UNICORE 8.0 Scholarship 2026 at University of Padua for Refugee Students in Italy
Applications for UNICORE 8.0 scholarship 2026, the eighth edition of Italy’s University Corridors for Refugees programme, are now open with a deadline of 17 April 2026. The University of Padua, one of the oldest and most internationally recognised universities in Europe, participates as a partner institution, offering two fully funded master’s scholarships to eligible refugee students. For the candidates this programme targets, it is one of the few structured legal pathways into European higher education that exists anywhere in the world.
UNICORE and Padua’s Institutional Standing
The Padua’s UNICORE 8.0 project has been active since 2019 and has enabled over 300 refugee students to access university education in Italy through safe and legal channels. The University of Padua, founded in 1222, consistently ranks among Italy’s top three universities and is placed in the top 250 globally across major international rankings.
The university signed the Manifesto for Inclusive University in November 2019, committing formally to supporting refugees across admissions, scholarship funding, and qualification recognition. That institutional commitment predates UNICORE’s wider expansion and reflects a deliberate academic policy rather than a one-time humanitarian gesture.
UNICORE 8.0 Padua: What the Scholarship Covers
The University of Padua’s UNICORE 8.0 scholarship covers full tuition fee waiver plus a gross scholarship of 3,600 euros, accommodation, meals at university canteens, and a range of free services provided by local partners. Students also receive financial support for plane tickets and visa-related expenses upon selection.
For a refugee student entering Italy from sub-Saharan Africa, this UNICORE 8.0 package removes the primary financial barriers to postgraduate study in one of southern Europe’s most reputable academic cities. Padua’s cost of living, while not negligible, is considerably lower than Milan or Rome, making the support package functionally more substantial than its headline figure suggests.
Who UNICORE 8.0 Is Designed For
Padua’s UNICORE 8.0 program targets refugees formally recognised in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree obtained between 1 January 2021 and 2 May 2026, achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 or its equivalent under the Italian grading system, and meet the specific admission requirements of their chosen master’s programme at Padua.
Applicants for the UNICORE 8.0 must also have never previously enrolled in a degree programme at any UNICORE partner university, and must demonstrate English proficiency at B2 level or above. The programme targets master’s level study exclusively; undergraduate applicants are not eligible under this call.
Applying Before the UNICORE 8.0 Deadline
Applications for the University of Padua UNICORE 8.0 Scholarship 2026 must be submitted through the official UNICORE platform, where candidates are first required to create an account and initiate their application profile.
As part of the process, applicants may select up to two participating universities; it is advisable to prioritise University of Padua as the primary choice, while for the second option, institutions such as University of Turin offer a closely aligned package, though candidates remain free to choose any participating university.
Applicants for the UNICORE 8.0 must upload a complete set of documents, including proof of refugee status (UNHCR certificate or refugee ID), academic transcripts and degree certificates, a curriculum vitae, a motivation letter, and proof of English proficiency before final submission.
During the interview stage, candidates may also be required to present a refugee identity card or provide their UNHCR registration details for verification. The entire application and selection process is free of charge; any request for payment in connection with UNICORE should be reported to UNHCR immediately. The 17 April deadline at 12:00 PM (UTC+2) is strictly enforced.
At a time when access to tertiary education for refugees globally stands at only 9%, against a global average of 43%, a structured corridor into a university of Padua’s standing represents something beyond funding. It represents a documented, credential-backed reentry into professional life through one of the few institutional mechanisms operating at this scale in Europe.