Complementary pathways are safe and regulated avenues by which refugees may be admitted to a country and meet their international protection needs, at the same time, support themselves to reach a sustainable and lasting solution, including through work and education.
Are you looking for a scholarship in Universities around the globe?
University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE)
UNICORE 4.0 is promoted by 32 Italian universities with the support of UNHCR, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, Diaconia Valdese, Centro Astalli and other partners. It aims to increase opportunities for refugees, including those residing in South Africa, to continue their higher education in Italy.
Selected students will be exempt from tuition fees at the universities participating in the programme. They will receive financial support for plane tickets, visa-related expenses, and a study grant to help them during their stay in Italy.
The selection process for admission will be carried out by and is the sole responsibility of the individual universities, not UNHCR.
➡️ Visit the UNICORE dedicated page to learn more about the selection criteria.
University Access Counselling Programme with Duolingo
Duolingo is an education company whose language-learning app is used by over 500 million people worldwide. Thousands of students take its English assessment exam annually as they apply to education programmes worldwide.
The University Access Counselling Program is a partnership between UNHCR and Duolingo. Under this program, Duolingo employs a full-time university access advisor who, in 2022, selected 25 refugee students from four countries of asylum, including South Africa, to work with them on applying to universities for admission in the 2023 academic year. The advisor will assist selected students in securing offers of admission with full financial aid. They will also receive settling-in stipends and will have their costs for visas and airfare covered by Duolingo. UNHCR does not play a part in the selection process for this programme, which Duolingo carries out.
NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECOGNISED REFUGEES:
Université pour les Réfugiés (UNIV’R)
The UNIV’R programme provides refugees (in the country where they are recognized as refugees) who wish to pursue a Master’s degree within a higher education institute in France the opportunity to do so. Under the programme, selected refugees will benefit from administrative, social and financial support (including tuition waivers, travel to France and monthly subsistence stipends) for the entire degree duration.
The selection process for admissions will be carried out by and is the sole responsibility of the participating universities, not UNHCR.
To apply to the programme’s second edition (2023), please visit the UNIV’R’s page on UNHCR Opportunities website. For 2023, the application period was closed on 2 April.
➡️ Visit the UNHCR Opportunities website regularly to see available scholarships for Refugees.
Are you looking for Job opportunities outside of South Africa?
TalentLift
TalentLift is a non-profit international recruitment agency that assists Canadian employers in hiring displaced talent. Individuals living outside Canada, including refugees or those in refugee-like situations, can register on the TalentLift talent platform to join a pool of candidates seeking international employment and skilled visas to Canada.
By creating a profile, candidates can showcase their skills and interests, upload or build a CV, express interest in job opportunities, access upskilling programs, and chat with the TalentLift team. Registration is free, and TalentLift does not charge any fees for their services.
To learn more and join the platform, visit platform.talentlift.ca. Additional information about TalentLift support can be found on their Candidate FAQ website.
Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB)
TBB connects refugees with international employment opportunities to obtain a working permit linked with permanent resident status for the worker/employee and their family members in countries where they can access full rights and stability.
➡️ Visit the TBB’s website and select For Job Seekers to learn more about it.
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
The EMPP combines refugee resettlement and economic immigration. The Government of Canada created it to help skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programmes and give employers in Canada access to a new pool of qualified candidates to fill job openings.
For more information on eligibility for the EMPP, please visit Canada’s Official EMPP website. In addition to meeting the general requirements for the EMPP, you must also be eligible for one of the following economic immigration programmes: