UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 Is Open, Apply Before 25 October 2026
UGHE has opened applications for the 2027 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MSc in Health Professions Education). See eligibility, documents, benefits, the deadline in Nigerian time and how to apply.
The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) has opened applications for the 2027 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and the deadline is 25 October 2026 at 11:59 PM CAT. This round is for the Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MSc-HPE). UGHE says this pathway is fully funded by the Mastercard Foundation.
You have about 18 days from today, so don’t wait.
Important dates for the UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | 06 October 2026 |
| Application closes | 25 October 2026, 11:59 PM CAT |
| Admissions interviews | November 2026 |
| Final decision | December 2026 |
CAT is one hour ahead of Nigeria. So the deadline is 10:59 PM in Nigeria. Submit well before that, not in the last hour.
About this UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
UGHE is a university in Rwanda. Its main campus is in Butaro, Burera, and it has an admin office in Kigali. The Mastercard Foundation is paying for 500 young Africans to do a master’s degree there over 10 years, in either Global Health Delivery or Health Professions Education. This call is for the second one.
Health Professions Education is a course for people who want to teach and train health workers, like the people who train nurses, doctors and other health staff. You learn how to design courses, teach, set exams, check the quality of a school’s programs, and lead a department or institution.
The MSc-HPE runs for 18 months (3 semesters) and carries 180 credits. It is blended. That means a lot of the learning is online, then you go to the UGHE campus for the in-person sessions.
The Master of Science in Global Health Delivery for the class of 2027 is already closed, so this HPE one is the only one open right now.
Who is eligible to apply for the UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027
- You must be 35 or under in the year you apply. People with disabilities can get an exception.
- You must be a citizen and resident of an African country, or hold refugee status in one. Nigeria is an African country, so Nigerians qualify under this line.
- You must have a Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. Your official transcript and degree certificate go with the application.
- Already hold a master’s degree? You can’t apply. That one is a hard no.
- Teaching, supervision or educational leadership experience in a health-related higher institution is preferred. It is not compulsory. If you are early in your career, show proof that you can teach.
- If you are working, you need a signed and stamped letter from your employer. It must say the institution supports you and will give you time for the online and in-person sessions.
UGHE says it especially wants young women, refugees and displaced persons, and persons with disabilities to apply.
UGHE doesn’t list the exact degree courses that count as “health-related.” If yours is a borderline one, email mfsp@ughe.org before you spend time on the form.
Documents you need to upload for the UGHE scholarship application
- Passport
- National ID (or Refugee ID)
- Academic transcript or transcripts
- Degree certificate
- Employer recommendation letter, only if you are working
Benefits of the UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The application page for this round says the pathway is fully funded but doesn’t list what is inside the package. The last call, from October 2025, did list it. Expect something close to this, and confirm with UGHE if a particular item matters to you:
- Full tuition fees
- A monthly stipend
- A laptop
- Return tickets and health insurance for the in-person sessions in Rwanda
- Accommodation and meals during the in-person program
- Mentorship, entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation training
- Fellowship opportunities
- Pre-arrival support and an official onboarding program
What the UGHE scholarship will expect from you
You are applying for the full MSc-HPE only. You can’t leave at the postgraduate certificate or diploma level. The only exit award is the MSc in HPE after you complete everything.
If you are selected, you sign a scholarship agreement. You also have to keep up with UGHE’s academic standards to keep the scholarship, and follow the university’s rules.
The in-person sessions are in Rwanda. So check early what travel documents you will need as a Nigerian passport holder, because that can take time.
How to apply for the UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027
- Go to the official page: https://ughe.org/master-of-science-hpe-2/
- Click the “Submit Your Application” button on that page so you land on the correct form.
- Fill in your personal, academic and demographic details. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program section is part of the same form.Upload all your documents
- Submit one complete application.
Send only one application. UGHE says incomplete submissions and multiple applications will not be considered.
Thing to sort out first before the 25 October deadline
Start with the slow ones. The employer letter needs a signature and a stamp, and your boss may not be in the office the day you need it. Ask for it now. Your transcript and degree certificate may also take days or weeks to get from your school, so request them today and not next week.
Check that your passport is valid and scan everything clearly, since you will be uploading it all.
[LOCAL TIP: add a real detail from your own experience with this portal or with getting transcripts in Nigeria]
Application fee and scam warning for the UGHE scholarship
UGHE and the Mastercard Foundation do not charge any fee to apply. If anybody asks you to pay, that’s a scam. Report it to mfsp@ughe.org.
For problems with the application itself, write to mfsp@ughe.org and admissions@ughe.org.
- Program: UGHE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027, MSc in Health Professions Education (18 months, blended)
- Deadline: 25 October 2026, 11:59 PM CAT (10:59 PM Nigerian time)
- Who: African citizens and residents, 35 or under, with a health-related Bachelor’s degree and no master’s degree
- Interviews in November 2026, final decision in December 2026
- No application fee
