Fully Funded UBC Scholarship 2027 for Master’s Study in Canada

The University of British Columbia offers the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to support academically outstanding African youth who wish to pursue a master’s degree in Canada.

The scholarship targets young leaders who have a record of community service, leadership, and creating change, and who want to use their education to contribute to social and economic development in their countries and African communities.

The scholarship is available for a limited number of master’s programs in fields such as agriculture, food, forestry, natural resource management, and data. It combines full academic funding with academic, social, and professional support.

The scholarship includes the following benefits:

1. Coverage of tuition fees.
2. Coverage of books and academic materials.
3. Airfare from the student’s country to Canada.
4. Support with immigration procedures and the study permit.
5. Coverage of housing and food.
6. A stipend to cover living expenses.
7. Health insurance.
8. Academic and social guidance and support.
9. Career development and work-readiness services.
10. Opportunities to develop leadership and personal skills.
11. Joining the global Mastercard Foundation alumni network.
12. Possibility of benefiting from the Social Entrepreneurship Fund to develop a project or initiative in Africa.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. The applicant must be a citizen of an African country or a refugee from an African country.
2. The applicant must be no more than 35 years old at the time of application, meaning they must have been born in 1990 or later according to the requirements of the 2027 cycle.
3. The applicant must have completed a bachelor’s degree before applying.
4. The applicant must not already hold a master’s degree.
5. The applicant must apply only to one of the eligible master’s programs.
6. The applicant must meet the minimum academic requirements for the selected program at UBC.
7. The applicant must submit an IELTS or TOEFL test if their bachelor’s degree was not taught in English, according to the university’s requirements.
8. The applicant must have a strong academic record that qualifies them for admission to the selected program.
9. The applicant must demonstrate clear experience in leadership and community service.
10. The applicant must explain the expected impact of pursuing a master’s degree on the development of their country and community.
11. The applicant must submit a complete application within the deadlines specified for each stage.

The scholarship is limited to the following programs at UBC:

Faculty of Land and Food Systems

1. Master of Food and Resource Economics.
2. Master of Food Science.

Faculty of Forestry

1. Master of Sustainable Forest Management.
2. Master of International Forestry.
3. Master of Urban Forestry Leadership.
4. Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management.
5. Master of Science or Master of Applied Science in Forestry, thesis-based.

Faculty of Science

1. Master of Data Science.

Required Documents

The complete scholarship application usually requires:

1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
2. Updated CV/resume.
3. Academic transcript.
4. Two recommendation letters written on the official letterhead of the reference’s institution.
5. Personal answers and essays related to leadership, community service, and future goals.
6. Documents proving identity and citizenship or refugee status.
7. Proof of English language proficiency, when applicable.
8. Additional documents required by the master’s program during the application stage to UBC.

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