The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) has announced that the applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the Master of Science in Health Professions Education Program (Msc – HPE) are now open. Here is the Application form link.

The Mastercard Foundation is partnering with the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) to implement the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. This global initiative is designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily young Africans, to pursue their higher education and cultivate their leadership potential.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is specifically designed to address the challenges faced by young individuals who lack access to higher education due to economic and social barriers. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program places a special emphasis on reaching young women, refugees, forcibly displaced young people, and individuals with disabilities, encouraging them to apply.

Call for Applications

UGHE invites applications for the Master of Science degree in the Health Professions Education program from qualified candidates from Rwanda and other African countries for full-time study in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program

The Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MSc in HPE) is an 18-month program that prepares health professions educators and leaders to design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality, innovative, and equitable health professions programs across Africa. The program uses a blended model that combines online learning with intensive in-person sessions for hands-on practice, mentorship, and networking.

Applying directly to the full MSc-HPE track through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:

• You are expected to commit to the entire 18-months program and and are not eligible to exit at postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma levels. 
• The only available exit award is the MSc in HPE upon successful program completion. 

During the course of this program, students will complete the modules below. 

Module Code	Module name	Credits
HPE9111	Principles of Curriculum and Course Design	10
HPE9121	Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods	10
HPE9131	Assessment in HPE	20
HPE9141	Clinical teaching	10
HPE9151	Principles of Global Health Equity	10
HPE9162	Program Evaluation and Faculty Appraisal	10
HPE9172	Quality Assurance and Accreditation in HPE	10
HPE9182	Educational Leadership and Management	10
HPE9192	Educational Leadership Practicum	30
HPE9211	Theories of Teaching and Learning	10
HPE9221	Educational Research and Scholarship	20
HPE9231  HPE9241	Practicum in HPE            OR Thesis in HPE	30
Total Credits		180

Eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be 35 or under the year at the time of application (exceptions apply to applicants with disabilities).
• Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in an African country.
• Applicants should have matriculated and successfully graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. Official academic transcript and degree certificate should be attached as proof of completion.
• Experience: Professional experience in teaching, supervision, or educational leadership within health-related higher education institutions (or clear evidence of teaching potential for early-career applicants) is preferable.
• Institutional endorsement: A signed and stamped recommendation letter confirming institutional support and dedicated time to attend online and in-person sessions is required from any applicant who is currently employed.

A candidate who already holds a master’s degree is not eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

How to Apply

• Either fill in the online application, which includes an application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program on the UGHE website, entering the required personal, academic, and demographic information, and the required information for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, or scan the QR code to apply.
• Upload all supporting documents (Passport or National ID, academic transcript, degree certificate, and recommendation letter).

Applicants should submit a single, fully completed application. Incomplete submissions or multiple applications will not be considered.

Application Timeline

Steps	Timeline
Application Opens	22 October 2025
Application Closes	30 November 2025 @ 11:59 PM CAT
Applicant Interviews	December 2025
Final Decision	January 2026

The Scholarship Provides

• Full tuition fees,
• Return tickets & health insurance for in-person sessions held in Rwanda.
• A monthly stipend,
• Laptop,
• Transitions support in the form of mentorship, entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation training,
• Fellowship opportunities,
• Pre-arrival support and an official onboarding program,
• Accommodation and meals for the in-person program,
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars are required to sign a scholarship agreement once they are accepted and enrolled in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UGHE
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars are expected to meet the required academic standards of UGHE to retain their scholarships
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars are expected to comply with the rules and regulations of the University of Global Health as stipulated in the University’s policies.

Who We Are Looking For

We seek talented and committed young Africans who are eager to make a lasting impact, particularly:

• Young women
  • Refugees and displaced persons
  • Persons with disabilities

For    any    application    process-related    challenges,    please    send    your    inquiries    to    [email protected]         and [email protected].

Disclaimer

The University of Global Health Equity and the Mastercard Foundation do not charge fees to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The public is cautioned to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities to local law enforcement. Please notify the University of Global Health Equity of fraudulent activity by contacting us at [email protected].

About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people to pursue higher education and cultivate their leadership potential.

Office Locations

We have offices in Toronto, Canada, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Accra, Ghana, Nairobi, Kenya, Lagos, Nigeria, Kigali, Rwanda, Dakar, Senegal (covering the WAEMU region), and Kampala, Uganda.