University of British Columbia MasterCard Foundation Scholarships 2026/2027 for African Students

University of British Columbia MasterCard Foundation Scholarships 2026/2027 🍁

📅 Applications for the Winter 2027 intake open from 31 August 2026

The University of British Columbia, Canada partners with the MasterCard foundation Scholars Programme to grant $25M Scholarships to African students.

🍁 UBC × Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Fully funded Master's • Sub-Saharan Africa • Vancouver, Canada

📌 USA State Department Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery (DV-2027)

📑 Table of Contents

• Scholarship overview
• About the scholarship
• 💰 Value of scholarship
• Eligibility and selection criteria
• Faculties and programs at UBC's Vancouver campus
• Application deadlines
• 🎯 How to apply
• Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarship Overview

Offered annually?	Yes
Eligible Countries	African countries
To be taken at (country)	University of British Columbia, Canada
Offered Since	2013
Type	Masters
Number of Scholarships	110 students over the next 10 years
Duration of Scholarship	Full period of study
Sponsors	MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme (MFSP)
Applications open	31 August 2026 (Winter 2027 intake)

About Scholarship

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a $500 million initiative to inspire young people — particularly from Africa — to lead change through education.

The University of British Columbia, Canada is pleased to partner with The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program to provide comprehensive scholarships to students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The Program provides access to education for academically talented, yet economically marginalized young people. More than 110 students from Africa will receive comprehensive scholarships to live and learn at the University of British Columbia thanks to a $25 million grant from The MasterCard Foundation. Over the next 10 years, UBC expects to welcome 77 undergraduate and 35 master's degree students through the Program.

UBC is among the first Canadian universities to join The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program and one of 15 institutions in the world participating in the $500 million global education initiative.

Value of Scholarship

Comprehensive scholarship

Travel · Tuition · Textbooks · Housing · Food · Living expenses

Selected students will receive a scholarship equivalent to the costs related to attaining a degree, including travel, tuition, textbooks, housing, food, and living expenses. You will also receive financial, academic, social, and post-graduation support which will enable you to build experiences and competencies critical for academic success.

Duration of Scholarship

Full period of study.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

To be eligible for consideration for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Masters' Degree Program at UBC, the applicant must:

• have completed a Bachelor's degree;
• must not already have a graduate or PhD degree;
• be 35 years old or younger (i.e. born in 1988 or after);
• be a citizen or a refugee of a Sub-Saharan African country;
• have lived a significant part of their life in a Sub-Saharan African country;
• present economically disadvantaged financial circumstances, and be able to show lack of financial means from family or other sources to pursue graduate education in their home country or elsewhere;
• have achieved academic excellence under difficult circumstances and show leadership qualities or potential;
• demonstrate an interest in and commitment to giving back to his/her home community in ways that enhance the economic growth and social development of Africa, through engagement in activities in their current profession, university or community;
• be a person who requires a Canadian study permit to study in Canada;
• commit to returning to Africa in order to apply their training and skills to the betterment of others.

Faculties and Programs at UBC's Vancouver Campus

🌲 Faculty of Forestry

1. Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM)
2. Master of International Forestry (MIF)
3. Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM)

🌾 Faculty of Land and Food Systems

1. Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
2. Master of Food Science (MFS)
3. Master of Land and Water Systems (MLWS)

🔬 Faculty of Science

1. Master of Data Science

Please note:

• The Mastercard Foundation Scholars program only covers expenses of the admitted scholars.
• Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents are not eligible to apply for this award.
• Funds from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC cannot be applied to pursue programs at other academic institutions.

Application Deadlines

1

September 6th 2026

Expression of Interest

2

September 15th to 30th 2026

Invitation to apply 

3

November 1st – 20th, 2026

Successful applicants are invited to apply to their faculties

4

December to January

Successful candidates contacted for interviews

These dates may vary from those posted on faculty websites. Please note that if you are applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC, you must submit all your documents (including your reference letters) by the dates requested above.

* Applicants applying to these programs should consider the different deadlines. Late submissions will not be accepted.

How to Apply

Please find more information in the Graduate Scholarship Webpage Link below.

Nominations: When students are confirmed for nomination, their high school or recognized non-profit organization must use the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program nomination package. Find the Nomination package in the link below.

📅 Applications for the Winter 2027 intake are opening from 31 August 2026

🎯 Visit Scholarship Webpage for Details

Frequently Asked Questions

When do applications open?

Applications for the Winter 2027 intake are opening from 31 August 2026. The invitation to apply runs from September 15 to October 15.

Who can apply for this scholarship?

Applicants must be citizens or refugees of a Sub-Saharan African country, have completed a Bachelor's degree, not already hold a graduate or PhD degree, and require a Canadian study permit to study in Canada. Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents are not eligible.

What does the scholarship cover?

Travel, tuition, textbooks, housing, food and living expenses, plus financial, academic, social and post-graduation support, for the full period of study.

Which programs are available?

Seven Master's programs at UBC's Vancouver campus, across the Faculty of Forestry (MSFM, MIF, MGEM), the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (MFRE, MFS, MLWS) and the Faculty of Science (Master of Data Science).

Is there an age limit?

Yes. Applicants must be 35 years old or younger. Confirm the exact birth-year cut-off for the current intake on the official UBC scholarship page.

Can the funds be used at another university?

No. Funds from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC cannot be applied to pursue programs at other academic institutions.

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