificate (NSC), International Baccalaureate (IB)). Computer Science and Software Engineering often need Maths or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grades. Use ALCHE’s admissions table for your country.
English proficiency is required for an unconditional offer. Accepted routes include IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 72 with section minimums, PTE Academic 54, O-Level/IGCSE English at C, and some national exam English grades. Results are generally not older than two years. Duolingo is not listed.
Degrees you choose in the application
ALCHE offers Computer Science; Entrepreneurial Leadership; International Business and Trade; and Software Engineering (bachelor’s level). The first year centres on Leadership Core / Leadership Fundamentals. Programmes are accredited by the Higher Education Commission of Mauritius on a residential campus in Pamplemousses. Programme lengths are not consistent across ALCHE pages and fee PDFs, so check your degree page rather than assuming one fixed duration.
Key dates and deadline
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| International apply by | 14 November 2026 |
| Mauritian apply by | 23 January 2027 |
| Intake | February 2027 |
| Admissions decision | Within two to four weeks of submitting (newer pages) |
| Scholarship decision | Not published (“as per the Scholarship Decision timelines”) |
Notes:
- ALCHE states dates only. No time of day or time zone appears on the Apply Now page for these deadlines.
- These are admissions application deadlines. The scholarship invitation follows the admissions application. ALCHE does not publish a separate scholarship close date.
- Admissions applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Newer pages say the admission decision comes within two to four weeks of submitting. An older international-student help article says within two weeks. Plan on the wider window and watch your email. International applicants should also check early that their passport meets ALCHE’s validity rules, because the student entry permit needs an ALCHE acceptance letter and PIO processing before a February 2027 start.
- New students are admitted twice a year in February and September on current Study at ALCHE wording. An older FAQ that said February and October is stale and should not be used for planning.
Documents you will need
Admissions documents
Typical admissions uploads include national exam transcripts, secondary school transcripts, English proficiency proof, and identification. International students need a valid passport. Optional extras can include further transcripts, achievements, and recommendation letters.
Scholarship supporting documents
Every scholarship section requires supporting documents. An application without them is incomplete, and missing household income proof leads to automatic dismissal. Start gathering guardian income evidence and signed letters early; you receive the scholarship application invitation only after declaring interest in the admissions application.
Household income (all earners):
- Formally employed guardian: official bank statements and payslips or tax returns, or a signed employer letter on letterhead with salary details.
- Self-employed, informal, or petty trader: three to six months of bank or mobile money statements (for example M-Pesa or MoMo) or tax returns, plus a signed letter stating source and amount, or a signed letter from a notable community member (for example a religious or local leader).
- Investments, rental, or business: signed guardian letter plus six months of statements or tax returns.
- Unemployed guardian: retirement or termination letter, or a legally accepted signed affidavit.
A letter written by the applicant is not accepted as proof of guardian income unless the applicant is the breadwinner.
Guardianship: birth certificate or affidavit (two guardians); death certificates or a reliable-source letter (orphan or sole caregiver); organisation or caregiver letter (special guardianship); divorce decree, affidavit, or death certificate (single-parent home); fallback signed letter from a notable community member.
Education financing: annual high school tuition receipt or a principal’s letter confirming the amount; if high school was free, enter zero and submit an official letter; sponsor letters showing donor, amount, and duration for any past scholarship; partner affiliation letters only if you are truly affiliated and can be verified.
The scholarship hub also says all applicants must provide referral letters from persons in good standing in their community. That requirement appears on the hub page even though the Application Guide’s five form sections do not list referral letters as their own section. Plan to supply them.
Document quality rules: letters must be signed and dated, with current contact details, on letterhead where official. Documents must be in English or French (or a certified translation plus the original). Income proof should cover at least three months (six months recommended for irregular income). No password-protected files; Drive links must be viewable. False or misleading information can lead to rejection with no further reference.
How to apply
Everything starts inside the admissions application. Follow this order:
- Submit an ALCHE admissions application through the registration link (the mint apply button at the end of this guide). Only applicants eligible for admission may apply for the scholarship.
- Declare interest in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in the Finances section of the admissions application.
- Wait for the email invitation to submit the scholarship application if you declared interest.
- Complete the eligibility check: Humanitarian Status Eligibility for international applicants (valid passport), and the Financial Calculator (household income, expenses, and tuition; you will need parent or guardian help). Only eligible candidates continue.
- Complete the Scholarship Application Form. The Application Guide lists five sections: personal information and household income; About You (guardianship status); history of education funding; ALCHE Partner Relationship (select a partner only if affiliated and verifiable); and narrative submission (videos and essays on themes such as leadership potential, community service, and entrepreneurial mindset). Also prepare community referral letters as required on the scholarship hub.
