UNICORE Scholarships for Refugees to Study in Italy

Applications are currently open for the UNICORE Scholarships for Refugees, part of the University Corridors for Refugees initiative known as UNICORE 8.0. The project brings together more than 40 Italian universities working alongside UNHCR, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, Diaconia Valdese, Centro Astalli, and several other partners. The premise is simple but powerful: create a safe academic pathway so refugee students can continue their education in Italy instead of watching their studies stall in the middle of displacement.

For the 2026 edition, this Europe scholarship offers 78 scholarships for refugee students who will begin two-year master’s degree programs at Italian universities starting in September 2026. The initiative focuses on candidates currently recognized as refugees in countries such as Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Each participating university runs its own selection process, reviewing applications based on academic merit, motivation, and the applicant’s preparation for the chosen field of study.

Students admitted through the program receive more than just a seat in a lecture hall. Tuition fees at the host universities are waived, and the scholarship typically includes financial support for travel to Italy, visa expenses, and a study grant to help with everyday living costs. Since the project began in 2019, more than 300 refugee students have entered Italian universities through this corridor system, proving that higher education can also function as a legal and structured alternative to the far riskier paths many displaced students face.

Program details

• Host institution: Partner universities in Italy (Please find the full list below).
• Eligible program: Select from more than 400 Courses.
• Number of scholarships: 78 places available.
• Duration: Duration of the selected second-cycle degree program.
• Target group: Refugees recognized in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

UNICORE Scholarships for Refugees Benefits

The scholarship may include some or all of the following items. Coverage depends on the host university.

1. Full coverage of travel costs to Italy including flight tickets and visa expenses;
2. Exemption from tuition fees at the participating universities;
3. A study grant to support living costs during the stay in Italy;
4. Support for visa procedures and arrival logistics.

Universities participating in UNICORE

Below is the list of participating universities in the UNICORE scholarship program.

Eligibility Criteria for the UNICORE Scholarships for Refugees

Application to this scholarship to study in Italy is open exclusively to candidates who:

• Have been recognized as refugees in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe in collaboration with UNHCR;
• Hold a qualification valid for admission to the chosen Second Cycle Degree Programme;
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 according to the country of graduation’s tertiary education grading system or equivalent according to the comparable table issued by the Italian Ministry of Education;
• Hold a degree obtained in or after 2021 and no later than the application deadline;
• Meet the specific admission requirements of the selected second cycle degree program;
• Have never previously enrolled in a degree program at any of the partner universities;
• Demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

Applicants are strongly advised to read the individual call issued by the chosen university, since admission requirements can vary between institutions.

How to apply for the UNICORE Scholarships for Refugees

Applicants who want to join this scholarship program should follow the steps below.

1. Choose a course from the list of available programs.
2. Create an account on the official application platform.
3. Submit the application and required documents before the deadline.

Application documents

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 additional documents required by the specific programme selected.

Some documents listed here as optional may be mandatory depending on the university. Applicants should always consult the official call for each institution. Submitting fraudulent certificates or diplomas is a crime. Documents will be verified carefully and false submissions can lead to disqualification and possible reporting to authorities.

Please click here to consult the list of courses and read the specific call for each university.

Applications can be submitted from 2 March 2026 until April 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon, UTC+2). For more details on the UNICORE Scholarships for Refugees, please visit the official page.