Educate Africa

Scholarship information and University and Secondary School rankings

McGill University MasterCard Scholarships

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  • McGill University, one of the institutions that hosts the MasterCard Scholarship Program, is an internationally diverse, leading Canadian institution of higher learning that offers high-quality, research-intensive education to all its students.

Scholarship Overview

  • The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) gives academically talented and community-engaged young leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to get a quality university education.
  • The chief aim of MCFSP is to create a highly qualified and globally educated crop of future leaders who will return to Africa upon graduation to help foster the region’s development.
  • All scholars receive funding and guidance for two internships in their home countries. These internships help the scholars to maintain a connection with their country of origin, as well as create a path towards meaningful employment after graduation.

Host School(s)

  • McGill University, Canada

Fields of Study

Selected Master’s Programs in the following fields

  • Master of Architecture (M.Arch. – Professional)
  • Master of Education (M.Ed.)
  • Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
  • Master of Arts (M.A.)
  • Master of Information Studies (M.I.St.)
  • Master of Science (M.Sc.)
  • Master of Applied Science (M.Sc.A.)
  • Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.)
  • Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

What does the scholarship cover?

  • The scholarship covers:
    • Tuition fees
    • Books and supplies
    • Travel costs
    • Accommodation
    • Stipends
    • Up to one year of English instruction if needed
    • Mentoring, counseling, academic support, and social support

How many scholarships are given?

  • 24 scholarships at Master’s level.

Which countries are targeted?

  • Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi
  • Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros
  • Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti
  • Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana
  • Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia
  • Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique
  • Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda
  • São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia
  • South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia
  • Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Am I Eligible to Apply?

  • You must be a citizen of and have been a resident of a Sub-Saharan African country for a significant number of years.
  • You must qualify for one of the eligible programs and receive admission to McGill University
  • You must be a first-time applicant to McGill University, and never registered for or completed graduate studies
  • You must have an exceptional record of service and activity in your community and school.
  • You must commit to returning to Africa after graduation so that you can continue to give back to your community, and your country.
  • You must be from a low-income background with your financial status being in the lowest two quintiles of your country. Note that proof of your financial status will be required
  • You must be less than 35 years old at the time of application
  • You must be nominated by a current McGill Professor or Staff Member from the department in which you intend to apply

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

  • First, check out the list of eligible programs, and then verify that you qualify for the program.
  • Request nomination from the department you want to join via email. Your request should have a transcript, curriculum vitae, and short personal statement of 350 words enclosed.
  • After nomination, create an account on the uApply portal and share the username with the nominating department. Note that you must wait for nomination before opening an account if you are to be considered for the MCF scholarship.
  • Once nominated, you will receive a fee waiver and you will be able to complete the application process in uApply. At this point, you will upload the MCFSP Application form, sponsor letter, and bank statement onto the uApply checklist.
  • Ask your referee to fill in the MCFSP recommendation form and return it to the university.
  • Once all the relevant documents are presented, the department will review the application.
  • Applicants who are successful will receive notification of their selection to the 2021 Cohort of the MCFSP at McGill University in April 2021.

Closing Date

  • The deadline for applications is January 31, 2021.

How do I get more information?

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