Italian Universities Offer Fully Funded Master's Degrees to Refugee Students in Kenya
Kakuma, 17 September 2026
The UNICORE 2026 initiative offers refugee students in Kenya fully funded master’s scholarships in Italy, providing a secure, legal pathway to global academic qualifications.
Academic Prerequisites and Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE) 2026 programme, applicants had to meet strict academic and legal requirements [1]. First, candidates were required to hold officially recognised refugee status in Kenya [1]. Academically, the programme targeted relatively recent graduates, requiring applicants to hold a university degree obtained in or after the year 2021, and no later than the closing date of 17 April 2026 [1]. This timeline ensured that the pathways benefited individuals with fresh academic foundations who were ready to transition into intensive postgraduate study [GPT].
Academic Prerequisites and Eligibility Criteria
Furthermore, academic merit played a central role in the selection process. Eligible candidates needed to demonstrate strong prior academic performance, specifically possessing a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 or its functional equivalent [1]. This high standard helps ensure that selected students can successfully manage the rigorous curriculum demands of Master’s level education at competitive European institutions [GPT].
Comprehensive Financial and Academic Support
For successful applicants, the UNICORE 2026 scholarship offered a life-changing financial package designed to remove the economic barriers that often prevent refugee students from accessing higher education [1][GPT]. The scholarship provided a complete tuition fee waiver, ensuring that students did not face academic debt [1]. This financial relief is critical for displaced individuals who lack traditional financial backing or credit access [GPT].
Comprehensive Financial and Academic Support
Beyond academic fees, the programme addressed the daily realities of relocating to a new country by offering robust financial support for living expenses [1]. Additionally, students received an extra study grant in Italy to cover essential educational materials and integration costs [1]. By covering both educational and living costs, the initiative allowed scholars to focus entirely on their academic performance and personal development [GPT].
Application Process and Timelines
The application window for the 2026 cycle opened on 2 March 2026, and closed on 17 April 2026 [1]. This gave candidates an application window of 46 days to prepare and submit their documentation [1][GPT]. During this period, participating Italian universities published their specific institutional calls, outlining unique course requirements and guidelines [1]. Prospective students had to navigate these individual requirements to find programmes matching their academic backgrounds [GPT].
Application Process and Timelines
To secure consideration, all applications had to be submitted digitally through the official online UNICORE portal [1]. Candidates accessed vital instructions and submitted their materials via the dedicated portal at https://universitycorridors.unhcr.it/ [1]. This centralised digital pathway streamlined the evaluation process, allowing multiple Italian academic institutions to review submissions securely and efficiently [GPT].