The University of British Columbia (UBC) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is set to open applications for the Winter 2027 intake, providing eligible young Africans with an opportunity to pursue selected master’s degree programmes at one of Canada’s leading universities.
Applications for the Winter 2027 intake will open on August 31, 2026. The opportunity is designed for talented African students and refugees who demonstrate strong academic potential, transformative leadership, community service, and a commitment to contributing to the development of their home countries.
The program is offered through UBC’s Vancouver campus and is available only for applicants seeking admission to a specific list of eligible master’s degree programmes within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Faculty of Forestry, and Faculty of Science.
For prospective applicants, the application process involves several stages. Interested candidates must first identify an eligible programme, submit an expression of interest, complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application if invited, and subsequently apply to the relevant UBC faculty.
UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 Overview
The Winter 2027 opportunity is intended for qualified African applicants who want to pursue graduate-level studies at the University of British Columbia.
The program places considerable emphasis not only on academic achievement but also on leadership, community engagement, and the potential contribution an applicant can make to the development of their home country.
Successful candidates must therefore demonstrate a combination of:
- Strong academic performance.
- Leadership potential and a record of service.
- Commitment to their communities.
- A clear connection between their proposed studies and development priorities.
- Potential to contribute meaningfully to the development of their home country.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to African graduates seeking advanced training in areas related to food and resource economics, food science, forestry, sustainable forest management, urban forestry, geomatics, and data science.
When Will Applications Open?
Applications for the Winter 2027 intake open on August 31, 2026.
However, applicants should understand that the opening date is not the only important date in the application process. The opportunity follows a multi-stage process, with different deadlines for the expression of interest, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application, and subsequent UBC faculty application.
Applicants should therefore begin preparing their documents before applications officially open.
Who Can Apply for the UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Masters’ Degree Program at UBC, applicants must satisfy the program’s eligibility 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, meaning applicants must have been born in 1990 or after.
- Be a citizen or refugee of an African country.
- Be applying for a master’s degree in one of the programmes specifically identified as eligible under the program.
- Meet the minimum academic requirements for the selected UBC graduate programme.
Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee selection. Candidates will also be assessed based on academic merit, leadership, community service, the quality of their application, alignment with the program theme, and their potential development impact.
Eligible Master’s Degree Programmes at UBC
One of the most important aspects of the Winter 2027 opportunity is that applicants cannot apply to any master’s programme at UBC through this particular program.
The opportunity is restricted to the following programmes.
Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Applicants interested in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems may apply for:
- Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
- Master of Food Science (MFS)
These programmes may be particularly relevant to candidates whose academic and professional interests relate to food systems, agriculture, economics, food production, resource management, and sustainable development.
Faculty of Forestry
The following programmes are available under the 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)
These programmes provide potential pathways for applicants interested in forests, environmental management, natural resources, sustainability, climate-related challenges, conservation, urban forestry, and related areas.
Faculty of Science
The eligible programme under the Faculty of Science is:
- Master of Data Science
The programme may be particularly suitable for applicants with interests or academic backgrounds related to data, analytics, computing, quantitative research, technology, and evidence-based decision-making.
Applicants should carefully review the academic requirements of their chosen programme before submitting an expression of interest.
UBC Academic Requirements and International Credentials
Applicants must satisfy UBC’s minimum academic requirements for the graduate programme they intend to pursue.
Because applicants will be applying from different African countries and may hold qualifications from different education systems, UBC provides information on minimum academic requirements and international credentials by country.
Prospective applicants should therefore verify that their Bachelor’s qualification meets the relevant academic standard for admission to their selected UBC programme.
This is an important step because eligibility for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program does not replace the academic admission requirements of the relevant UBC faculty.
Applicants should confirm their academic eligibility before proceeding with the application.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose Bachelor’s degree was not taught in English may need to take an English proficiency examination.
Depending on their circumstances, applicants may be required to submit results from an approved English proficiency examination such as:
- TOEFL
- IELTS
Applicants should verify UBC’s current English language requirements and determine whether their previous education satisfies the university’s requirements.
Those who need an English proficiency examination should plan ahead so that their results can be available when required during the application process.
Step 1: Decide on Your Programme of Interest
The first major step is to identify the UBC master’s programme you wish to pursue.
Applicants should carefully review the list of eligible programmes and select a programme that:
- Matches their academic background.
- Meets their professional and career objectives.
- Meets the eligibility requirements of the relevant UBC faculty.
- Aligns with their leadership and development goals.
- Is specifically included among the programmes supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC.
Applicants should not assume that every graduate programme offered by UBC is eligible under this opportunity.
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest
After identifying an eligible programme, applicants must submit an expression of interest.
The deadline for submitting the expression of interest is September 6, 2026.
There are two expression-of-interest streams.
General Stream
The General Stream is intended for interested candidates who are not applying as refugees.
