2025 UNHCR University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme

The project University Corridors for Refugees UNICORE 7.0 is promoted by Italian Universities with the support of UNHCR, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, Diaconia Valdese, Centro Astalli and other partners. It aims to increase opportunities for refugees currently residing in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe to continue their higher education in Italy.

• Table of Content
• About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme
• Aim and Benefits of University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme
• Requirements for University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme

Application Deadline	18 Apr 2025
Type	Masters
Sponsor	United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme

The students will be selected to begin degree courses in September 2025, and will be exempt from tuition fees at the universities participating in the programme and will receive financial support for plane tickets and visa-related expenses, as well as a study grant to support them during their stay in Italy.

Requirements for University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme Qualification

Application is open exclusively to candidates who:

1. Are residing in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and have been recognized refugee status in these countries in collaboration with UNHCR;
2. Hold a qualification valid for admission to the chosen Second Cycle Degree Programme;
3. Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 according to the country of graduation tertiary education grading system or equivalent according to the comparable table issued by the Italian Ministry of Education;
4. Hold a degree obtained in or after 2020 and no later than the call deadline (please note that  some universities do not apply a time limit for graduation, please refer to individual call for applications);
5. Meet the specific admission requirements of the Second Cycle Degree Programme;
6. Have never before been enrolled in a degree program at any of the Partner Universities.
7. Proficiency in the English language is required.

Interview date, Process and Venue for University Corridors for Refugees Scholarship Programme

Selection Criteria

Students will be selected on the basis of merit.

The evaluation will be carried out by Committees of Experts nominated by each university individually.

Selection Process

The participating universities will each identify a Committee of Experts to conduct the selection process, which will be divided into two steps:

Step 1: Evaluation of the documentation. The Committee of Experts will evaluate the documentation according to the following criteria:

• Academic background and GPA (score: 0-20);
• Evaluation of CV: professional experience and personal skills (score: 0-10);
• Coherence between previous studies and selected Second Cycle Degree programme (score: 0-10);

Candidates receiving a score of less than 25 will not be admitted to step 2 of the selection process.

Candidates admitted to Step 2 will be notified by email.

Step 2: On-line interview. Candidates admitted to step 2 will be interviewed by the Committee of Experts, who will evaluate their technical skills, knowledge of the subject and level of English. Interviews will be graded on a scale of 40 points.

Interviews will be held on-line.

Candidates will be notified by email about the date and time of the interview.

Candidates are requested to present themselves for interview with the Ration Card Number or the Refugee Identity Card used during the on-line application. 

Documents Required for Application

Students are required to submit the following mandatory documentation:

1. Refugee ID card or Proof of refugee registration;
2. A certificate confirming the qualification required for admission to the chosen degree programme;
3. Transcripts of exams passed and relative grades;
4. GPA documentation;
5. Curriculum vitae;
6. Motivation letter;
7. Any relevant and additional document required by the specific programmes chosen.

Application Deadline

April 18, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on universitycorridors.unhcr.it to apply

For more details, visit UNICORE webpage