- Complete the ALCHE Fit Challenge (also called the ALCHE Fitness Test): online exercises averaging about 25 minutes, done in one sitting with stable internet, including a timed eight-minute section and an untimed section of about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Submit. Keep progressing admissions and post-admission milestones in parallel. Only Admitted or Conditionally Admitted applicants are considered for the scholarship.
Anti-scam rules from ALCHE: there is no application fee and ALCHE does not authorise agents. Anyone asking for payment to help with the application should be reported to [email protected]. Applicants must submit their own applications. Fee payments, when required for fee-payers, go only through the Admissions Portal; staff never ask for payment by email.
How selection works and possible outcomes
Scholarship applications are reviewed by the scholarship review committee / Financial Aid Office only after an offer of admission that is Admitted or Conditionally Admitted. A Preliminary Offer is not enough for scholarship review.
Scholarship outcomes:
- Offered: sign and return the scholarship contract before the stated deadline.
- Waitlisted: a strong application when there are more qualified applicants than slots. The application is automatically carried forward to the next available intake within the same academic year. You do not need to reapply, resubmit, or email to show interest. Contact ALCHE only if your status changes. A waitlist place is not a guarantee.
- Declined: if you still want the admission place, you must pay tuition by the deadline. No other aid is available.
If you are waitlisted but also hold an admission offer, accepting it means studying as a full fee-paying student. If you can only study on the scholarship, do not accept that offer. If you accepted by mistake, open a Help Desk ticket.
Admission outcomes for context: Admitted; Conditionally Admitted; Preliminary Offer (scholarship not reviewed); Rejected.
Moving to Mauritius: passport and permits
International scholars need a valid international passport (valid at least four years / for the programme, with more than two blank pages), a student entry permit, then a student residence permit.
ALCHE’s newest Mauritius Student Entry Permit help article (modified 9 October 2026) describes registering on the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS), receiving an ALCHE enrolment key, and submitting online to the PIO, with an average PIO turnaround of 23 days after submission. Book flights only after the entry permit is issued. Older admissions and international-student pages describe uploading scans to the Admissions Portal and then couriering original hard copies to ALCHE for PIO submission. Treat this as a process conflict: follow the instructions in your Admissions Portal and the newest ALCHE guidance rather than assuming either route from this article alone.
Other permit flags:
- The entry permit expires three months after issue; travel within that window.
- Some nationalities face PIO processing beyond three to four months. ALCHE lists Burundi, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Mali, Pakistan, Palestine State, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Saharawi Republic, Syria, and Yemen. Several of those are African countries, so start early if yours is listed.
- Expect a full document checklist (passport, entry permit form in blue ink, acceptance letter, photos, medical report including blood tests and chest X-ray, sponsor letter, police character certificate if 18 or over, financial documents, English results, plus under-18 guardian extras). Admissions materials also mention sponsor bank statements showing at least USD 3,500; whether scholars are exempt is not stated.
- Students cannot have dependents on their permits. A second medical test happens in Mauritius after matriculation. A Mauritian rupee (MUR) 150,000 local bank-balance rule within three weeks of the residence permit applies only to students who are not on a full ALCHE scholarship. Matriculation needs original documents.
Permit contact on ALCHE pages: [email protected] and +230 59763254. Verify the current route inside your Admissions Portal and the newest ALCHE entry-permit help article before couriering anything or booking travel.
How to make your application stronger
Prioritise three things: establish admission eligibility, assemble complete and verifiable financial and guardianship documents, and use the scholarship narratives to demonstrate leadership and community contribution. Complete the Financial Calculator with parent or guardian help, provide the required referral letters, and prepare readable, accessible supporting files. If English proof or a bridging programme is outstanding, work on that requirement because scholarship review does not proceed from a Preliminary Offer. Priority groups are encouraged to apply but are not guaranteed awards.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for a separate scholarship portal or scholarship-only deadline.
- Missing the Finances-section declaration of interest.
- Incomplete documents, especially household income proof, or applicant-written guardian income letters when you are not the breadwinner.
- Password-protected files or Drive links reviewers cannot open.
- Treating age 26 as a hard limit.
- Accepting a fee-paying offer while waitlisted when you can only attend on the scholarship.
- Expecting scholarship review on a Preliminary Offer.
- Paying an agent, or declaring humanitarian status without a path to a valid passport.
- Booking flights before the entry permit is issued, or leaving international applications so late that permit timelines for February 2027 become unrealistic.
