2027 UBC MasterCard Scholarship in Canada (University Of British Columbia) | Fully Funded

The 2027 UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers fully funded master’s degree opportunities at the University of British Columbia in Canada for academically talented young people from Africa who face financial or economic barriers to higher education.

The programme provides comprehensive financial and academic support, including tuition and books, flights and immigration support, room and board, living stipends, health insurance, career support, and access to the Mastercard Foundation alumni network.

In this post, we will provide you with a breakdown of the scholarship details, eligibility requirements, benefits, available programmes, required documents, and the step-by-step process for applying for the 2027 UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.

2027 UBC MasterCard Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Canada
• Host Institution: University of British Columbia (UBC)
• Study Level: Master’s
• Eligible Countries: African Countries
• Eligible Applicants: Citizens or refugees of African countries
• Age Requirement: 35 years or younger at the time of application
• Reward: Fully Funded | Tuition | Books | Accommodation | Living Stipend | Flights | Immigration Support | Health Insurance | Career Support
• Deadline: September 6, 2026

2027 University Of British Columbia UBC MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Details:

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia is designed to provide academically talented young people from Africa with access to graduate education and comprehensive support that can help them develop into transformative leaders.

For the 2027 intake, the programme is accepting applications for selected master’s programmes connected to areas including forestry, agriculture, food systems, environmental management, and data science. UBC’s current programme information states that the new phase of the programme is expected to support 351 graduate students between 2024 and 2034.

The scholarship is not available for every master’s programme at UBC. Applicants must select a programme from the specific list approved under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

The eligible master’s programmes currently 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

Requirements for 2027 University Of British Columbia MasterCard Foundation Scholarship

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, meaning applicants must have been born in 1990 or after.
• Be a citizen or refugee of an African country.
• Be applying for one of the master’s programmes covered by the UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
• Meet the minimum academic admission requirements for the selected UBC programme.
• Demonstrate academic potential and meet the programme’s international credential requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities and a record or potential for community service.
• Show commitment to contributing to the development of their communities and Africa.
• Require a Canadian study permit to study at UBC.
• Be prepared to participate in the programme’s leadership, academic, community-engagement, and career-development activities.

Applicants whose bachelor’s degree was not taught in English may need to provide an approved English-language proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL, depending on UBC’s requirements for their chosen programme.

Benefits of 2027 UBC MasterCard Scholarship

Successful Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UBC will receive comprehensive support that includes:

• Tuition and books.
• Flights and immigration support.
• Room and board.
• Living-expense stipends.
• Health insurance.
• Career services and support.
• Access to a global Mastercard Foundation alumni network.
• Academic and social support throughout the programme.
• Opportunities for leadership development, personal development, and community-engaged learning.
• Access to support designed to help scholars transition into meaningful employment or entrepreneurship after graduation.
• Eligible scholars with entrepreneurial interests may also access the programme’s Social Entrepreneurship Fund.

How to Apply for 2027 UBC MasterCard Scholarship (Step by Step)

Interested and qualified applicants should follow the steps below:

1. Review the eligible UBC master’s programmes and select a programme that matches your academic background and career goals.
2. Confirm that you meet the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program eligibility requirements.
3. Prepare your CV, academic transcripts, reference letters, and other required information.
4. Submit an Expression of Interest through the UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website from August 31, 2026.
5. Complete and submit the Expression of Interest by September 6, 2026.
6. Eligible applicants will be invited to submit the full Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application between September 15 and September 30, 2026.
7. Complete the Mastercard Foundation application, including your personal statements, CV, two reference letters, and transcripts.
8. Applicants who progress successfully will receive instructions to submit an application to their selected UBC faculty.
9. Submit the required UBC faculty application between November 1 and November 20, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
10. Follow any additional instructions provided by UBC regarding admission, supporting documents, interviews, and scholarship selection.
11. Selected scholars will be contacted during the subsequent selection stages, with final scholarship offers expected for the Winter term.

UBC’s current application timeline states that the Expression of Interest opens on August 31, 2026, eligible applicants are invited to the first-round application process in September, successful applicants proceed to faculty applications in November, and selected scholars receive offers for the Winter term after the interview and selection stages.