The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a $500 million initiative to inspire young people — particularly from Africa — to lead change through education.
The University of British Columbia, Canada partners with the MasterCard foundation Scholars Programme to grant $25M Scholarships to African students.
Course Level:Â Undergraduate, Masters
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries:Â African countries
To be taken at (country):Â University of British Columbia, Canada
Eligible Fields of Study:Â Development related fields
Offered Since:Â 2013
Undergraduate Eligibility and Selection Criteria:Â To be eligible for consideration as an undergraduate for The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC, the nominee must:
- be a citizen of and residing in a Sub-Saharan African country;
- present economically disadvantaged financial circumstances, and be able to show they lack financial means from family or other sources to pursue post-secondary (university) education in their home country or elsewhere;
- have achieved academic excellence under difficult circumstances, and show leadership qualities or potential;
- demonstrate an interest in and commitment to giving back to his/her home community in ways that enhance the economic growth and social development of Africa, through engagement in activities outside the classroom, in the school and/or community;
- be graduating/recently graduated from a recognized senior secondary school;
- be applying for their first undergraduate degree in one of the following Faculties at UBC’s Vancouver campus:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering)
- Faculty of Forestry (Bachelor of Science in Forestry)
- Faculty of Land & Food Systems (including Global Resource Systems; Food, Nutrition & Health; Applied Biology [Applied Animal Biology, Applied Plant & Soil Sciences or Food & the Environment])
- Sauder School of Business (Bachelor of Commerce)
- be an international student who will be studying at UBC on a Canadian Study Permit;
- commit to returning to Africa immediately after graduation from UBC in order to apply their training and skills to the betterment of others.
Graduate Eligibility and Selection Criteria:Â
- have completed a Bachelor’s degree;
- be a citizen of and have lived a significant part of their life in a Sub-Saharan African country;
- present economically disadvantaged financial circumstances, and be able to show lack of financial means from family or other sources to pursue graduate education in their home country or elsewhere;
- have achieved academic excellence under difficult circumstances, and show leadership qualities or potential;
- demonstrate an interest in and commitment to giving back to his/her home community in ways that enhance the economic growth and social development of Africa, through engagement in activities in their current profession, university or community;
- be applying for a Master’s degree in one of the following Faculties and programs at UBC’s Vancouver campus listed in the Graduate Scholarship Webpage (see Link below)
- be a person who requires a Canadian study permit to study in Canada;
- commit to returning to Africa immediately after graduation from UBC in order to apply their training and skills to the betterment of others.
Number of Scholarships:Â 110 students over the next 10 years
Value of Scholarship:Â Selected students will receive a scholarship equivalent to the costs related to attaining a degree, including travel, tuition, textbooks, housing, food, and living expenses. You will also receive financial, academic, social, and post-graduation support which will enable you to build experiences and competencies critical for academic success.
Duration of Scholarship:Â Full period of study
Method of Application:
Undergraduate Scholarship: A student must be nominated for the Undergraduate MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia. Nominations will be accepted from secondary schools and recognized international development agencies and their affiliates, or registered local or international charitable and not-for-profit organizations. Each school or organization may nominate a maximum of three students. Note that you will need to apply online to the University of British Columbia AND also submit the Undergraduate MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program nomination package.
Graduate Scholarship: Please find more information in the Graduate Scholarship Webpage Link below.
Nominations: When students are confirmed for nomination, their  high school or recognized non-profit organization must use the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program nomination package. Find the Nomination package in the link below.
Visit Undergraduate Scholarship Webpage for Details
Visit Graduate Scholarship Webpage for Details
Scholarship Application Deadlines:Â
Undergraduate Application Deadline:Â 15th November, 2017
Graduate Application Deadlines:
- Admissibility Submission: 10th November, 2017, Sauder Admissibility Submission: 1st November, 2017
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application 17th November, 2017
- UBC Faculty Applications:
Forestry: 1st January, 2018 Land and Food Systems: 1st January, 2018 Education:
- Masters of Educational Administration and Leadership (M.Ed) – 1st January, 2018
- Masters of Higher Education (M.Ed) – 1st January, 2018
- Masters in Science Education (M.Ed) – 1st December, 2017
Sponsors:Â MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme (MFSP)
