Applications are now open for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (Fall 2025 intake) at the University of British Columbia, offering fully funded Master’s degree opportunities for students from Sub-Saharan Africa.

About the Scholarship

The Mastercard Foundation partners with visionary organizations to empower young people in Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada, providing access to dignified work and leadership opportunities. Their goal is a world where youth are thriving and driving transformative change.

Through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, launched in 2012, over 45,000 African youth have been supported in pursuing secondary and higher education. The program addresses barriers in education, strengthens capacity, fosters innovation, and connects stakeholders to amplify impact.

By working with young people, universities, and NGOs, the Foundation aims to create inclusive education and smooth transitions into fulfilling careers, shaping a future where everyone can learn and succeed.

This scholarship is for the following programs ONLY

Faculty of Land and Food Systems

• Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
• Master of Food Science (MFS)
• Master of Land and Water Systems (MLWS)

Faculty of Forestry

• Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM)
• Master of International Forestry (MIF)
• Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM)
• Master of Science/Master of Applied Science in Forestry (Thesis-based)

Faculty of Science

• Master of Data Science

About the School

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the world.

UBC embraces innovation and transforms ideas into action. Since 1915, UBC has been opening doors of opportunity for people with the curiosity, drive and vision to shape a better world.

Study Programme: Postgraduate

Eligible Countries: International Students

Country Host: Canada

Scholarship Reward: Stipend, Accommodation, Travel expenses, Tuition

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship

• Have completed a Bachelor’s degree;
• Not already have a Master’s degree;
• Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application (i.e. born in 1989 or after);
• Be a citizen or a refugee of a Sub-Saharan African country (listed here);
• Be applying for a Master’s degree in one of the eligible programs

Benefits of the Scholarship

• Tuition & Books
• Flights & Immigration support
• Room and Board
• Stipends for living expenses
• Health Insurance
• Career 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)

Selection Criteria

• Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admission to the program of choice
• Track record as a transformative leader and service within their community.
• Quality of application in line with the Program theme.
• Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
• Applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related).

Required Documents

Your fully completed application should include (all in one application form online):

1. Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form.
2. Submit the Personal Statements. The essay format is not acceptable:
3. Submit a CV/resume.
4. Provide two reference letters on official letterhead.
5. Transcripts.

Application Process

Interested candidates should kindly CLICK HERE to visit the official website

Application status: Closed

In partnership with the Chevening International Scholarship, the University of Leicester is now accepting applications for the Chevening-Leicester Scholarships, offering students the opportunity to pursue a one-year postgraduate research program.

About the University

Established in 1921 as Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland University College, the University of Leicester has grown into a leading UK institution, renowned for its groundbreaking research and exceptional teaching. Committed to social inclusivity, the university has a long tradition of providing equitable access to higher education. Originally admitting students in 1921 for external degrees from the University of London, the institution became University College, Leicester, in 1927 and was granted a Royal Charter in 1957, gaining the authority to confer its degrees.

About the Scholarship

The University of Leicester is proud to launch this new exciting scholarship that will support two fully funded scholarships for 2025-26 entry. Recipients will receive a return airfare, a full tuition fee waiver, a stipend to cover living costs and other allowances to fully support them to study with us here at the University of Leicester.

Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations, Chevening offers individuals who show potential to inspire, inform, and influence positive change the opportunity to study at a UK university and gain a UK educational qualification.

Chevening Scholars study subjects in a diverse range of fields and go on to implement their ideas for positive change in various sectors. Chevening Fellowships offer mid-senior level professionals the opportunity to undertake specialized short courses or research placements at UK universities and institutions. After completing their period of study in the UK, scholars and fellows return home and join Chevening’s global network of over 60,000 alumni.

Study Programme: Postgraduate

Eligible Countries: International Students

Country Host: UK

Scholarship Reward: Stipend, Accommodation, Travel expenses, Tuition

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship

• Eligible applicants for the Chevening-Leicester Partner Scholarship must be from Chevening-eligible countries (excluding India) and studying a one-year taught master course within the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities or the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, starting in September 2025.

In addition to the above requirements, you will also need to fulfil the standard Chevening requirements below: 

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory. 
• Commit to returning to your home country for at least two years after your scholarship ends.
• Have at least two years of work experience (2,800 hours).
• Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s programme.
• Apply to three different and eligible UK university courses. You must have received an unconditional offer from at least one of these course choices by the references and education documents deadline listed on the application timeline.
• Before applying for a Chevening Scholarship, you need at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience.  This can include:
  • Full-time employment
  • Part-time employment
  • Voluntary work
  • Paid or unpaid internships
  • Experience gained during mandatory employment for your degree does not count. You can combine up to fifteen different work periods to meet the requirement.

