The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is offering a groundbreaking 18-month Master of Science in Health Professions Education, fully funded through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. This innovative program represents Africa’s first full HPE pathway, designed to transform health education across the continent.

Program Overview

The MSc in Health Professions Education prepares health educators and leaders to design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality, innovative, and equitable health professions programs throughout Africa. This comprehensive 180-credit program combines online learning with intensive in-person sessions, creating a blended educational experience that accommodates working professionals.

Designed for experienced educators and academic leaders, the program equips participants to shape national HPE policy, lead educational institutions, and contribute to the global education evidence base. Graduates emerge as experts capable of navigating the complexities of modern health professions education, leading programs with confidence, and innovating to improve both educational quality and healthcare outcomes.

The curriculum emphasizes workplace integration, policy engagement, and leadership development, positioning graduates to lead educational reforms at institutional, national, and regional levels. Rooted in equity, excellence, and relevance, the program prepares healthcare professionals to become educators, curriculum leaders, faculty developers, quality assurance champions, and educational researchers.

Why Choose UGHE for Health Professions Education

UGHE offers distinct advantages that set this program apart. As the first university in Rwanda and neighboring countries to offer a full HPE curriculum, UGHE is pioneering health education transformation in the region. The program prepares graduates for advanced roles including educators, program directors, deans, clinical faculty, quality assurance experts, and institutional leaders.

Students join a growing community of practice—a network of educators across the continent working collaboratively to transform medical and health professions education. The flexible program design accommodates working professionals through online learning combined with immersive in-person intensive sessions at UGHE’s campus.

Participants learn from leading educators at UGHE and expert partners from renowned international institutions, ensuring exposure to global best practices. The curriculum blends academic theory with practical change leadership, quality assurance practice, and institutional reform, creating real-world impact.

The program facilitates peer mentorship and career growth, connecting educators to build regional mentorship networks and access new leadership pathways. Every module integrates global health equity, inclusive education, and digital innovation, ensuring graduates can address contemporary healthcare challenges.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The Direct Entry Track spans three semesters over 18 months, totaling 180 credits delivered through a blended online and in-person format. Students enrolled through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program must commit to the entire program, with the MSc in HPE as the only available exit award upon successful completion.

The comprehensive curriculum includes foundational modules in Principles of Curriculum and Course Design, Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods, Assessment in HPE, Clinical Teaching, and Principles of Global Health Equity. Advanced coursework covers Program Evaluation and Faculty Appraisal, Quality Assurance and Accreditation, Educational Leadership and Management, and an Educational Leadership Practicum.

Students also complete modules in Theories of Teaching and Learning and Educational Research and Scholarship, culminating in either a Practicum in HPE or a Thesis in HPE. This structure ensures graduates possess both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for educational leadership.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet specific criteria to be considered for this fully-funded opportunity. Candidates must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application, with exceptions available for applicants with disabilities. Applicants must be residents and citizens of an African country or hold refugee status in an African nation.

Academic requirements include successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, with official transcripts and degree certificates required as proof. Professional experience in teaching, supervision, or educational leadership within health-related higher education institutions is preferable, though early-career applicants may demonstrate clear teaching potential.

Currently employed applicants must provide institutional endorsement through a signed and stamped recommendation letter confirming institutional support and dedicated time to attend online and in-person sessions. Importantly, candidates who already hold a master’s degree are not eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Application Process

The application process for the MSc-HPE program is straightforward and comprehensive. Candidates must complete the online application, which includes both the program application and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application, providing required personal, academic, and demographic information.

Supporting documents must be uploaded, including passport, national ID or refugee ID, academic transcripts and degree certificates, and an employer recommendation letter if currently employed. Applicants should submit a single, fully completed application, as incomplete submissions or multiple applications will not be considered.

Important Dates

Applications opened on October 22, 2025, and will close on November 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM Central Africa Time. Admissions interviews are scheduled for December 2025, with final decisions announced in January 2026. Prospective students should plan accordingly to ensure all materials are submitted before the deadline.

Priority Candidates

UGHE actively seeks talented and committed young Africans eager to make lasting impact, with particular emphasis on young women, refugees and displaced persons, and persons with disabilities. The program is designed to create inclusive opportunities for individuals who will drive transformative change in health education across Africa.

Important Notice

The University of Global Health Equity and the Mastercard Foundation do not charge fees to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The public should remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to local law enforcement. Any fraudulent activity should be reported to UGHE by contacting mfsp@ughe.org.

Contact Information

For application process-related questions or challenges, prospective students can send inquiries to mfsp@ughe.org and admissions@ughe.org. Additional information about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is available through the program website.

Transforming Health Education in Africa

This fully-funded master’s program represents a unique opportunity for African health professionals to advance their careers while contributing to the transformation of health education across the continent. By equipping graduates with advanced skills in curriculum design, educational leadership, and quality assurance, the program addresses critical needs in African healthcare education systems. Graduates will be positioned to train the next generation of medical professionals and lead institutional reforms that improve healthcare outcomes throughout the region.

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