Scholarship Overview
Overview
The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 provides full funding for experienced African healthcare professionals to earn a Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MSc in HPE). This program prepares educators and academic leaders to design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality, innovative, and equitable health professions programs across Africa.
UGHE is the first university in Rwanda and neighboring countries to offer a complete Health Professions Education curriculum. The program specifically targets working professionals who aim to shape national HPE policy, lead institutions, or contribute to the global education evidence base.
People Also Checked: University of Nicosia CyprusAid Scholarship 2027: Full Funding for African Students (Fully Funded)
What the Scholarship Covers
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides comprehensive funding that eliminates financial barriers for selected scholars. While specific monetary values are not published, the scholarship is described as “fully funded,” which typically covers:
- Full tuition fees for the MSc in Health Professions Education program
- Living expenses during in-person intensive sessions at UGHE’s campus in Rwanda
- Travel costs associated with required residential components
- Program-related academic resources and materials
This funding structure enables working professionals to participate without sacrificing their financial stability or incurring debt.
People Also Checked: Google Engineering & Technical Internships 2027: Global Opportunities for African Students (Fully Funded)
Program Structure and Delivery
The MSc in HPE is designed specifically for working professionals through a flexible hybrid model:
- Online learning: Core coursework delivered remotely, allowing continued professional practice
- Immersive in-person intensives: Residential sessions at UGHE’s campus in Rwanda
- Real-world application: Integration of academic theory with practical change leadership, quality assurance practice, and institutional reform
Each module embeds global health equity, inclusive education, and digital innovation. Participants join a growing community of practice—educators across Africa working collectively to transform medical and health professions education.
People Also Checked: University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship 2027: Complete Guide for African Students
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Age: 35 years or under at the time of application (exceptions apply for applicants with disabilities)
- Nationality: Resident and citizen of an African country, or holder of refugee status in an African country
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, with official academic transcripts and degree certificate required as proof
- Experience: Professional experience in teaching, supervision, or educational leadership within health-related higher education institutions preferred; early-career applicants may demonstrate teaching potential
- Employment status: Currently employed applicants must provide institutional endorsement
- Prior degrees: Candidates who already hold a master’s degree are not eligible for this scholarship
This program particularly suits educators from Zimbabwe and SADC countries seeking to advance health professions education standards in their home institutions.
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare and upload the following:
- Valid passport, national ID, or refugee ID
- Official academic transcript(s) and degree certificate(s)
- Employer recommendation letter (signed and stamped) confirming institutional support and dedicated time for online and in-person sessions—required for all currently employed applicants
All documents must be submitted with the single online application. Incomplete submissions or multiple applications will not be considered.
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply:
- Access the online application portal through the official UGHE webpage
- Complete the integrated application form, which includes both the MSc program application and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program section
- Enter all required personal, academic, and demographic information
- Upload all supporting documents in the specified formats
- Submit a single, fully completed application before the deadline
Important: Do not submit multiple applications or partial submissions. These will be automatically disqualified from consideration.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of this program are positioned for significant advancement in health professions education. Career pathways include:
- Educators and clinical faculty in medical and health sciences institutions
- Program directors and deans
- Quality assurance experts
- Institutional leaders and policy advisors
- Contributors to academic literature and international education evidence base
The program emphasizes peer mentorship, regional network building, and access to new leadership pathways across Africa.
Why UGHE and Rwanda
UGHE’s location in Rwanda provides strategic advantages for African healthcare educators. Rwanda has emerged as a global model for health system transformation, offering living case studies in equitable healthcare delivery. The university’s partnerships with leading international institutions provide access to global faculty expertise while maintaining focus on African health education contexts.
For Zimbabwean and SADC applicants, Rwanda’s regional proximity and shared experiences in post-conflict health system rebuilding offer particularly relevant learning environments.