UNICORE - University Corridors for Refugees
University of Catania joins the University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE) project promoted by UNHCR, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas, Diaconia Valdese and Centro Astalli.
Unicore 8.0
The UNICORE project aims at granting refugee students in African territories the opportunity to continue their academic careers at Italian universities. This year the project enters its 7th edition – therefore called UNICORE 8.0 – offering young refugees, often unable to continue their studies in the country where they have found protection, the chance to obtain visas for study purposes in third countries.
The project, for the academic year 2026/27, addresses to refugees who are currently in (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, possessing a Bachelor degree obtained with a GPA of at least 3.0 grade, equivalent to no less than 24/30 in the Italian evaluation system.
Candidates may apply for UNICT master's degree courses in English.
Local partners
The project stands out for its inclusive dimension, thanks above all to a wide network of territorial partners who support students in entering academic life and integrating into the local social setting: Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana (ARCI); Azienda Metropolitana Trasporti e Sosta Catania S.p.A (AMTS); Caritas Diocesana Catania; Centro Astalli Catania; Community Center – Diaconia Valdese; Comunità di Sant’Egidio; Consiglio Italiano per i rifugiati (CIR); Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti (COPE); Ente Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario (ERSU) Catania; Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) Associazione Oltremani Catania APS; Save the Children Italia Onlus; Civico Zero; Isola Catania impresa sociale s.r.l. participate in the project.
Applications can be sent from 2 March 2026 to 17 April 2026 through the UNICORE website.
Ranking
What we do
The benefits enjoyed by students arriving in Italy with refugee or international protection status are many and range from the UNICT scholarships, worth € 5.000 net for two years, to:
- accommodation
- meals
- advice, guidance and mentorship
- season ticket for local transport
- provision of training material
- legal assistance
- listening spaces
For info: unicore@unict.it
Presenting fraudulent school certificates or university degrees it's a crime. All submitted documents will be carefully checked by experts. Submitting fraudulent documents will have serious consequences, including exclusion from this and other opportunities. UNHCR may report the fact to the police authorities.
