Applications for the University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE 8.0) scholarship program are now accepted for the 2026/2027 academic year.
University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE) is a program developed in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, Diaconia Valdese and more than thirty Italian universities. The 8.0 edition (academic year 2026/2027) provides legal and safe access to higher education in Italy for refugees currently residing in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Selected candidates enroll in second-cycle (Master’s) degree programs at participating Italian universities with full financial and integration support.
About the UNICORE 8.0 Program
UNICORE creates structured “university corridors” that allow refugee students to travel legally to Italy and pursue a Master’s degree. For 2026/2027, the program offers:
- 78 scholarships
- 37 participating universities
- Around 400 eligible Master’s programmes
Applications are submitted through the official UNICORE online platform. Candidates may apply to a maximum of two universities and must follow the specific call published by each institution.
Financial Coverage
Funding packages vary slightly depending on the host university but generally include:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- International travel costs (flight tickets)
- Visa-related expenses
- Living allowance (approximately €6,000 to €18,000 total over two years, depending on the institution)
- Free accommodation (student residence or equivalent housing support)
- Meal plan or meal vouchers
- Health insurance coverage
- Residence permit fee coverage
- Public transport pass
- Personal computer
- Italian language courses
- Psychological and integration support services
Examples of institutional variations:
- Bocconi University provides a total stipend of approximately €8,000 over two years.
- University of Pisa allocates up to €18,000 in total scholarship funds.
- Politecnico di Milano offers approximately €6,000 per year.
- University of Brescia grants around €6,100 per year.
The scholarship cannot be combined with other merit- or income-based awards and does not cover family reunification. Renewal of benefits is subject to academic progress requirements defined by each university.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for UNICORE 8.0, candidates must:
- Reside in one of the eligible countries listed above.
- Hold officially recognized refugee status.
- Have obtained a Bachelor’s degree after 2021 that qualifies for admission to a second-cycle degree in Italy.
- Meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 (or equivalent conversion).
- Satisfy the academic admission criteria of the selected Master’s programme.
- Have never previously enrolled at a UNICORE partner university.
- Demonstrate proficiency in English.
- Not hold another scholarship incompatible with UNICORE funding.
Some universities may impose additional requirements, such as age limits or specific academic conditions.
Required Documents
Applicants must upload certified copies of the following documents through the UNICORE platform:
- Proof of refugee status
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- GPA documentation (and conversion if required)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Motivation letter
Certain universities may request additional materials such as reference letters or video presentations. Incomplete applications are not considered.
Application Procedure
- Consult participating universities and programmes Review available courses and institutional calls published from 2 March 2026.
- Create an account on the UNICORE platform Only one profile is allowed per applicant.
- Submit the online application Upload all required documentation and complete the form carefully. A maximum of two universities can be selected.
- Respect the deadline General application period: 2 March 2026 – 17 April 2026 (12:00 noon, UTC+2)Some universities may apply different closing dates.
- Await communication from universities Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete additional procedures or attend interviews.
The application process is free of charge.
Selection Process
Each university manages its own evaluation process, typically structured in two stages: Stage 1 – Document assessment Evaluation of academic record, GPA, professional experience and coherence with the chosen programme. A minimum score is required to proceed. Stage 2 – Online interview Assessment of academic preparation, motivation, and English proficiency. Candidates must present proof of refugee status during the interview. Final ranking lists are published by each university. Results are generally announced in June 2026. Courses begin in September or October 2026.
Participating Universities and Fields of Study
More than thirty Italian institutions participate in UNICORE, including:
- Bocconi University
- University of Pisa
- Politecnico di Milano
- University of Brescia
- Sapienza University of Rome
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
The exact list of programmes varies by university and is detailed in each institutional call.
UNICORE 8.0 provides structured access to accredited Master’s programmes in Italy, combining academic admission with financial, administrative and integration support for eligible refugee students.
For more informations, visit the official website of the UNICORE 8.0 scholarship program.
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