You are not eligible if you:

• Hold British or dual British citizenship (unless you are a citizen of a British Overseas Territory or hold BN(O) and are applying from Hong Kong).
• Hold refugee status in a country not eligible for Chevening. However, if you are a citizen of an eligible country and hold refugee status in another eligible country, you are eligible for a scholarship.
• Are an employee, former employee, or relative of an employee of the UK government, British Embassies/High Commissions, the British Council, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, or sponsoring UK universities. Employees, former employees, or relatives of an employee of Chevening Partner organisations are eligible to apply, but if the employment took place within the last two years, you cannot receive a Chevening Partner Award from the organisation from which you work, previously worked, or are affiliated with through relatives.
• Have previously studied in the UK on a UK government-funded scholarship.

Benefits of the Scholarship

• A return airfare (Payment of travel to and from the UK)
• Full tuition fee waiver
• Stipend to cover living costs
• Other allowances to fully support you during your stay

Required Documents

1. The names and contact details of two referees for your application.
2. Two reference letters written by your nominated referees in English (or with a notarised translation). 
3. Your undergraduate degree certificate or transcript. This must be an official document from your university proving your degree and grade. We require the original documents which do not need to be translated into English.
4. Statement of purpose
5. English Language Proficiency test

Application Process

Interested candidates should kindly CLICK HERE to visit the official website

Application Status: Closed

Applications are now being accepted for the Chevening International Post-Graduate Scholarships. Individuals seeking a master’s degree or a second master’s degree are encouraged to apply.

About the Scholarship

Chevening offers fully funded scholarships and fellowships to individuals with ideas to create positive change.

Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarships and fellowships programme.

Chevening nurtures confidence in individuals’ ideas and provides the education, network, and conviction to bring those ideas to fruition.

Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations, Chevening offers individuals who show potential to inspire, inform, and influence positive change the opportunity to study at a UK university and gain a UK educational qualification.

Chevening Scholars study subjects in a diverse range of fields and go on to implement their ideas for positive change in various sectors.

Chevening Fellowships offer mid-senior level professionals the opportunity to undertake specialized short courses or research placements at UK universities and institutions.

After completing their period of study in the UK, scholars and fellows return home and join Chevening’s global network of over 60,000 alumni.

Study Programme: Postgraduate

Eligible Countries: International Students

Country Host: UK

Scholarship Reward: Stipend, Accommodation, Travel expenses, Tuition

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory. 
• Commit to returning to your home country for at least two years after your scholarship ends.
• Have at least two years of work experience (2,800 hours).
• Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s programme.
• Apply to three different and eligible  UK university courses. You must have received an unconditional offer from at least one of these course choices by the references and education documents deadline listed on the application timeline.
• Before applying for a Chevening Scholarship, you need at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience.  This can include:
  • Full-time employment
  • Part-time employment
  • Voluntary work
  • Paid or unpaid internships
  • Experience gained during mandatory employment for your degree does not count. You can combine up to fifteen different work periods to meet the requirement.

You are not eligible if you:

• Hold British or dual British citizenship (unless you are a citizen of a British Overseas Territory or hold BN(O) and are applying from Hong Kong).
• Hold refugee status in a country not eligible for Chevening. However, if you are a citizen of an eligible country and hold refugee status in another eligible country, you are eligible for a scholarship.
• Are an employee, former employee, or relative of an employee of the UK government, British Embassies/High Commissions, the British Council, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, or sponsoring UK universities. Employees, former employees, or relatives of an employee of Chevening Partner organisations are eligible to apply, but if the employment took place within the last two years, you cannot receive a Chevening Partner Award from the organisation from which you work, previously worked, or are affiliated with through relatives.
• Have previously studied in the UK on a UK government-funded scholarship.

Benefits of the Scholarship

• Full payment of Masters tuition fees.
• Payment of travel to and from the UK
• Payment of visa application fees
• A monthly living allowance (stipend) for accommodation and expenses – this amount will be confirmed in your acceptance letter and will be higher if you’re studying in London

Required Documents

1. The names and contact details of two referees for your application.
2. Two reference letters written by your nominated referees in English (or with a notarised translation). 
3. Your undergraduate degree certificate or transcript. This must be an official document from your university proving your degree and grade. We require the original documents which do not need to be translated into English.
4. Statement of purpose
5. English Language Proficiency test

Application Process

Interested candidates should kindly CLICK HERE to visit the official website

Application Status: Closed