- Eligible Kenyan graduates aged 35 and below can seek consideration for UBC’s 2027 scholarship intake.
- Successful scholars receive tuition, travel, accommodation, living expenses, health insurance and career-development support.
- The first application stage opens August 31, with expressions of interest closing September 6, 2026.
A prestigious Canadian university has opened a potentially life-changing opportunity for young Kenyan graduates seeking to pursue postgraduate studies abroad without the financial burden normally associated with international education.
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is inviting eligible young Africans to express interest in its Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the 2027 intake, offering comprehensive financial support to successful Master’s candidates. UBC confirms that applications for its Winter 2027 intake open on August 31, 2026.
The programme is designed for academically talented young people who have demonstrated leadership, community involvement and a commitment to driving meaningful change in their societies.
For Kenyan graduates, the scholarship presents an opportunity to acquire advanced international qualifications while building professional networks that could contribute to development at home and across Africa.
Unlike scholarships that cover tuition alone, the UBC programme provides a broader financial package. Successful scholars can receive support for tuition and academic expenses, books, international travel, accommodation, living costs and health insurance.
The programme also provides immigration-related support, career development opportunities and access to the Mastercard Foundation’s global alumni network.
Scholars interested in entrepreneurship and social innovation may additionally benefit from a Social Entrepreneurship Fund designed to support ventures capable of generating measurable impact in African communities. These benefits are confirmed by UBC.
Who can apply?
The opportunity is open to citizens and refugees from African countries, including Kenya.
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree but must not already hold a Master’s qualification. They must also be aged 35 or younger at the time of application.
For the 2027 intake, this means applicants should have been born in 1990 or later.
Applicants whose previous university education was not conducted in English may also be required to meet UBC’s English-language proficiency requirements.
However, academic qualifications alone will not determine who receives the scholarship.
UBC places considerable emphasis on leadership and community impact. Candidates are expected to demonstrate how they have contributed to their communities and how their education, skills and future careers could help address challenges in their home countries.
The selection process will therefore consider academic strength, leadership experience, community service, the quality and focus of the application and the applicant’s potential contribution to development after graduation.
Master’s programmes covered
The scholarship does not apply to every postgraduate programme offered by UBC, making it important for prospective applicants to confirm that their preferred course is among those supported.
Eligible programmes include the Master of Food and Resource Economics and Master of Food Science under the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
The Faculty of Forestry also offers several qualifying programmes, including the Master of Sustainable Forest Management, Master of International Forestry, Master of Urban Forestry Leadership and Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management.
Qualifying thesis-based Forestry Master’s programmes are also included.
Another notable option is the Master of Data Science, opening the door for applicants interested in one of the world’s fastest-growing professional fields.
UBC says the second phase of its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, covering 2024 to 2034, is projected to support 351 graduate students.
Application dates
The first step for prospective candidates is an expression of interest.
The expression-of-interest window is scheduled to open on August 31, 2026, and close on September 6, 2026.
Candidates who successfully advance to the next stage are expected to be invited to submit full scholarship applications between September 15 and September 30, 2026.
Faculty applications are scheduled for November 1 to November 20, followed by possible interviews between December 2026 and January 2027.
Successful candidates are expected to receive scholarship offers between February and early March 2027, with scholars expected to travel to Vancouver in August 2027.
Those progressing to the scholarship application stage will need to prepare key documents, including a completed application form, curriculum vitae or résumé, two reference letters on official letterhead and academic transcripts.
Opportunity comes with fraud warning
With international scholarships attracting thousands of applicants, prospective scholars have also been warned to remain vigilant against fraudsters.
Applicants should rely exclusively on official UBC and Mastercard Foundation communication channels when seeking information about eligibility, applications and selection.
The Mastercard Foundation does not solicit funding or request payments from individuals. It specifically warns about fraudulent social-media advertisements claiming to recruit scholars and requesting application fees.
The UBC opportunity offers more than a route to a Canadian Master’s degree. For successful Kenyan scholars, it could provide access to international academic exposure, professional networks, leadership development and resources that can be channelled into solving challenges within their communities.
For young graduates who meet the age, academic and leadership requirements, the immediate priority is to prepare early, identify an eligible Master’s programme and ensure that all required documentation is ready before the application window opens.
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The opportunity also reinforces the growing role of international scholarship programmes in giving talented African graduates access to advanced education while preparing them to return their skills and expertise to communities across the continent.
By Hillary Muhalya
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