Applicants can submit their expression of interest through the UBC application form provided for the General Stream:
UBC General Stream Expression of Interest
Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream
Applicants applying as refugees or displaced persons should use the dedicated Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream:
UBC Refugee and Displaced Persons Expression of Interest
Applicants should ensure that they use the appropriate stream when submitting their expression of interest.
Step 3: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application
After the expression-of-interest stage, eligible applicants will be invited to proceed to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.
The invitation period for Round 1 is scheduled for September 15–30, 2026.
Not everyone who submits an expression of interest will necessarily proceed to this stage. Candidates who are identified as eligible will receive instructions on how to complete the next stage of the process.
The selection process considers several factors.
Academic Merit
Applicants must demonstrate academic ability sufficient to qualify for admission to their chosen UBC programme.
Strong academic performance is therefore an important component of the application.
Transformative Leadership and Community Service
Applicants are also assessed on their track record as transformative leaders and their service to their communities.
This means candidates should be able to demonstrate how they have used their knowledge, skills, experience, or leadership to contribute positively to others.
Community involvement can be an important part of demonstrating this criterion.
Quality and Relevance of the Application
The quality of the application is another key consideration.
Applicants should provide thoughtful, clear, authentic, and well-structured responses to the questions in the application form. Personal statements should directly address what is being asked rather than providing lengthy or unrelated information.
Potential Development Impact
The selection process also considers the potential impact of the applicant on the development of their home country.
Applicants should therefore be able to communicate how their proposed graduate studies can contribute to meaningful development outcomes after completing their education.
Documents Required for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application
Applicants invited to submit the full Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application should prepare the required documentation carefully.
The application is expected to include:
- A completed Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
- Personal statements responding to the questions provided.
- A CV or resume.
- Two reference letters on official letterhead.
- Academic transcripts.
The reference letters should be attached to the application as instructed. Applicants are specifically advised not to email the reference letters separately.
Personal Statements
The personal statements are an important component of the application.
Applicants should answer each question succinctly while ensuring that their responses demonstrate their experiences, aspirations, leadership, community engagement, and development goals.
Rather than simply listing achievements, applicants should explain the significance of their experiences and how those experiences have shaped their goals.
CV or Resume
Applicants should submit a clear and relevant CV or resume highlighting their:
- Academic background.
- Professional experience.
- Leadership roles.
- Community service.
- Volunteer activities.
- Relevant projects.
- Awards or recognitions.
- Skills and achievements.
The CV should complement rather than duplicate the information presented in the personal statements.
Reference Letters
Applicants are required to provide two reference letters on official letterhead.
Applicants should select referees who can provide meaningful information about their academic abilities, leadership qualities, character, community engagement, professional potential, or other relevant attributes.
The letters should be attached to the application as required rather than sent separately by email.
Academic Transcripts
Applicants must also provide their academic transcripts.
Candidates should ensure that the submitted academic documents are accurate and meet the requirements of the application process.
Step 4: Apply to the UBC Faculty
Applicants who successfully complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application stage will receive instructions on how to proceed with the UBC faculty application.
The second round of the application process is scheduled for November 1–20, 2026.
This stage is extremely important because successful candidates must also complete the relevant UBC faculty application.
UBC Faculty Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting the faculty application is November 20, 2026.
UBC has indicated that late applications will not be considered.
Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until the final day to submit their application. Completing the process early can provide time to identify and resolve any issues with documents, application forms, or other requirements.
Possible Application Fee Waiver
Some applicants may be eligible for an application fee waiver.
According to the application information, applicants whose citizenship and correspondence address are located in one of the world’s 50 least developed countries, according to the United Nations classification, may be eligible for a fee waiver.
Applicants should check the relevant list to determine whether their country qualifies.
For applicants whose country is not included on the relevant list, UBC indicates that they may request a fee waiver when submitting their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application package.
If an applicant is subsequently invited to the Faculty Application stage, instructions will be provided on how to use the fee waiver during the application process.
Applicants should pay particular attention to this process because submitting an application without requesting or applying the applicable fee waiver may mean that a refund cannot subsequently be provided.
Important Application Dates for Winter 2027
Prospective applicants should keep track of all the important dates because the application process involves several stages.
| Application Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Winter 2027 applications open | August 31, 2026 |
| Expression of interest deadline | September 6, 2026 |
| Invitation period for eligible applicants | September 15–30, 2026 |
| UBC Faculty application period | November 1–20, 2026 |
| Final faculty application deadline | November 20, 2026 |
The dates above are particularly important because missing an earlier stage may prevent an applicant from progressing to the next stage.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Competition for highly sought-after graduate opportunities can be significant. Applicants should therefore begin preparing well before the relevant deadlines.
1. Select the Right Programme
Do not select a programme simply because it is available.
Applicants should consider whether the programme genuinely fits their academic history, professional experience, career plans, and long-term development objectives.
