Complementary Education Pathways include opportunities for refugees to continue their higher education in a third country. Depending on the program, students enter the third country on a temporary student visa but may have opportunities to apply for different types of visas at the end of their studies or access asylum systems in third countries.
Education opportunities and scholarships are limited and highly competitive. They often have strict requirements for acceptance based on an applicant’s educational background and linguistic skills. Not only do education pathways have competitive requirements, but they are often reserved for candidates within certain age ranges. In most countries, student visas are only provided for the students themselves, and dependent family members (including spouses and minor children) cannot be included. It is important that you thoroughly examine the requirements of each scholarship before deciding to apply.
Each scholarship has different requirements and application processes. Often, applications are open only during specific periods of the year, and deadlines are relatively short. It is important to pay close attention to the requirements and check the deadlines of each program.
Accredited higher education and scholarship opportunities that have been verified by UNHCR are listed on UNHCR’s Scholarship Opportunities for Refugees platform. The criteria, areas of study, application process, and other relevant details of these programs are different for every school.
Types of education pathways
- Bachelor degree program
- Master or PhD degree program
- Technical degrees
- Associate degrees
Minimum education qualification
Depends on the program. Normally, most programs require a high school diploma at least.
Language
Similarly, it depends on the program. For most programs, a certain level of command of the English language is required. Some programs provide language training courses prior to the academic program.
Examples of Available Programs (some specific for Afghan nationals)
SOUTH KOREA
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
For basic eligibility criteria and application, please check: Study in Korea|run by Korean Government
Only open to candidates already in possession of a Bachelor’s Degree
Deadline for Application: Please check South Korean Embassy in Iran website at https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ir-en/brd/m_11371/view.do?seq=759769
Scholarship Benefits: Coverage includes airfare, tuition, and living expenses.
COSTA RICA
Earth University Bachelor’s in Agricultural Sciences (Engineer in Agronomy)
https://admissions.earth.ac.cr/Application#Applicationrequirements
FRANCE
UNIV´R Program (University for Refugees program)
UNIV’R Application (unhcr.org)
List of Master’s Programs In France https://www.unhcr.org/fr/63fe1a164#_ga=2.65086445.290523719.1678007972-1347012778.1665086108
PAUSE
https://www.programmepause.fr/en/comment-accueillir-une-scientifique-ou-artiste-en-exil
GERMANY
Hilde Domin Programme
https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/hilde-domin-programm/?fbclid=IwAR3fzdqetzD8FnS-q7lzEdqCxdOfKi8erJa_0qgTXwZBM7VJtE5SOJb1hdY
ITALY
University of Bologna Business and Economics (CLABE) and Management and Economics (CLAME) First Cycle Degree programme [Specifically dedicated to female Afghan students residing in Afghanistan or a third country]
https://www.unibo.it/en/study/study-grants-and-subsidies/admission-to-business-and-economics-clabe-and-management-and-economics-clame-first-cycle-degree-programme-reserved-positions-for-displaced-students-and-refugees-a-y-2024-25
MEXICO
Habesha Project Scholarship | UNHCR Opportunities
SPAIN
University of Barcelona Transition course to university studies (last two years undergraduate or master)
https://www.uni-med.net/partner-news/university-of-barcelona-call-for-scholarships-transition-course-to-the-university-2024-2025-supporting-refugees-and-people-from-conflict-zones-deadline-june-12th-2024/
UNITED KINGDOM
Chevening Post-Graduate Scholarship in various disciplines
https://www.chevening.org/scholarship/afghanistan
Refugee and Displaced Persons Scholarships (28 scholarships in various disciplines)
https://www.london.ac.uk/applications/funding-your-study/scholarships-and-bursaries/refugee-and-displaced-persons
GLOBAL
ARTISTIC FREEDOM INITIATIVE’s Afghan Artists Protection Project
https://artisticfreedominitiative.org/application-for-assistance/
IIE-SCHOLAR FOR RESCUE FUND’s IIE-SRF Fellowship
https://www.scholarrescuefund.org/for-scholars
UNHCR – Duolingo
https://dy8n3onijof8f.cloudfront.net/media/resources/DETxUNHCR+06-23.pdf
Scholars At-Risks Network’s Scholarship
https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/applicant-guide/#eligibility0
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India’ Special Scholarship Scheme for Afghan Nationals (SSSAN)
Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan)
https://courses.darakhtdanesh.org