Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship in Canada
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is opening applications for the Winter 2027 intake, offering eligible African students and refugees an opportunity to pursue selected master’s degree programs at UBC’s Vancouver campus in Canada.
Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 open on August 31, 2026. Interested applicants must first submit an expression of interest by September 6, 2026.
This guide explains the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC, including eligibility requirements, eligible master’s programs, application deadlines, selection criteria, required documents and the official application process.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 – At a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC |
| University | University of British Columbia |
| Campus | Vancouver Campus |
| Study Level | Master’s Degree |
| Intake | Winter 2027 |
| Eligible Applicants | Citizens or refugees of African countries |
| Maximum Age | 35 years or younger |
| Application Opens | August 31, 2026 |
| Expression of Interest Deadline | September 6, 2026 |
| Mastercard Application Window | September 15–30, 2026 |
| UBC Faculty Application | November 1–20, 2026 |
| Study Location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC is designed to support talented students from Africa who demonstrate academic ability, leadership potential, community service and a commitment to contributing to the development of their home countries.
The program provides an opportunity for qualified African students to pursue selected graduate programs at one of Canada’s leading universities.
For the Winter 2027 intake, applications are opening on August 31, 2026.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and ensure they are applying for one of the specific master’s programs supported by the program.
Who Can Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC?
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027, applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree.
- Not already hold a Master’s degree.
- Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application, meaning applicants must have been born in 1990 or after.
- Be a citizen or refugee of an African country.
- Apply for one of the eligible master’s programs listed by the program.
- Meet the minimum academic requirements for the selected UBC graduate program.
Applicants should also review UBC’s requirements for international credentials. Academic eligibility can vary depending on the country where the previous degree was completed.
If an applicant’s Bachelor’s degree was not taught in English, they may need to provide an approved English-language proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL, depending on UBC’s requirements.
Eligible Master’s Programs at UBC
One of the most important requirements of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC is that applicants must apply to an eligible program.
The scholarship is currently available for selected programs in the following faculties.
Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Eligible programs include:
- Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
- Master of Food Science (MFS)
Faculty of Forestry
Eligible programs 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 understand that the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC is only available for the programs specifically listed by UBC. Applying to a different graduate program does not make an applicant eligible for this scholarship.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC Application Process
The application process involves multiple stages. Applicants should carefully follow each stage and meet the stated deadlines.
Step 1: Choose an Eligible Program
First, decide which eligible master’s program you want to pursue at UBC.
Applicants should research the admission requirements, academic prerequisites and program structure before submitting their expression of interest.
Choosing an eligible program is essential because the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC only supports the master’s programs identified by the program.
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest
The next step is to submit an expression of interest.
The deadline to submit an expression of interest is:
September 6, 2026
There are two streams:
General Stream: For interested candidates other than refugees.
Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream: Specifically for refugees and displaced persons.
Applicants should select the correct stream when submitting their expression of interest.
Step 3: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application
Eligible applicants will be invited to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program between:
September 15–30, 2026
The selection process considers several factors, including academic merit, leadership, community service, application quality and potential development impact.
Applicants should therefore demonstrate not only strong academic preparation but also evidence of leadership and meaningful community engagement.
Required Documents
Applicants invited to the scholarship application stage will need to submit a complete application.
The application should include:
- Completed Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
- Personal statements answering the questions clearly and concisely.
- CV or résumé.
- Two reference letters on official letterhead.
- Academic transcripts.
Reference letters must be attached to the application and should not be emailed separately.
Applicants should prepare these documents in advance to avoid missing the application deadline.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Selection Criteria
The selection process for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC considers several important factors.
Academic Merit
Applicants must demonstrate the academic ability required for admission to their chosen UBC master’s program.
Leadership and Community Service
The program looks for candidates who have demonstrated transformative leadership and meaningful service within their communities.
Quality of Application
The overall quality of the application is important. Applicants should provide clear, concise and authentic responses to the personal statement questions.
Potential Development Impact
Applicants should demonstrate how their education and future career could contribute to the development of their home country and wider communities.
Step 4: Apply to UBC Faculty
Successful applicants from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application stage will receive instructions on submitting an application to their selected UBC faculty.
The UBC faculty application period is:
November 1–20, 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
Applicants should therefore carefully follow the instructions provided by UBC and ensure that the faculty application is completed before the deadline.
Application Fee Waiver
Some applicants may qualify for an application fee waiver.
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 for a fee waiver.
Applicants whose country is not included in the relevant list can request a fee waiver when submitting their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application package.
If invited to the faculty application stage, UBC will provide instructions on how to use the fee waiver.
Applicants should pay close attention to this requirement because UBC states that an application fee paid without first applying for the applicable fee waiver cannot subsequently be refunded.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC Application Timeline
The key dates for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 are:
August 31, 2026: Applications open.
September 6, 2026: Expression of interest deadline.
September 15–30, 2026: Eligible applicants are invited to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
November 1–20, 2026: UBC faculty application period for successful scholarship applicants.
Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their academic documents, CV, references and personal statements before applications open.
Why Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC provides eligible African students with an opportunity to pursue graduate-level education at the University of British Columbia in Canada.
For students interested in food systems, forestry, environmental management, sustainable development and data science, the program offers access to selected master’s programs aligned with these fields.
Beyond academic study, the program seeks applicants who demonstrate leadership, community service and the potential to contribute to development in their home countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 open?
Applications for the Winter 2027 intake open on August 31, 2026.
What is the expression of interest deadline?
The expression of interest must be submitted by September 6, 2026.
Who is eligible?
The program is intended for citizens or refugees of African countries who meet the academic, age and program requirements.
What is the maximum age?
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application, meaning they must have been born in 1990 or after.
Can someone who already has a Master’s degree apply?
No. Applicants must not already hold a Master’s degree.
Which programs are eligible?
Eligible programs include selected master’s degrees in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Faculty of Forestry and Faculty of Science, including the Master of Data Science.
Where is the scholarship based?
The program is based at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver Campus in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
What documents are required?
Applicants should prepare a CV or résumé, transcripts, two reference letters on official letterhead and the required Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application and personal statements.
Final Thoughts
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 is an important opportunity for eligible African students seeking a master’s degree in Canada. With applications opening on August 31, 2026, prospective applicants should begin reviewing eligible programs and preparing their academic and supporting documents now.
The first major deadline is September 6, 2026, when applicants must submit their expression of interest. Candidates who are invited to continue will then complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application between September 15 and 30, 2026, followed by the UBC faculty application period from November 1–20, 2026.
Applicants should use the official UBC scholarship website for the most accurate and current instructions.
Official Application Link
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC – Graduate Admissions:
Official UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Page
General Stream Expression of Interest:
Apply – General Stream
Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream:
Apply – Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream
Official University of British Columbia Website:
University of British Columbia
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