University of British Columbia 2025 - 2026 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC : 2025/2026 Admissions Greetings! Thank you for your interest in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC). We are currently welcoming applications for the Fall 2025 intake.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the UBC, is pleased to provide comprehensive graduate scholarships to students from Sub-Saharan Africa. Students who have demonstrated academic talent, are facing the highest social and economic barriers to opportunity and have a personal commitment to give back to their communities are invited to apply for these scholarships.

• Table of Content
• About University of British Columbia
• University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• Aim and Benefits of University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• Requirements for University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world and recently recognized as North America’s most international university. Since 1915, our motto, Tuum Est (It is Yours), has been a declaration of our commitment to attracting and supporting those who have the drive to shape a better world. As a result, UBC students, faculty and staff continue to embrace innovation and challenge the status quo, placing us at the forefront of discovery, learning and engagement. UBC encourage... continue reading

University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• Category Masters
• SponsorUniversity of British Columbia
• City to study Vancouver
• School to study University of British Columbia
• Course to study Not specified
• Application Deadline October 31, 2024

Aim and Benefits of University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program only covers the expenses of the admitted scholars.
• Canadian citizens and 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.

Requirements for University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Qualification

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 1989 or after);
• be a citizen or a refugee of a Sub-Saharan African country (listed here);
• be applying for a Master’s degree in one of the eligible programs listed below.

Interview date, Process and Venue for University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Selection Process

DECIDE your Program(s) of Interest from the list.

This scholarship is for the following programs ONLY

• Faculty of Land and Food Systems
  • Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
  • Master of Food Science (MFS)
  • Master of Land and Water Systems (MLWS)
• Faculty of Forestry
  • Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM)
  • Master of International Forestry (MIF)
  • 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

Documents Required for Application

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.
• Applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health related).

Your fully completed application should include (all in one application form online):

• Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form. 
• Submit the Personal Statements. Essay format is not acceptable:
• Submit a CV/resume. 
• Provide two reference letters. 
• Transcripts. 

Application Deadline

October 31, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to University of British Columbia on ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com to apply

Please read through all the application steps outlined below before proceeding to the application. This will help you understand our entire application process, answer any questions that may arise, and help you avoid any errors.

1.DECIDE your Program(s) of Interest from the list. This scholarship is for the following programs ONLY

• Faculty of Land and Food Systems
  • Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
  • Master of Food Science (MFS)
  • Master of Land and Water Systems (MLWS)
• Faculty of Forestry
  • Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM)
  • Master of International Forestry (MIF)
  • 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

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.

You must complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application before you apply to UBC. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Applications are due on October 31st, 2024. Late or incomplete packages cannot be accepted and UBC is not responsible for any packages not received by the deadline.

For more details on this scholarship - visit