The University of Pisa is involved, along with other Italian universities, in the University Corridors for Refugee Students Project, promoted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The University of Pisa announced the UNI-CO-RE 6.0 Call -University Corridors for Refugees, academic year 2024 -2026 -for the selection of a refugee student from Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe, holding a qualification suitable for admission to English-language Master’s Degree Courses.
The student selected based on merit criteria will receive financial support from the visa issuance and entry into Italy, continuing throughout the normal duration of the degree course.
The Project includes the direct involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Caritas, the Waldensian Evangelical Church, the Centro Astalli, the Ghandi Charity, as well as the participation of other local institutions.
It aims to consolidate and strengthen a legal and safe entry channel to facilitate the access of refugees to university education in Italy and to promote their social integration and active participation in academic life, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees and the Inclusive University Manifesto, promoted by UNHCR and signed by the University of Pisa.
Advantages
The student selected by the UNI-CO-RE 6.0 project will receive support for:
- pre-registration at the Italian Embassy and immigration procedures
- the admission procedure for the English-language Master’s Degree Courses of the University of Pisa listed in Annex 2
- integration into university life and local community.
Furthermore, they will receive financial support which consists of:
- full coverage of expenses incurred before arriving in Italy (e.g. visa application and preparation of supporting documents will be covered by Italian Caritas and airline tickets will be covered by the University of Pisa)
- a total scholarship amount of EUR 18,000 (awarded every two years and paid in monthly instalments) covered by the University of Pisa in accordance with the merit requirements listed in art. 6 of the call
- support for applying to the annual call for scholarships and accommodation of the Diritto allo studio universitario – DSU Toscana
- complete exemption from university fees and contributions
- support in finding shared accommodation from arrival until at least December 2024
- free Italian-language course and the opportunity to attend other language courses for free in collaboration with the University Language Centre (CLI)
- allowance of EUR 100 upon arrival in Italy to cover basic necessities, payment of the regional tax and related stamp duty for the first and second year of the Master’s Degree Course, purchase of a SIM card, and coverage of the cost of the residence permit provided by the Waldensian Diaconia
- support from the International Office and the Buddy service to facilitate integration into the life and community of local students
- additional support from local partners signing the cooperation agreement.
Requirements
You can only apply if:
- you reside in Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe and have obtained refugee status recognition in these countries in cooperation with UNHCR
- you hold a valid qualification, issued by a duly accredited university in Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe, that allows you to continue your studies in your chosen second cycle. The qualification must be obtained between 2019 and by 28 February 2024 with a GPA of at least 3.0 according to the tertiary education grading system of the country where the title was obtained or equivalent according to the conversion table of the Ministry of Education, University and Research
- you are interested in enrolling in a Master’s Degree Course at the University of Pisa delivered in English and you have specific admission requirements
- you have never been enrolled in a degree course at one of the partner universities.
Knowledge of the English language is required.
How and when to participate
The application request, along with all the documentation, must be sent only through the UNICORE website.
- Publication of the call: 1 March 2024
- Application deadline: 15 April 2024 12:00 am
- Publication of final results: 18 June 2024
Call and attachments
Watch the video presentation of the Unicore Project
Call from past years
Selection Call UNI-CO-RE 4.0: University Corridors for Refugees (Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria – Unipi 2022-2024)
Selection Call UNI-CO-RE 2.0: University Corridors for Refugees (Ethiopia-Unipi 2020-2022)
