Project UNICORE University corridors for refugees – Edition 6.0

The University of Pisa joined in the University Corridors Project for Refugee Students, together with other Italian universities.

The project is promoted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and counts on the direct involvement of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, the Waldensian Deaconship, Centro Astalli, Ghandi Charity along with the participation of other local institutions and authorities.

The Project’s aim is to consolidate and strengthen a legal and safe entry channel to facilitate the access of refugees to higher education in Italy. It will also promote their social integration and active participation in the academic life, in harmony with the Global Compact on Refugees and with the Manifesto for the Inclusive University, developed by UNHCR and endorsed by the University of Pisa.

The University of Pisa published the call UNI-CO-RE 6.0 (University Cooridors for Refugees a.y.2024-2026), to select one refugee student from Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe holding a higher education qualification suitable for the admission to master’s degrees held in English. The student will be selected on merit criteria and will be provided with financial support during the application procedure for VISA, arrival in Italy, and throughout the standard duration of the study programme.

Benefits

Beneficiary of the UNICORE 6.0 project will benefit from full support in:

• pre-enrolling at the Italian Embassy and carrying out immigration procedures;
• applying for admission to one of the Second Cycle degree programmes held in English at the University of Pisa, listed in Annex 2;
• integrating into the local students’ life and community.

Beneficiary of the UNICORE 6.0 project at the University of Pisa will also receive specific financial benefits and support, consisting of:

• Full coverage of the expenses incurred in before the arrival in Italy (e.g. visa application and preparation of supporting document covered by Caritas Italiana and the flight tickets covered by the University of Pisa);
• A grant of € 18.000 (per two years and paid into monthly instalments) covered by the University of Pisa in compliance with the merit requirements listed in art. 6
• Tuition fee exemption;
• Support in applying for Diritto allo studio Universitario (DSU Toscana) benefits;
• Support in the research of a shared room from arrival to at least December 2024;
• Free Italian language course for the duration of the project and possibility to attend other languages courses for free in collaboration with Centro Linguistico di Ateneo (CLI);
• Cost for the annual registration in the National Health System covered by the University of Pisa;
• A sum of € 100 euros upon arrival in Italy to cover basic necessities, payment of the regional fee and the related stamp duty for the first and second year of the Master’s degree, purchase of a SIM card and cost for Residency permit covered by the Waldensian Deaconship;
• Mentoring services in administrative, logistical and educational issues throughout the study programme, provided by the International Office and the teaching staff in charge of the project;
• A Buddy service to facilitate the integration in the local students’ life and community;
• Additional support from local partners signing the cooperation agreement.

Requirements

Application is open exclusively to candidates who:

• are residing in Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe and have been recognized the refugee status/International Protection in these countries in collaboration with UNHCR;
• hold a qualification valid for admission to the selected Second Cycle degree programme, issued by a higher education institution duly accredited in the higher education systems of Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe. The qualification must be obtained between the year 2019 and the 28 February 2024 with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 according to the tertiary education grading system of the country of graduation or equivalent according to the comparable table issued by the Italian Ministry of Education;
• are interested in one of the Master’s degree programmes held in English at the University of Pisa and meet the specific admission requirements;
• Have never before been enrolled in a degree program at any of the Partner Universities.

Proficiency in the English language is required.

Deadlines and procedures

Students are due to send applications, including all the documents listed, through the UNICORE website, at https://universitycorridors.unhcr.it/.

• Publication of the call: 1 March, 2024
• Deadline for applications: 15 April 2024 at 12:00 am. (Italy official time)
• Publication of the final results: 18 June 2024.

Call and Annexes

• Call for application
• Annex 1 – CV form – RTF version
• Annex 2 – List of the Master’s degree programmes

Results

• Final Ranking
• Final acceptance of the grant