2. Verify Your Academic Eligibility
Check the minimum academic requirements for your country and intended UBC programme.
This should be done before submitting the expression of interest.
3. Develop a Clear Leadership Story
The program considers transformative leadership and community service.
Applicants should identify specific examples demonstrating how they have:
- Led an initiative.
- Solved a community problem.
- Mobilised people or resources.
- Supported vulnerable groups.
- Created positive change.
- Contributed to an organisation or community.
- Demonstrated initiative in challenging circumstances.
Specific examples are generally more persuasive than broad claims about being a leader.
4. Connect Your Education to Development
Applicants should clearly articulate why their chosen master’s programme matters.
A strong application should establish a logical connection between:
Past experience → proposed programme → skills to be gained → future contribution → development impact.
This can help demonstrate the applicant’s potential contribution to their home country.
5. Prepare Your References Early
Because two reference letters are required, applicants should identify appropriate referees well before the deadline.
Giving referees sufficient time can help ensure that the letters are thoughtful, relevant, and submitted in the required format.
6. Review Your Personal Statements Carefully
Personal statements should answer the specific questions asked in the application.
Applicants should avoid generic responses and ensure that their statements clearly communicate their experiences, motivation, leadership, community engagement, academic goals, and future aspirations.
7. Prepare Academic Documents
Applicants should ensure that transcripts and other academic documents are available before they begin the application process.
If documents need to be translated, certified, or obtained from an institution, applicants should allow additional time.
8. Check English Language Requirements
Applicants whose Bachelor’s degree was not taught in English should determine whether they need TOEFL, IELTS, or another accepted English proficiency assessment.
Taking the test early can prevent delays later in the process.
Why Applicants Should Pay Attention to the Multi-Stage Process
A major feature of the UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application is that it is not a single-step application.
Candidates first express their interest. Eligible applicants may then be invited to complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application. Successful candidates subsequently receive instructions for applying to their UBC faculty.
This means applicants should carefully monitor their email and follow every instruction provided by UBC.
Missing an invitation, failing to submit a required document, or overlooking a subsequent faculty application deadline could affect an applicant’s ability to proceed.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The opportunity may be particularly relevant to African graduates who have completed a Bachelor’s degree and want to pursue advanced studies in one of the specified fields at UBC.
Strong candidates are likely to be individuals who can demonstrate both academic readiness and a meaningful record of leadership or service.
The opportunity may therefore appeal to applicants with backgrounds in areas such as:
- Agriculture and food systems.
- Food science.
- Economics and resource management.
- Forestry.
- Environmental management.
- Natural resource management.
- Urban forestry.
- Geomatics.
- Data science.
- Sustainability and development.
However, applicants must still satisfy the specific academic and programme requirements of their chosen UBC degree.
Where to Submit the Expression of Interest
Applicants should use the official UBC application channels corresponding to their applicant category.
General Stream:
Submit the General Stream Expression of Interest
Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream:
Submit the Refugee and Displaced Persons Expression of Interest
Applicants should carefully read the official instructions before submitting any information.
Visit HERE for more information about the UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027.
Application Deadline
The first major deadline is September 6, 2026, when expressions of interest must be submitted.
Applicants who progress through the selection process will then have additional deadlines to meet, including the UBC Faculty application period from November 1 to November 20, 2026.
The final faculty application deadline is November 20, 2026, and late applications will not be considered.
Because the process begins with an expression of interest, prospective applicants should not wait until November to begin preparing.
Key Takeaway for Prospective Applicants
The Winter 2027 UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program presents an opportunity for eligible African applicants to pursue selected master’s degrees at the University of British Columbia.
However, prospective applicants should understand that eligibility alone does not guarantee selection. The process places importance on academic merit, transformative leadership, community service, the quality of the application, and the potential contribution of the applicant to the development of their home country.
Applicants should begin by identifying an eligible programme, confirming their academic qualifications, preparing their supporting documents, and submitting the appropriate expression of interest before the September 6, 2026 deadline.
Those invited to continue should then complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application and, if successful, proceed to the relevant UBC faculty application within the specified November deadline.
Conclusion
The UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Winter 2027 opportunity offers eligible African applicants a structured pathway toward graduate study at the University of British Columbia.
With eligible programmes spanning food and resource economics, food science, sustainable forest management, international forestry, urban forestry leadership, geomatics for environmental management, forestry research, and data science, the opportunity covers several fields connected to Africa’s development priorities and the future of sustainable communities.
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements should begin preparing early rather than waiting for the application window to open. Academic records, CVs, reference letters, personal statements, English-language requirements, and programme eligibility should all be reviewed in advance.
The first critical deadline is September 6, 2026, for the expression of interest, followed by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program selection stage and the November 20, 2026 final deadline for the UBC Faculty application.
Prospective applicants should carefully follow the official UBC instructions throughout every stage of the process and ensure that all required information is submitted accurately and on time.
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