The call for applications for the 5th cohort of the UNIV’R Programme (Sciences Po Paris) is now Open. The programme offers fully funded scholarships for refugees to pursue a two-year master’s degree (in English or French) at Sciences Po Paris, beginning August/September 2026. 

United Nations UNIV’R Scholarship to Sciences Po University Benefits

This program aims to facilitate access to higher education in France and offers comprehensive support:

• Administrative, social, and financial support

• Visa fee waiver

• Scholarship covering travel and social security expenses

Participants in the UNIV'R program come to France on a student visa. Upon completion of their studies, they can apply for a one-year residence permit to look for work, but there is no guarantee of a permanent stay.

Requirements for United Nations UNIV’R Scholarship to Sciences Po University

The eligibility criteria for this cohort remain unchanged from last year. Applicants must:

Be refugees individually recognized by UNHCR or by a State authority;

Be currently residing in a first country of asylum outside the European Union (resettled refugees are not eligible);

Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study;

Have a minimum B2 level in English and/or French;

Be no older than 35 years

In addition, Sciences Po Paris has specific academic requirements. Candidates must provide:

Academic transcripts;

Academic recommendation letters;

Evidence of a good GPA.

Selection Process

January 22, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Paris time): Deadline to request a waiver of application fees from Sciences Po.

Until January 27, 2026: Sciences Po processes waiver requests and sends a response by email to applicants.

February 1, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Paris time): Deadline to finalize the submission of the complete application file on the Sciences Po platform.

• Admission results communicated by Sciences Po according to the date on which the file is considered complete: response no later than April 23, 2026.

•    February 1, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Paris time): Deadline for submitting the UNIV'R application form.

•    April 23-30, 2026: UNIV'R grant allocation process for students admitted to Sciences Po.

•    Early May 2026: UNIV'R grant decisions communicated by UNHCR.

Application Deadline

February 1, 2026

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on enketo.unhcr.org to apply

Steps to take to submit an application to Sciences Po

1. Familiarize yourself with the Master 's program offered at Sciences Po, as well as the selection criteria and minimum results required.

2.    Before January 22, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Paris time): Refugee applicants eligible for a waiver of the application fee (€150) should complete this form.

• Indicate the application number opened on the Sciences Po admissions platform.

• Attach proof of refugee status (certificate or card explicitly stating the status and the date of validity, translated into French or English).

3.    Before February 1, 2026 (23:59 Paris time): gather the required documents, finalize the online application file on the Sciences Po admissions platform, imperatively attaching the proof of refugee status again, and submit it once completed.

Warning: incomplete applications will not be evaluated.

For any questions regarding the UNIV'R program at Sciences Po, you can contact [email protected].