Applications are currently open for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 at University of British Columbia. These offers eligible African students the financial support needed to obtain a postgraduate degree program at UBC in Canada for the 2027/2028 academic year.
The Mastercard Foundation through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 at University of British Columbia will provide 351 Postgraduate Scholarships to academically talented young people from Africa with access to quality and relevant university education. After graduating, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars will then utilize their learning and experiences to contribute to the economic growth and social transformation of their communities in Africa. This is a fully funded scholarship opportunity.
SEE MORE: African Presidential Scholars Program 2027 at University of Michigan
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree
- Not already have a Master’s degree;
- Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application (i.e. born in 1990 or after);
- Be a citizen or a refugee of an African country;
- Be applying for a Master’s degree in one of the eligible programs listed below;
- Meet the minimum academic requirements of the program they are applying to.
Use this link to identify the Minimum Academic Requirements/International Credentials for Graduate Students, listed by country to determine your academic eligibility for the degree program and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
If your Bachelor’s degree was not taught in English, make arrangements to take an English Proficiency Exam (TOEFL or IELTS) and have the results sent to UBC. Please visit this website to confirm whether you meet UBC’s English requirement.
Eligible Fields of Study
Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Faculty of Forestry
- Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM)
- Master of International Forestry (MIF)
- Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL)
- Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM)
- Master of Science/Master of Applied Science in Forestry (Thesis-based)
Faculty of Science
Note: There are Two (2) rounds to the scholarship application. See details below:
Round 1
Applicants who are eligible will be invited to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program by September 15th – 30th, 2026.
Round 2
Apply to your UBC Faculty by November 1st – 20th, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
- Once your Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application is complete, successful applicants will receive an email with instructions to submit an online application to UBC. Review the instructions for faculty applications
- You may be eligible for a fee waiver if your citizenship and correspondence address is located in one of the world’s 50 least developed countries, according to the United Nations. Please visit this website to check which countries are on the list: If your country is not listed above, please request a fee waiver when you are submitting your Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application package. If you are invited to move to the Faculty Application step, we will provide instruction on how to use a fee waiver during the program application process.
Note: If you submit your application without applying your fee waiver, we are unable to provide a refund.
Method of Application
Applicants are to submit an expression of interest by September 6th, 2026.
General Stream– For all interested candidates (except refugees), click here (https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9N1YkXfhhF7VcWy) to submit an expression of interest.
Refugee and Displaced Persons Only Stream– If you are submitting an expression of interest, click here (https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3jusnGsibe4q6O2) to submit an expression of interest.
Required Documents
- Complete Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form.
- CV/resume.
- Two reference letters on official letterhead. Attach these to the application. DO NOT email them
- Transcripts.
Note: for the personal statements, succinctly answer each question.
Application Deadline: September 6, 2026.
For More Information: Visit the Scholarship Website.
