University of British Columbia Launches Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation Scholarships for Kenyan Master’s Students
Kenyan graduates can apply for fully funded Master’s scholarships at UBC covering tuition, living costs, flights, and more under Mastercard Foundation program.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 20, 2026
2 min read
The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada has announced fully funded Master’s scholarships for Kenyan and other African students under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The scholarships target the Winter 2027 intake and aim to support young leaders committed to community development.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Tuition fees
- Flights to and from Canada
- Accommodation and living expenses
- Health insurance
- Books and supplies
- Immigration support
- Access to career services and global alumni network
- Additional funding for social entrepreneurship projects in Africa
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a citizen or refugee of an African country, including Kenya
- Holds a Bachelor’s degree but not yet enrolled in a Master’s program
- Age 35 or younger by application deadline (born in 1990 or later)
- Demonstrated leadership and commitment to community service
- May need to meet English language proficiency if undergraduate studies were not in English
Eligible Master’s Programs
The scholarship supports selected programs within UBC’s faculties including:
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems: Master of Food and Resource Economics, Master of Food Science
- Faculty of Forestry: Sustainable Forest Management, International Forestry, Urban Forestry Leadership, Geomatics for Environmental Management, thesis-based Forestry Master’s degrees
- Master of Data Science
Application Timeline and Process
- Expressions of interest open on August 31, 2026
- Deadline for initial submission: September 6, 2026
- Invitations for full applications: September 15-30, 2026
- Faculty applications: November 1-20, 2026
- Interviews: December 2026 to January 2027
- Scholarship offers announced: February to early March 2027
- Program start: August 2027
Applicants progressing to the scholarship stage will need to provide a completed application form, CV, two reference letters on official letterhead, and academic transcripts.
Note: The Mastercard Foundation does not charge any fees during the application process. Applicants should be cautious of fraudulent schemes requesting payment.
