Published: August 18, 2026;5 min read;By Scholars World

UBC Mastercard Scholarship in Canada: Shall we explore the possibility of a fully-funded scholarship in Canada?

The Mastercard Foundation is inviting interested and qualified Africans to apply for the 2027 scholarships at the University of British Columbia in Canada.

The program offers fully-funded scholarships, covering the costs associated with attaining a Master’s degree. This includes tuition, travel, accommodation, textbooks, food, and living expenses.

In this article, we will provide the full details on the eligibility, financial benefits, timeline and duration, required documents and how to apply for the Mastercard University of British Columbia Scholarship.

Scholarship Host: University Of British Columbia
Host Country: Canada || USA
Category: Postgraduate Scholarships || Masters Scholarships
Benefits: Full Scholarship • Tuition Costs • Accommodation Laptops Living Stipends • Travel Costs
Eligibility: Students from 50+ Sub Saharan African Countries
Deadline: September 6, 2026

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a remarkable $500 million venture designed to empower young people, particularly from Africa, to become leaders through education.

The partnership with the University of British Columbia enables academically talented but economically disadvantaged students from Sub-Saharan Africa to access education.

Since its inception in 2013, the program has committed to providing comprehensive scholarships to over 110 African students over the next decade.

The Mastercard University of British Columbia Scholarship is $25 million grant from The MasterCard Foundation, positioning UBC as one of the pioneering Canadian universities participating in the global education initiative.

This Mastercard Scholarship at the University of British Columbia not only provides financial assistance but also focuses on developing future leaders committed to community development in Africa.

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Selected awardees receive a comprehensive financial package that removes financial barriers:

  • 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)

To be considered for the 2027 award, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Have completed a Bachelor’s degree.
  • Not already possess a graduate or PhD degree.
  • Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
  • Be a citizen or refugee of a Sub-Saharan African country.
  • Have lived a significant part of their life in a Sub-Saharan African country.
  • Present economically disadvantaged financial circumstances.
  • Have achieved academic excellence under difficult circumstances.
  • Demonstrate leadership qualities or potential.
  • Show interest in and commitment to giving back to their home community.
  • Be a person who requires a Canadian study permit to study in Canada.
  • Not be a person who claimed or will claim asylum or protected person status after arriving in Canada.
  • Commit to returning to Africa to apply their training and skills for the betterment of others.

The 2027 UBC Mastercard Scholars Program is open to candidates pursuing the following programmes;

  • Faculty of Forestry
    • Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM)
    • Master of International Forestry (MIF)
    • Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM)
  • 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 Science
    • Master of Data Science

To complete your application, prepare the following documents in advance:

  • Complete Application Form
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Bachelor’s/ Diploma Certificate (Master’s)
  • Personal Statement
  • Academic CV
  • Recommendation Letters
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency 

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The step-by-step guide to apply for the UBC Mastercard Scholarship Program is as follows;

  • Visit the official scholarship portal (Click the link below).
  • Submit an Expression of Interest by September 6th, 2026.
  • Applicants who are eligible will be invited to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program between September 15th to 30th, 2026.
  • Apply to your UBC Faculty by November 1st – 20th, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
  • Once your Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application is complete, successful applicants will receive an email with instructions to submit an online application to UBC.
  • 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
  • Submit your application by the deadline.
Application Deadline: September 6, 2026