The Tokarev Foundation and SET University have launched a scholarship for Ukrainians to pursue an MBA at UC Berkeley Haas. Worth USD 178,000, the scholarship covers tuition fees for the two-year programme. SET University co-founder Serhii Tokarev announced the initiative.
What Is Known About the Programme and Who Is Eligible for the Scholarship
The MBA programme at UC Berkeley Haas gives students access to the Silicon Valley ecosystem, including technology companies, venture capital networks and start-ups. According to the organisers, the scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for the two-year programme. Applicants are responsible for preparing the required documents and completing the admission process independently. Ukrainian citizens can apply regardless of their age or place of residence.
The basic admission requirements for UC Berkeley Haas are:
- a bachelor’s degree and officially translated academic transcripts;
- English proficiency at C1 level (TOEFL or IELTS);
- GMAT or GRE results;
- two letters of recommendation and motivation essays.
The school also preferably requires at least two years of full-time professional experience.
There is a separate requirement set by the organisers, the candidate must propose an idea that will influence Ukraine’s technology market through science, entrepreneurship, education or investment. After admission, the student will become an ambassador of the Ukrainian tech community and will speak at conferences, publicly share their study experience and take part in events organised by the Tokarev Foundation and SET University.
“According to rankings published by Bloomberg and the Financial Times, UC Berkeley Haas is among the world’s top ten business schools. Pursuing an MBA at such a school is not simply about earning a degree; it is about gaining access to the Silicon Valley community, venture capital and technology teams. This is one of the rarest resources available to any entrepreneur. We consider education an investment in the future, so the scholarship aims to ensure that capital and knowledge return to Ukraine,” says Serhii Tokarev.
The founder of the Tokarev Foundation adds that applications to the 2026–2027 MBA programme will be accepted in two rounds, with deadlines of 10 September 2026 and 7 January 2027. Scholarship applications must therefore be submitted by 3 September and 31 December 2026, respectively.
The application and funding process has three stages:
- Candidates submit an online application for the scholarship.
- They meet with the SET University team to discuss the requirements.
- Following the applicant’s official admission, the Tokarev Foundation covers their tuition fees.
