The University of British Columbia (UBC) is pleased to be partnering with The Mastercard Foundation to foster the next generation of African leaders. After supporting over 171 Mastercard Foundation Scholars in its first phase, The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC will provide 351 academically talented young people from Sub-Saharan Africa with access to quality and relevant university education at UBC. After graduating, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars will then utilize their learning and experiences to contribute to the economic growth and social transformation of their communities in Africa.
Apply to join the next-generation of leaders who are committed to driving change through sustainable leadership and community-led development. We empower young people in 4 main ways:
- Access & Thrive: Enable young people particularly women, refugees, internally displaced people and persons with disabilities, to access high quality education with intentional and tailored wrap-around support that will ignite them to be transformative leaders driving inclusive and socio-economic change in Africa.
- Community-Engaged Learning: UBC is invested in articulating an experiential education to enable students to apply their knowledge to help address critical social and environmental issues through collaboration with diverse community partners and stakeholder. This progressive learning journey enables students to align with community aspirations. Phase 2 will deepen its existing network with partners in Africa to provide Mastercard Foundation Scholars with meaningful transition into their careers.
- Dignified & Fulfilling Work: Our scholars benefit from academic and social support programs such as GradStart, faculty-focused orientation, degree program specific orientations, and programs focused on student wellbeing and personal development.
- Agency & Voice: Mastercard Foundation Scholars are provided opportunities in a variety of hands-on learning experiences and enriched educational training to develop their skills, mindsets, agency, and voice that will enable them to transition to meaningful employment and/or entrepreneurship.
About MasterCard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. All people, no matter where their starting point in life, should have an equal chance to succeed. We believe that with access to education, financial services, and skills training, people can have that chance. Our focus is helping economically disadvantaged young people in Africa to find opportunities to move themselves, their families, and their communities out of poverty to a better life.... read more... continue reading
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Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Aim and Benefits of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Tuition & BooksFlights & Immigration support
- Room and BoardStipends for living expenses
- Health InsuranceCareer 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)
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Courses
Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Qualification
To be eligible for consideration for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Masters’ Degree Program at UBC, the applicant must:
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree.
- Not already possess a graduate or PhD degree.
- Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
- Be a citizen or refugee of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Have lived a significant part of their life in a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Present economically disadvantaged financial circumstances.
- Have achieved academic excellence under difficult circumstances.
- Show leadership qualities or potential.
- Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to giving back to their home community.
- Be a person who requires a Canadian study permit to study in Canada.
- Not be a person who claimed or will claim asylum or protected person status after arriving in Canada.
- Commit to returning to Africa to apply their training and skills for the betterment of others.
Documents Required for Application
Your fully completed application should include (all in one application form online):
- Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form.
- Submit the Personal Statements. Essay format is not acceptable:
- Submit a CV/resume.
- Provide two reference letters.
- Transcripts.
Application Deadline
October 31, 2024
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
MasterCard Foundation on ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com to apply
For more details, visit University of British Columbia website.