FAQ
Is the ALCHE Mastercard Foundation scholarship fully funded?
ALCHE describes them as fully-funded, full-ride scholarships covering full tuition and additional financial support. The official pages checked do not itemise that support or give a stipend amount.
Is there a separate scholarship portal or deadline?
No. You begin through the ALCHE admissions application, declare interest in the Finances section, and later receive an invitation to complete the scholarship application form if eligible. No scholarship-only deadline is published.
What are the deadlines for international and Mauritian applicants?
For the February 2027 intake, international students apply by 14 November 2026 and Mauritian students by 23 January 2027. ALCHE states the dates only, with no time of day.
Do I need to be admitted to ALCHE first?
Yes. You must meet admission requirements first. Scholarship review happens only after Admitted or Conditionally Admitted status, not after a Preliminary Offer. Rejection from admission means automatic scholarship ineligibility.
Which countries are eligible? Can Mauritian citizens apply?
ALCHE describes the programme for students across the continent. It does not publish a formal eligible-country list. Mauritian citizens are explicitly eligible. Non-Mauritian applicants must be readily eligible for a student residence permit.
Is there an age limit of 26?
No. Aged 26 and below is listed under groups especially encouraged to apply, not as a hard age cap. Admissions minimum age is 17 at the start of studies.
What grades do I need?
ALCHE asks for at least a B average in national exams, plus the specific admission requirements for your country and degree (including Maths or STEM expectations for some Computer Science and Software Engineering routes). Check the admissions page for your exam system.
Can I get a partial scholarship or apply after I enrol?
No. ALCHE states it offers no partial scholarships or grants, and no scholarship or other aid after enrolment. The Mastercard Foundation Scholarships are the financial aid path described.
How do I prove household income if my parent works informally?
ALCHE asks for three to six months of bank or mobile money statements (for example M-Pesa or MoMo) or tax returns, plus a signed letter stating source and amount, or a signed letter from a notable community member. Missing income proof leads to automatic dismissal.
What is the ALCHE Fit Challenge?
It is an online set of exercises (also called the ALCHE Fitness Test) that averages about 25 minutes. You must complete it in one sitting with stable internet. It includes a timed eight-minute section and an untimed section of about 10 to 12 minutes.
Can refugees or applicants with humanitarian status apply?
Only if they hold, or are eligible and able to obtain, a valid international passport. Those who declare they cannot obtain one are not eligible for the scholarship. The PIO does not issue student residence permits to refugees without an international passport.
What if I am waitlisted? Should I accept my admission offer?
A waitlisted scholarship application is carried forward to the next available intake in the same academic year and is not guaranteed. Accepting an admission offer while waitlisted means studying as a full fee-paying student for that intake. If you can only attend on the scholarship, do not accept the fee-paying offer. An offer accepted by mistake should be raised through a ticket on the ALCHE Admissions Help Center.
What if my scholarship is declined?
If you want to keep the admission place, you must pay tuition by the deadline. ALCHE does not offer other scholarships or grants as a backup.
Can I defer a scholarship offer?
Only with approval of both the Financial Aid Office and the Admissions Office.
How long do Mauritius student permits take?
Newest ALCHE guidance describes an online NELS route with an average PIO turnaround of 23 days after submission; older pages describe a courier route. Some nationalities face processing beyond three to four months. The entry permit expires three months after issue. Follow the Admissions Portal and newest ALCHE guidance.
Does ALCHE charge an application fee or use agents?
No. ALCHE does not charge an application fee and does not authorise agents. Report anyone asking for payment to help with the application ([email protected]). Submit your own application.
Who do I contact with questions?
[email protected] or +230 54434951; Help Desk tickets via the ALCHE Admissions Help Center; permits at [email protected]; disability support at [email protected].
Official sources
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Program at ALCHE
- Apply Now (intake and deadlines)
- Who is eligible for the Scholarships at ALCHE
- How do I apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at ALCHE
- ALCHE Scholarship Application Guide (PDF)
- Tips for filling out the scholarship application form
- What happens to my scholarship application once I submit it
- Waitlist Mastercard Scholarship FAQ
- What kind of financial aid is available at ALCHE
- Can I receive a partial scholarship or grant
- Admissions process and entry requirements
- ALCHE English Proficiency Requirements
- ALCHE Admissions Decisions
- Applying to ALCHE as an International Student
- Mauritius Student Entry Permit Application Process
- Fee Structure for International Students (PDF, March 2026)
- Fee Structure for Mauritian Students (PDF, March 2026)
- Study at ALCHE
- Disability Support FAQs
- ALCHE Help Center tickets
