AK Travels Limited

Summary

• Host: University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada
• Programme: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• Study Level: Master’s degree
• Intake: Winter 2027
• Location: Vancouver, Canada
• Eligibility: African citizens or refugees from African countries
• Age: 35 years or younger
• Funding: Fully funded
• Expression of Interest Deadline: 6 September 2026
• Mastercard Foundation Application: 15–30 September 2026, by invitation
• UBC Faculty Application: 1–20 November 2026, by invitation

About the Scholarship/Programme

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) provides graduate education and comprehensive support to young Africans who have the academic ability, leadership potential and commitment to contribute to positive change in their communities and home countries.

For the Winter 2027 intake, UBC is accepting applications for selected master’s programmes in the Faculties of Land and Food Systems, Forestry and Science.

The programme’s current phase is designed to support young African leaders through academic education, community-engaged learning, leadership development, wellbeing support and preparation for dignified and fulfilling work. UBC states that the programme’s thematic focus includes forestry, agriculture, and water and land management, with an emphasis on sustainable entrepreneurship and community-led development.

Importantly, applicants do not simply submit a direct scholarship application at the beginning. The process starts with an expression of interest. Eligible candidates are subsequently invited to complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application before selected applicants proceed to the relevant UBC faculty application.

Scholarship Benefits

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC covers major costs associated with participating scholars’ studies and provides comprehensive support.

Officially listed benefits include:

• Tuition and books.
• Flights and immigration support.
• Room and board.
• Stipends for living expenses.
• Health insurance.
• Career services and support.
• Access to the global Mastercard Foundation Scholars alumni network.
• Access to the Social Entrepreneurship Fund for scholars interested in establishing ventures on the African continent.
• Academic and social support.
• Student wellbeing and personal development programming.
• Leadership development and experiential learning opportunities.

The programme is designed not only to support students financially but also to help scholars develop the skills, networks and experience needed to transition into meaningful employment or entrepreneurship and contribute to their communities.

Who Can Apply?

For the Winter 2027 graduate intake, applicants must meet the official UBC requirements.

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.
• Apply for one of the specific eligible Master’s programmes.
• Meet the minimum academic requirements for the chosen UBC programme.

If the applicant’s Bachelor’s degree was not taught in English, UBC requires the applicant to arrange an approved English proficiency examination, such as TOEFL or IELTS, where applicable.

Eligible Master’s Programmes

The scholarship is available only for the following programmes:

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

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Choose an Eligible Programme

Review the listed master’s programmes and select the one that matches your academic background and career interests.

Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest

Submit the official Expression of Interest by 6 September 2026.

There are separate streams for the general applicant pool and refugees/displaced persons.

Step 3: Wait for an Invitation

Eligible candidates will be invited to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program between 15 and 30 September 2026.

Step 4: Complete the Scholarship Application

Invited applicants must submit:

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
• CV/resume.
• Two reference letters on official letterhead.
• Academic transcripts.

UBC specifically instructs applicants to attach the reference letters to the application rather than email them separately.

Step 5: Faculty Application

Successful scholarship applicants will receive instructions to submit an application to their selected UBC faculty between 1 and 20 November 2026.

Late faculty applications will not be considered.

Step 6: Interviews and Final Selection

Successful candidates are contacted for interviews during December–January, with selected scholars receiving offers for the Winter term in February.

Important Deadline

Expression of Interest Deadline: 6 September 2026

Scholarship Application: 15–30 September 2026, by invitation

UBC Faculty Application: 1–20 November 2026, by invitation

Interviews: December 2026–January 2027

Scholarship Offers: February 2027

Arrival in Vancouver: August 2027

The most immediate deadline for prospective applicants is therefore 6 September 2026, when the expression-of-interest period closes.

Related Opportunities

1. University of Cape Town Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027

A previously drafted Mastercard Foundation opportunity for eligible African students seeking fully supported study at the University of Cape Town.

2. EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship 2027 in the USA

A previously drafted graduate fellowship combining funded study at the University of Hawaiʻi with leadership, cultural exchange and international community development.

3. KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027 in South Korea

A previously drafted funded graduate opportunity for international students seeking advanced study and research in South Korea.

Official Application Link

Official UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application page:

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

The UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a fully funded graduate opportunity specifically designed for eligible young Africans, but applicants should pay close attention to the programme’s restricted list of eligible master’s degrees.

For the Winter 2027 intake, the scholarship is available only for the programmes listed by UBC in Land and Food Systems, Forestry and Data Science. Applicants must also be 35 or younger, have completed a Bachelor’s degree and must not already hold a Master’s degree.

The application process is also different from many scholarships. Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest by 6 September 2026. Only eligible candidates will subsequently be invited to submit the full Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.

Selected applicants then proceed to the relevant UBC faculty application in November. This means applicants should not submit a regular UBC graduate application before receiving the appropriate invitation, unless instructed otherwise by the programme.

The scholarship provides comprehensive support, including tuition and books, flights and immigration support, accommodation, living stipends, health insurance and career services. Scholars also gain access to leadership development, community-engaged learning and the Mastercard Foundation global alumni network.

Applicants should use the official UBC page for the Expression of Interest forms and carefully follow the separate instructions for the general and refugee/displaced-person streams.

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