Applications are now open for the 2027 University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC will provide 351 academically talented young people from Africa with access to quality and relevant university education at UBC. 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.
To be eligible for consideration for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Masters’ Degree Program at UBC, the applicant 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.
- 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.
Applications are open from now until September 6th. Applicants are to submit an expression of interest before this date. Applicants who are eligible will be invited to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program by September 15th – 30th, 2026. During this period, applicants should submit the following documents:
- Complete Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form. Note: for the personal statements, succinctly answer each question on the application form.
- Submit a CV/resume.
- Provide two reference letters on official letterhead. Attach these to the application. DO NOT email them
- Transcripts.
At round two, applicants will be required to apply to UBC Faculty by November 1st – 20th, 2026. Late applications will not be considered. Applicants should browse through UBC programs for more understanding.
You may be eligible for an application 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. 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, they will provide instruction on how to use a fee waiver during the program application process. If you submit your application without applying your fee waiver, we are unable to provide a refund.
Successful applicants enjoys many benefits such as:
- Tuition & Books
- Flights & Immigration support
- Room and Board
- Stipends for living expenses
- Health Insurance
- Career services & Support
- Access to a global Mastercard Foundation alumni network
- Social Entrepreneurship Fund (Initiative for scholars who are enterprising and want to start a venture back on the continent)
General Stream – For all interested candidates (except refugees), click here (https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abEbecGlW7Z0LMW) 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_4UT66EElsr19oGi to submit an expression of interest.
