The McGill University, Canada is partnering with the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MFSP) to offer Masters Scholarships to eligible African students for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Application Deadlines:
- Applications close: 25th October
- See other deadlines/timelines below
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan African countries
To be taken at (country): McGill University Canada
About Scholarship: McGill University and The Mastercard Foundation are pleased to offer full scholarships to economically challenged, academically gifted Master’s students from Sub-Saharan Africa through The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
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Watch Tutorial: How to Apply to Win the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship program is designed to sponsor outstanding, community engaged students to attend university who otherwise would not have the opportunity, thereby, fostering the development of future Sub-Saharan African leaders and entrepreneurs.
In addition to financial support, Scholars are provided with a comprehensive support network that includes an array of mentoring and support services to ensure each student’s academic success community service engagement and transition to socially relevant employment opportunities, when they return to Africa at the conclusion of their studies.
Offered Since: 2013
Type: Masters ((non-thesis)
Eligibility:
- Be admissible to one of the eligible programs at McGill University.
- Have NEVER registered for, nor completed a master’s degree.
- Be a citizen of and live in a Sub-Saharan African Country (view eligible countries).
- Have a valid passport and be admissible to Canada as an International Student (requiring a Study Permit). Those with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK or EU are not eligible.
- Have an exceptional record of service, leadership, and activity in your school and/or community.
- Demonstrate a desire to give back to your home community.
- Must be less than 35 years old at the time of application.
Applicants with First Class Honors or equivalent have a stronger chance of being admitted.
How are Applicants Selected? The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:
- Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admission to McGill University.
- Track record as a transformative leader and person of service within their community.
- Quality of application in line with the Mastercard Foundation ethos and values of the McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill.
- 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).
Number of Scholarships: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: The MasterCard Foundation Scholars at McGill will receive a holistic set of financial, social, and academic supports throughout their education and during their post-graduate transitions.
Duration of Scholarship: 2 years
| October 28 – November 15, 2024 | Only successful pre-screened applicants will be invited to move on to the McGill University application for admission stage. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified. |
| December 1, 2024 | Application deadline for programs in Public Health and Biostatics. |
| January 15, 2025 | Application deadline for all other programs. |
| Early to mid-February 2025 | Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their admission decision to McGill. |
| Mid-February – mid March 2025 | The McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Committee will select scholarship recipients. |
| Mid-March – early April 2025 | Successful and unsuccessful scholarship applicants will be notified. |
| April – August 2025 | Support is provided by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team through the immigration processes. |
| August 2025 | Orientation and academic programs begin. |
How to Apply: You must apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program first. Only once you have been successfully pre-screened will you be invited to apply to your chosen program of study through the McGill admissions process.
You will find detailed instructions on this special procedure, and complete information about applying to McGill as a MasterCard Foundation Scholar, from the link below.
Visit Scholarship Webpage for Details
Important Note: This application is for MASTER’s (non-thesis) applicants only.
