African students looking for a fully funded Master’s opportunity in Canada can now apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Applications for the Winter 2027 intake opened on 31 August 2026, and eligible applicants have until 6 September 2026 to submit an Expression of Interest.
This is a highly competitive opportunity, but it is particularly relevant to African students because the programme specifically targets citizens and refugees of African countries.
What Is the UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia supports academically talented young people from Africa who demonstrate leadership, community service and the potential to contribute to the development of their home countries.
For the Winter 2027 intake, the programme is available for selected Master’s degree programmes at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Who Can Apply?
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Master’s Degree Program at UBC, 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.
Be a citizen or refugee of an African country.
Be applying for one of the eligible Master’s programmes listed by the scholarship.
Meet the minimum academic requirements for the programme they wish to study.
Applicants whose Bachelor’s degree was not taught in English may also need to meet UBC’s English-language proficiency requirements, including TOEFL or IELTS where applicable.
Eligible Master’s Programmes
The scholarship is not available for every Master’s programme at UBC.
For this intake, eligible programmes include:
Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
Master of Food Science (MFS)
Faculty of Forestry
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
This means applicants interested in data science can also consider this opportunity, provided they meet the programme and scholarship requirements.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides substantial financial and support benefits to successful scholars.
The support includes:
Tuition and books
Flights and immigration support
Room and board
Living-expense stipends
Health insurance
Career services and support
Access to the Mastercard Foundation global alumni network
Support through a Social Entrepreneurship Fund for scholars interested in developing ventures on the African continent
The scholarship is therefore designed to provide more than tuition support, helping scholars with the wider financial and transition costs associated with studying in Canada.
Application Process
Applicants should understand that there are several stages to the process.
Step 1: Choose an Eligible Programme
First, applicants should review the eligible programmes and make sure that their intended Master’s programme is included.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC does not cover every graduate programme at the university.
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest
Eligible applicants must submit an Expression of Interest by 6 September 2026.
There are two application streams.
General Stream
This is for interested candidates who are not applying through the refugee and displaced persons stream.
Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream
This is specifically for applicants who fall within the refugee or displaced-person category.
Applicants should select the stream that correctly applies to their circumstances.
Step 3: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Application
Applicants who pass the initial eligibility stage will be invited to submit the full Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application between 15 and 30 September 2026.
The application will require information such as:
Personal statements
CV or résumé
Two reference letters on official letterhead
Academic transcripts
The selection process considers academic merit, transformative leadership, community service, the quality of the application and the potential impact of the applicant’s education on their home country.
Step 4: UBC Faculty Application
Successful applicants who progress through the scholarship process will receive instructions to apply to their selected UBC faculty.
The faculty application period is 1–20 November 2026.
Late applications will not be considered.
Important Deadline
The first deadline is:
6 September 2026 — Expression of Interest
This is an urgent opportunity because the initial application window is very short.
Applicants should not wait until the final day if they already meet the requirements.
Why This Opportunity Matters for African Students
Unlike many general international scholarships, this programme specifically identifies African citizens and refugees as its target applicants.
It also combines financial support with academic, career and leadership development.
For African students who meet the age, academic and programme requirements and need substantial financial assistance to study in Canada, this is a particularly valuable opportunity to consider.
Important: Eligibility Does Not Guarantee Selection
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee that an applicant will receive the scholarship.
The programme is competitive and applicants are assessed on academic merit, leadership, community service, the quality of their application and their potential contribution to the development of their home country.
Applicants should therefore carefully review the official requirements before submitting an Expression of Interest.
Official Scholarship Information and Application
The University of British Columbia is the official source for the scholarship information and application process.
General Stream:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC — General Stream Expression of Interest
Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC — Refugee and Displaced Persons Expression of Interest
Official scholarship information:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC — Graduate Admissions
Smardemia Verification Note
Smardemia.org recommends applying directly through the official University of British Columbia scholarship application process.
The information in this article has been checked against the current official UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page, including the current application deadline, eligibility requirements, eligible programmes and application links.
Applicants should always review the official UBC page before submitting an application because scholarship requirements and application procedures can change.
Deadline: 6 September 2026
Study destination: Canada
Degree level: Master’s
Eligible applicants: Citizens or refugees of African countries
Status: Currently open
The official link:
Official UBC Scholarship Information
https://mastercardfdn.scholars.ubc.ca/graduate-admissions/graduate-admissions-2/