Frequently Asked Questions

There are different types of programmes available depending on the country where you are currently living: 

• Programmes and scholarships to study in your country of asylum: Academic programmes and partners that provide scholarships and academic opportunities for refugee students to access higher education in countries of asylum. These are sometimes called in-country scholarship.
   
• Programmes and scholarships to study in another country: Programmes provided by universities, governments and other partners to allow refugee students to study abroad in a country other than their country of asylum. These are also called third country scholarships.

There are several higher education scholarships for refugees in their country of asylum. These do not require international travel, may cost less than third country programmes and often will allow you to remain closer to your family or other people who may be with you in your current host country. You can look in the Opportunities website for  available in-country scholarship opportunities by selecting the name of the country you are currently residing in the search filters.

Since 1992, UNHCR’s Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) supports refugee students around the world through holistic scholarships facilitating undergraduate studies in the country of asylum (in country scholarship). Find an overview of the DAFI programme here and explore additional FAQs here.

A third country scholarship will require you to travel to a third country – other than your country of origin or your current country of asylum – to complete your chosen study programme. Most third country scholarship programmes offer a specific number of places, involve a competitive selection process, may require you to be separated from your family for a prolonged period of time, or to learn another language. Some third country scholarships offer the chance to remain in the third country to work or live after you have completed your studies. Before you decide on whether to apply for a third country scholarship, make sure you carefully read all the details including the benefits, the travel document and visa arrangements, and the migration options available to you after graduation.

It varies depending on the programme so it is advised to verify the coverage period. Ideally, the scholarship should be available for the entirety of the programme to provide the best chance at successful completion. In most circumstances, a short period of study or an uncompleted programme may not enable you to gain the level of qualification you would need in order to increase your academic and professional opportunities. 

Be sure that the qualification you will gain meets your expectations in terms of contributing to your educational and employment goals and that the scholarship gives you a reasonable amount of time to complete your qualification. Scholarship programmes listed on this site allow you to obtain a widely recognized qualification from an accredited institution.

Programmes and scholarships for refugees should take into account the needs and experiences of refugees in their design. Some common examples of support are full or partial waiver of tuition fees, orientation and integration support, preparatory courses to ensure previous education experience in the country of origin or country of asylum aligns with the programme of study, access to language learning resources, and psycho-social support. In some cases, students may need additional or tailored support to benefit in a meaningful way from their scholarship. For third country scholarships, students may receive visa support, funding to cover travel, and integration support. Make sure the opportunity you are considering can meet your individual needs and that you will have access to the support you require.

Some institutions will inform you of visa requirements needed to enter and reside in the country of study. You will likely need to have a valid passport or travel document (like a Convention Travel Document for refugees) in order to travel. If you do not have a passport or travel document, please consult with the academic provider or UNHCR with respect to travel arrangements, including documentation. Often it is your responsibility to apply for and/or renew your visa or permit in order to maintain your lawful residency status in the country. 

Make sure you know the period of validity of your visa and be aware of any restrictions that may be in place – for example, the right to work – once you are in the country of study.

To apply, you would normally be asked to provide an academic transcript or proof of your previous academic studies, proof of meeting the language requirements and other documents listed in the eligibility criteria of the scholarship opportunity.

Please make sure to know the precise eligibility criteria for each opportunity before applying.
 

Check what are the conditions established by your country of current residence to return after your studies and do as much background research as possible on the country of study before making a final decision. 

Most countries in the Middle East region and Türkiye will not allow you to return to your current country of asylum once you have departed, even if you left with the intention to study abroad for several years. With that in mind, your family, community, friends and UNHCR counselors can help you decide whether you are financially and emotionally prepared to live in another country, perhaps far away from your family and support network, for the length of time needed to complete your studies and beyond.

Consider any special requirements you may have and do not hesitate to raise concerns or questions with UNHCR counselors.

Some countries or scholarship programmes allow refugee students to bring their close family members with them to the country of study. Be sure to explore what visa status your family members may apply for, whether they can work and access social benefits, how the cost of living and accommodation and related issues will be covered.

When undertaking a third country scholarship it is important to be realistic about the impact your absence could have on your family. Prolonged separation can be difficult for you as well as for those who remain in the host country or elsewhere. Be sure to clarify expectations about whether they expect you to send money. How often you plan to communicate and by what means? Will they expect you to return to visit?

It is important for you to understand what options you may have following the completion of your study to ensure that you do not find yourself in a situation where your residency status expires in the country of study, or you face difficulty traveling abroad if your passport/travel document expires or cannot be renewed or if you become unable to support yourself. Some countries allow graduating foreign students to obtain a work visa following their study permitting longer term residency. If this option is available to you, it would allow you to work legally. Job placements, internships or other opportunities may also be available once you have finished your studies. Be sure to clarify the specific "right to work" rules that are applicable in the country in which you wish to study. Be sure you understand the asylum procedures in the country of study in case you are unable to return to your home country following your course of study and need to seek further international protection. 

Consult the respective Help page of the country you wish to study in to learn more about opportunities available to you after graduation.

If you are a refugee, an asylum-seeker or a stateless person looking for country specific information about helpful services, rights and duties and ways to get in touch with UNHCR, please visit our Help platform at help.unhcr.org.

UNHCR reviews the information shared by the education provider, confirms the programmes are designed for refugees and other people forced to flee their homes from conflict and persecution and meet the following basic requirements:

• Offered by accredited institutions.
• Non-discrimination and equitable access: eligibility is fair and impartial.
• Include protection from refoulement through asylum or a different type of legal stay.
• Allow the possibility to apply for asylum.
• Ensure programme integrity and are free of exploitation, abuse or fraud
• Adhere to data protection principles.

For more details please see the Education Providers section.