Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 | Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship for African Students

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The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is opening applications for the Winter 2027 intake, providing eligible African students and refugees with an opportunity to pursue selected Master’s degree programmes at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

Applications for the Winter 2027 intake open on 31 August 2026. Interested applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest by 6 September 2026.

The programme is designed for academically talented young people who demonstrate transformative leadership, community service and the potential to contribute to the development of their home countries.

🎓 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC supports talented students from Africa who may otherwise face barriers to accessing high-quality graduate education.

Successful scholars will have the opportunity to study at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, in one of the Master’s programmes approved for the scholarship.

The scholarship focuses on developing future leaders who can use their education, knowledge and skills to create positive social and economic impact in their communities and countries.

🌍 Who Can Apply?

To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Master’s Degree Program at UBC, applicants must meet the following requirements:

✅ Have completed a Bachelor’s degree.

✅ Not already hold a Master’s degree.

✅ Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.

✅ Be a citizen or refugee of an African country.

✅ Apply for one of the eligible Master’s programmes listed by UBC.

✅ Meet the minimum academic admission requirements for the selected programme.

Applicants should carefully review UBC’s international credential and minimum academic requirements for their country.

🌐 English Language Requirement

If your Bachelor’s degree was not taught in English, you may need to take an English proficiency examination such as TOEFL or IELTS and arrange for your results to be sent to UBC.

Applicants should check UBC’s English-language requirements to determine whether they need to provide a language test.

🎓 Eligible Master’s Programmes

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC is available only for selected programmes.

Faculty of Land and Food Systems

Eligible programmes include:

Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
Master of Food Science (MFS)

Faculty of Forestry

Eligible programmes include:

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

Master of Data Science

Applicants should select their programme carefully because the scholarship is restricted to the programmes listed above.

📅 UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Application Timeline

The application process takes place in several stages.

Step 1: Choose Your Programme

Applicants should first identify the eligible Master’s programme they are interested in pursuing.

Only programmes listed under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program are eligible.

Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest

The Expression of Interest deadline is:

📅 6 September 2026

There are two application streams.

General Stream: Available for interested candidates who are not refugees.

Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream: Available specifically for refugees and displaced persons.

Applicants should use the appropriate Expression of Interest form for their situation.

Step 3: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application

Eligible candidates will be invited to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program between:

📅 15–30 September 2026

The selection process considers several factors, including academic ability, leadership, community service and potential development impact.

Step 4: Apply to UBC Faculty

Successful applicants who progress through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program process will receive instructions for submitting their UBC faculty application.

The faculty application period is:

📅 1–20 November 2026

⚠️ Late applications will not be considered.

Also Read: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 | Fully Funded Research Scholarships in Switzerland

🏆 Selection Criteria

Selection for the programme is based on several important criteria.

Academic Merit

Applicants must demonstrate the academic ability required for admission to their chosen Master’s programme.

Transformative Leadership

The programme looks for candidates who have demonstrated leadership and meaningful service within their communities.

Quality of Application

Applicants should clearly communicate their experiences, goals, leadership journey and connection to the programme’s theme.

Potential Development Impact

Candidates should demonstrate how their education could contribute to positive development in their home country and communities.

📄 Required Application Documents

Applicants invited to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program should be prepared to provide:

Completed Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form
Personal statements
CV or résumé
Two reference letters on official letterhead
Academic transcripts

The reference letters should be attached to the application as instructed. Applicants should not email the reference letters separately.

💰 Application Fee Waiver

Some applicants may qualify for an application fee waiver when applying to UBC.

According to the programme information, applicants whose citizenship and correspondence address are located in one of the world’s 50 least developed countries, according to the United Nations, may be eligible.

Applicants whose country does not appear on the relevant list may request a fee waiver during the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application process.

If invited to the Faculty Application stage, eligible applicants will receive instructions on how to use the fee waiver.

⚠️ Applicants should request the waiver before submitting their application. UBC indicates that fees paid without applying the available waiver cannot be refunded.

🌍 Why Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC?

Studying at UBC can provide scholars with access to a globally recognized university and an international academic environment.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is particularly valuable for candidates who want to combine graduate education with leadership, community development and long-term social impact.

The opportunity can help successful scholars:

✅ Pursue a Master’s degree in Canada

✅ Develop advanced academic and professional skills

✅ Build international networks

✅ Learn from experienced academics and professionals

✅ Strengthen their leadership abilities

✅ Gain exposure to global perspectives

✅ Prepare for meaningful development work

✅ Contribute to positive change in their communities and countries

👥 Who Should Consider Applying?

This scholarship may be particularly suitable for African graduates who have strong academic backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership.

Candidates should consider applying if they:

Have completed a Bachelor’s degree
Are interested in an eligible Master’s programme
Meet UBC’s academic requirements
Are 35 or younger at the time of application
Are an African citizen or refugee
Have demonstrated leadership
Have a record of community service
Have clear career and development goals
Want to contribute to the development of their home country

⚠️ Important Things to Remember

Applicants should carefully follow every stage of the application process.

The most important dates include:

📌 31 August 2026 — Applications open

📌 6 September 2026 — Expression of Interest deadline

📌 15–30 September 2026 — Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application period for invited eligible candidates

📌 1–20 November 2026 — UBC Faculty application period

Applicants should not wait until the final day to prepare their documents. Academic transcripts, CVs, reference letters and personal statements can take time to prepare.

Candidates should also ensure that they select an eligible programme before beginning the application process.

Also Read: Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Elite International Scholarship 2027 | University of Sydney | Fully Funded

🚀 How to Apply

Interested applicants should begin by reviewing the eligible programmes and confirming that they meet the academic and eligibility requirements.

Step 1

Choose an eligible Master’s programme at UBC.

Step 2

Review the academic requirements for your country and selected programme.

Step 3

Prepare your CV, transcripts, references and personal information.

Step 4

Submit the appropriate Expression of Interest by 6 September 2026.

Step 5

If invited, complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application between 15 and 30 September 2026.

Step 6

If selected to proceed, follow UBC’s instructions to submit the faculty application between 1 and 20 November 2026.

Step 7

Monitor your email for further instructions from UBC and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

🌟 Final Thoughts

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 presents an important opportunity for eligible African students and refugees seeking Master’s-level education in Canada.

With eligible programmes spanning food and resource economics, food science, sustainable forestry, international forestry, urban forestry, geomatics and data science, applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds can explore programmes aligned with their career goals.

If you meet the requirements, do not wait until the deadline to begin preparing. Review your preferred programme, gather your documents and prepare a strong application that clearly demonstrates your academic ability, leadership, community service and potential impact.

Applications for the Winter 2027 intake open on 31 August 2026, while the Expression of Interest deadline is 6 September 2026.