MasterCard Foundation Scholarship for a Master’s Degree at McGill University, Canada for African Students

Determine Your Eligibility

McGill Graduate Programs: Prospective applicants must consult the departmental requirements as well as the standard graduate admission requirements, to verify that they are eligible to apply. Please ensure that you confirm that your degree meets the equivalency requirements here: https://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/how-apply/you-apply-mcgill/equivalency See eligible programs here.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: Please find scholarship eligibility criteria here.

Please note that meeting the minimum graduate admissions requirements does not guarantee eligibility for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program or admission to McGill University.

Application Forms

McGill Graduate Programs: Begin McGill University Graduate Application, prospective applicants should not proceed with the payment of the application, but complete all other components.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application form in order to have your application pre-screened for academic and scholarship eligibility. Only complete applications that meet the minimum eligibility requirements will be considered.

The submission Deadline for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application is December 1st, 2023.

Pre-Screening

At this phase, applications are reviewed and will be notified within a reasonable timeframe.

Submission of Application to McGill University

If successful during the pre-screening phase, applicants will be notified and granted a fee waiver to be able to submit their application for admission to McGill University.

Department Decision

Once all of the requested documents have been received, the department will review the application in line with their deadlines.

• If the applicant is admitted to their program of study, their Scholarship application will move on to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Selection Committee for review.

• If the applicant is refused admission, they are no longer eligible for the scholarship.

• There may be instances where applicants are admitted to McGill University but are not awarded the scholarship, and they must find other sources of funding.

Successful applicants will be notified in April 2024 if they have been selected for the 2024 Cohort of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program at McGill University.

The first crucial step in securing the MasterCard Foundation scholarship is determining your eligibility. Here’s what you need to consider:

Educational Background: You must have a bachelor’s degree to apply for a master’s degree scholarship. For a Ph.D. scholarship, you’ll need a master’s degree.

Minimum GPA: Make sure to fulfill the GPA requirements for your chosen major. Check the specific GPA requirement for the major you’re interested in.

English Language Requirements:

The scholarship program doesn’t always require proof of English proficiency. You are exempt from providing such proof if:

• English is your mother tongue and your daily language.
• You’ve obtained or are about to obtain a degree from a recognized institution where English is the language of instruction.
• You’ve lived or studied in a country where English is the primary language for at least four consecutive years.

Eligible Countries:

Ensure that your home country is on the list of eligible countries. The MasterCard Foundation scholarship is available to students from a wide range of African countries.

This scholarship to study in Canada is opened for citizens of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Choice of Major:

You must apply for a major that is part of the MasterCard Foundation scholarship program. These majors are designed to address critical issues in Africa and include fields like Animal Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Public Health, and Public Policy, Human Nutrition: Project, Biostatistics, and Biotechnology.

Priority Categories:

You have a better chance of securing the scholarship if you fall into one of these priority categories:

Women applicants

Refugees or internally displaced individuals

Persons with disabilities

Exceptional records of service and community involvement

Age Limit:

Applicants must be under 35 years of age at the time of application.

Application Process:

Now, let’s look at the step-by-step process of filling out the application form for the MasterCard Foundation scholarship at McGill University:

Program Selection: Choose your intended study program, making sure it aligns with your educational and career goals.

Personal Statement: Craft a compelling personal statement. This is your opportunity to convey your motivation, your passion for the chosen field, and how the scholarship and your degree will impact your short and long-term personal and career goals. Be concise and persuasive.

Impact on Africa: Explain how you intend to use the knowledge and skills you gain during your scholarship to positively impact the African continent. Highlight the specific courses and knowledge you’ll acquire and how these will help address critical issues in Africa.

Skills and Attributes: Describe the skills and attributes you will bring to the scholars’ community on campus. Reflect on your past work experience, community involvement, and volunteering efforts. Showcase your ability to work effectively in a team and your passion for learning.

Transformative Leadership: Outline the transformative leadership skills and competencies you hope to develop through the scholarship. How will these skills enable you to lead and conduct research in your chosen field effectively?

Failure and Resilience: Share a story of when you experienced failure, whether at work or school. Explain how you overcame it and what you learned from the experience. Don’t shy away from discussing your failures; they are valuable life lessons.

Attach Your Resume: Include your most recent resume, highlighting your academic and professional achievements.

Academic Transcript: Provide your most recent academic transcript as evidence of your qualifications.

References: Offer two references, either professional or academic. Ensure you provide their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. The admissions committee may contact your references if necessary.

Securing the MasterCard Foundation scholarship to study at McGill University in Canada is a significant opportunity for African students. It’s crucial to invest time and effort into your application, especially in the essays, as they offer the admissions committee a deeper understanding of who you are and why you are the ideal candidate for this scholarship. Best of luck in your application process, and we hope to see you succeed in your academic journey and contribute positively to the development of Africa’s future.

Remember, excellence in your application is key to making your dreams a reality. Don’t rush through your essays, and be authentic in your responses. The scholarship committee wants to know you better, and your essays are your chance to shine. Good luck with your application!