MastersFully Funded Closed 131 days ago

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Last verified 21 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers fully funded Master's degrees to 500 young African scholars committed to transformative change in Africa, particularly those overcoming social and economic barriers.

Provider: University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) and Mastercard Foundation
Host country: Rwanda
Deadline: January 18, 2026
Region: Africa

Official source

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is open to African students applying to study in Rwanda at the Masters level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for Rwanda
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Masters
Deadline: January 18, 2026

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must be citizens of African countries, aged 35 or younger at admission, hold an undergraduate degree, demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, commitment to community service, and have faced significant barriers to higher education.

What the fully funded award covers

Full tuition
Accommodation
Return airfare
Health insurance
Books & materials
Internship placement

About the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (2026)

## Overview The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is offering the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. This prestigious scholarship provides a fully funded opportunity for 500 young African scholars to pursue Master's degree programs at UGHE in Rwanda. The program aims to cultivate future leaders in health equity who are dedicated to driving transformative change across the African continent. ## Benefits This is a fully funded scholarship designed to remove all financial barriers to education. Chosen scholars will receive: * Full tuition fees for the entire duration of their Master's program (typically two years). * Comprehensive living stipends to cover daily expenses. * Accommodation within a conducive learning environment. * Medical insurance for the period of study. * A laptop and essential study materials. * Economy return flight travel costs. * Exclusive access to an Entrepreneurial Fund. * Pre-arrival orientation to facilitate a smooth transition. * Specialized leadership and entrepreneurship training. * Valuable internship placements. * Post-graduation mentorship to support career development. * Lifelong membership in both the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni Network and the UGHE Alumni Network, fostering a strong professional community. ## Eligibility To be considered for this impactful scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: * Be a citizen of an African country. * Be 35 years of age or younger at the time of admission. * Possess a completed undergraduate degree. * Demonstrate exceptional academic excellence. * Exhibit strong leadership potential and a proven commitment to community service. * Have experienced significant barriers to accessing higher education due to social, financial, personal, or health-related challenges. Eligible Master's degree programs at UGHE include: * Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) * Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) ## Required documents While the article does not list specific documents, based on standard postgraduate applications, prospective applicants should prepare: * Academic transcripts from previous degrees. * A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV). * A compelling personal statement outlining their motivations and aspirations. * At least two letters of recommendation. ## Application steps The application process for the UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is streamlined for eligible candidates: 1. **Apply for admission to UGHE:** Begin by applying for admission to either the Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) or the Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) program. Note that MGHD applications typically open on November 14, 2025, while MHPE applications are currently open. 2. **Complete the online application form:** Utilize UGHE’s admissions portal to submit your application. 3. **Submit required documents:** Ensure all necessary documents, including academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, and references, are submitted as part of your admission application. 4. **Automatic Scholarship Consideration:** Successfully admitted applicants to UGHE who meet the scholarship eligibility criteria will be automatically considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. ## Key dates * **Application Deadline:** January 18, 2026 * **MGHD Applications Open:** November 14, 2025 * **MHPE Applications Open:** Currently open ## Selection criteria Applicants are rigorously selected based on a holistic review process that evaluates: * **Academic Merit and Admission to UGHE:** A strong academic record and successful admission to one of UGHE's Master's programs are foundational. * **Demonstrated Leadership Potential:** Evidence of leadership qualities and the capacity to drive change. * **Commitment to Equity and Community Service:** A strong dedication to improving health outcomes and serving communities, particularly those in need. * **Consideration of Financial Hardship and Barriers to Education:** The program prioritizes candidates who have overcome significant challenges in accessing higher education. This ensures the program supports those who can benefit most from the opportunity. ## Tips * **Highlight your leadership and community involvement:** Showcase any experiences where you have taken initiative, led projects, or contributed positively to your community, especially in health-related areas. * **Craft a compelling personal statement:** Use this opportunity to articulate your passion for global health equity, your future aspirations, and how this scholarship will enable you to achieve your goals. Be authentic and sincere. * **Emphasize your resilience:** If you have faced significant barriers, share how these experiences have shaped your determination and commitment to making a difference. * **Thoroughly review your application:** Ensure all documents are accurate, complete, and submitted by the deadline. * **Prepare strong recommendation letters:** Choose referees who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities, leadership potential, and commitment to service. ## Official source For further details and to apply, please visit the official UGHE Mastercard Scholarship webpage: [UGHE Mastercard Scholarship – Apply Here](https://ughe.org/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program-at-the-university-of-global-health-equity/)

What the Fully Funded University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition
Accommodation
Return airfare
Health insurance
Books & materials
Internship placement

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program eligibility for Rwanda applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must be citizens of African countries, aged 35 or younger at admission, hold an undergraduate degree, demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, commitment to community service, and have faced significant barriers to higher education.

Documents required for the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://ughe.org/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program-at-the-university-of-global-health-equity/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must be citizens of African countries, aged 35 or younger at admission, hold an undergraduate degree, demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, commitment to community service, and have faced sign…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://ughe.org/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program-at-the-university-of-global-health-equity/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Aim to have the full draft complete by 19 Nov 2025. Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by January 18, 2026 (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours before the 18 Jan 2026 deadline. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) and Mastercard Foundation will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (January 18, 2026). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

12 months out
23 Jan 2025
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
22 Jul 2025
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
20 Oct 2025
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
19 Dec 2025
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
18 Jan 2026
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Editorial verification note

Imported from afterschoolafrica.com editorial listing.

Last checked 5/21/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) and Mastercard Foundation, and be able to relocate to Rwanda for the duration of the programme.

Is the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is January 18, 2026. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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