Mastercard Scholarship supports prospective graduate scholars with comprehensive funding and wrap-around supports to enable transformative leadership and community-engaged learning. The Mastercard Scholarship provides tuition, books, flights, room and board, living stipends, health insurance, career services and access to a global alumni network.
The scholarship is delivered by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC, which empowers young people through access & thrive initiatives, community-engaged learning, and programs that support dignified work, agency and voice. The program emphasizes experiential education and partnerships to support scholars’ transitions into careers and entrepreneurship.
Benefits of Mastercard Scholarship 2026
- 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)
Eligibility Criteria for the Mastercard Scholarship 2026
- Citizenship & Residency: Citizen or recognized refugee of an African country, residing there, requiring a Canadian study permit.
- Age: 35 years old or younger.
- Education: Completed Bachelor’s degree (no prior Master’s/PhD) meeting UBC graduate standards.
- Financial Need: Proven economically disadvantaged background.
- Leadership: Track record of community involvement and commitment to returning to Africa.
- Eligible Programs: Selected professional Master’s programs at UBC (Forestry, Land & Food Systems, Data Science).
How to Apply for the Mastercard Scholarship 2026?
- Submit EOI: Complete the online Expression of Interest form on the UBC portal by September.
- Scholarship Application (Round 1): If invited, submit essays, CV, transcripts, and 2 reference letters by mid-October.
- UBC Faculty Application (Round 2): Shortlisted applicants submit an official application directly to their chosen UBC Master’s program in November.
- Interview (Round 3): Attend a virtual panel interview between December and January.
- Final Selection: Receive offer between February and March, process visa, and arrive at UBC in August.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Mastercard Scholarship. These answers cover benefits, timeline dates, contact details, and what the scholarship includes.
What does the Mastercard Scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers tuition and books, flights and immigration support, room and board, stipends for living expenses, health insurance, career services and support, access to a global alumni network, and a Social Entrepreneurship Fund for scholars who wish to start ventures in Africa.
When does the expression of interest open?
The Expression of Interest opens on August 31. The page lists this date in the application timeline as the start of the recruitment process.
When are invitations to apply issued?
Invitations to Apply (R1) are scheduled between September 15 and September 30. The timeline shows this as the R1 window for invited applicants.
When are successful applicants invited to apply to their faculties?
Successful applicants are invited to apply to their faculties (R2) between November 1 and November 20, according to the application timeline on the program site.
When are candidates contacted for interviews?
Successful candidates are contacted for interviews between December 20 and January 1, as shown in the timeline for R3 on the scholarship page.
When are selected scholars welcomed to campus?
Selected scholars receive offers in February–early March for the Winter term, and scholars are welcomed in Vancouver in August for the Winter term, according to the program’s application timeline.
Who runs the Mastercard Scholarship at UBC?
The scholarship is run by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC. The program focuses on access & thrive, community-engaged learning, dignified work, and developing scholars’ agency and voice.
How can I contact admissions for questions?
For questions the program lists a contact email for admissions: [email protected]. The site also links to social channels including LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.
Does the scholarship provide career support?
Yes. The scholarship includes career services and support, academic and social support programs such as GradStart, faculty-focused orientation, degree program specific orientations, and programs focused on student wellbeing and personal development.
Is there support for entrepreneurship?
Yes. The program offers a Social Entrepreneurship Fund intended for scholars who are enterprising and want to start a venture back on the continent, as listed in the benefits on the scholarship page.
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