Master's Degree Scholarships Open for Refugee Students in Italy
Kakuma, 15 October 2026
The UNICORE 2026 initiative offers eligible refugees full scholarships, tuition waivers, and living support to pursue Master’s degrees at Italian universities, expanding higher education pathways.
Academic Pathways and Financial Coverage
The University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE 2026) programme provides higher education opportunities in Italy for qualified refugee students [1]. Designed to lower financial barriers to advanced studies, the scheme offers a full tuition waiver alongside direct financial support for daily living expenses and an additional study grant in Italy [1]. These financial mechanisms aim to enable students to focus fully on their academic progression without the burden of educational fees [1].
Impact of Academic Corridors
The real-world benefits of educational corridors are reflected in recent academic outcomes across Italian higher education institutions [4]. On 14 October 2026, Okumu Achayo Vicky Lagu, a student originally from South Sudan, earned her Master’s degree in Business Administration (Economia aziendale) from the University of Cagliari [4]. Her graduate thesis examined artificial intelligence adoption within African corporate finance, specifically evaluating institutional return on investment in Nigeria and Kenya [4]. Her trajectory illustrates how academic funding programmes yield high-level research and specialized professional skill development [4].
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the UNICORE 2026 programme, applicants must hold recognized refugee status [1]. Candidates are required to possess an undergraduate degree earned in or after 2021, and no later than 17 April 2026 [1]. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate strong prior academic performance, defined by a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or its official equivalent [1].
Application Process and Deadlines
The formal selection cycle for the 2026 intake began when participating Italian universities published their individual application calls on 2 March 2026 [1]. Prospective students submitted their documentation directly online through the central UNICORE portal [1]. All applications for the 2026 academic cycle closed on 17 April 2026 [1].