The University of British Columbia (UBC) is proud to join forces with The Mastercard Foundation in a transformative partnership aimed at nurturing the next generation of African leaders. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC is designed to empower academically gifted young individuals from Africa, granting them access to an exceptional and relevant university education at UBC. Upon graduation, these scholars will harness their knowledge and experiences to drive economic growth and spark social transformation within their communities across Africa, making a lasting impact on the continent’s future.
About MasterCard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. All people, no matter where their starting point in life, should have an equal chance to succeed. We believe that with access to education, financial services, and skills training, people can have that chance.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation has announced scholarship opportunities for master’s programs at the University of Columbia in Canada.
Why You Should Apply For Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- 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)
Courses Available For Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Data Science
- Food Science
- Food and Resource Economics
- Forestry
- Geomatics for Environmental Management
- International Forestry
- Land and Water Systems
- Sustainable Forest Management
Eligibility Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
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
- Consult the link below identifying 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.
Interview date, Process and Venue for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:
- Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admissions to the program of choice
- Track record as a transformative leader and service within their community.
- Quality of application in line with the Program theme.
- Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
Documents Required for Application
Your fully completed application should include (all in one application form online):
- Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form.
Note: for the personal statements, succinctly answer each question. - Submit a CV/resume.
- Provide two reference letters on official letterhead. Attach these to the application. DO NOT email them
- Transcripts.
Application Deadline For
September 12, 2025
How To Apply For Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Apply to the Mastercard Scholar online application.
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.
For more details, visit UBC Scholarship webpage
