Deadline: September 6, 2026
Applications are open for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at University of British Columbia 2027. The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a global center for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the best universities in the world. UBC’s vision is to create an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada, and the world.
Building on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC’s learnings and success, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in the next 10 years, (2024 to 2034) is projected to support 351 graduate students in seven professional master’s degree programs. Mastercard Foundation Scholars will be provided with transformative learning through enriched educational experiences and a full range of programming that includes academic and social support, focus on student wellbeing, personal development, leadership, and transitions to dignified and fulfilling employment.
The thematic focus will be on forestry, agriculture, and water and land management as key enablers of sustainable entrepreneurship and community-led development. Academic concentrations are areas of strength at UBC with strong potential for impact of community co-created place-based learning, including:
- Faculty of Forestry: Master of International Forestry, Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management, Master of Science/Master of Applied Science in Forestry (Thesis-based), Master of Urban Forestry Leadership and the Master of Sustainable Forest Management.
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems: Master of Food Resources Economics, Master of Food Science.
- Faculty of Science: Master of Data Science.
Eligibility
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;
- meet the minimum academic requirements of the program they are applying to;
- Meet 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.
Selection Criteria
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.
Application
Your fully completed application should include (all in one application form online):
- Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form.
- Submit a CV/resume.
- Provide two reference letters on official letterhead. Attach these to the application. DO NOT email them
- Transcripts.
For more information, visit Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC.
