Are you an African student who has been a refugee, asylum seeker or internally displaced person, and dreaming of a fully funded master’s degree? The Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH) runs Graduate Horizons, a free six-month mentorship programme that helps displaced students prepare strong applications for fully funded master’s scholarships at leading universities. The 2026–2027 round runs from November 2026 to April 2027, and the reported application deadline is 25 October 2026.
Programme at a Glance
- Organiser: Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH)
- What it is: Free online mentorship and application support (not a scholarship itself)
- Goal: Help participants win fully funded master’s scholarships for 2027 entry
- Duration: Six months, November 2026 to April 2027
- Format: Online
- For: African students with a refugee or displacement background
- Cost: Free
- Reported deadline: 25 October 2026, 5pm UK time (see note under How to Apply)
What Is the Refugee-Led Research Hub?
The Refugee-Led Research Hub is a refugee-led initiative linked to the University of Oxford’s Refugee Studies Centre. It works to increase the number of refugee and displaced people in higher education and research. Graduate Horizons is one of its flagship programmes and has supported many displaced students in applying to graduate study.
Benefits
- Free mentorship for six months
- Group workshops on choosing programmes and building strong applications
- Application clinics and writing bootcamps to sharpen personal statements and essays
- One-to-one support from an RLRH mentor or staff member
- Guidance towards fully funded scholarships that typically cover tuition, visas, travel and living costs
Scholarships the Programme Targets
Graduate Horizons helps participants apply to funded master’s programmes, including Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partner universities such as:
- UK and Europe: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Sciences Po
- North America: University of California, Berkeley
- Africa and West Asia:
- Carnegie Mellon University Africa
- University of Global Health Equity
- Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
- American University in Cairo
- American University of Beirut
Eligibility
- Displacement background: You are a current or former refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person or stateless person, or have been affected by intergenerational displacement.
- Nationality: You are an African learner.
- Education: You hold a bachelor’s degree, or are in your final year, with at least a 2:1, 75% or 3.0/4.0 GPA (or equivalent).
- Language: You can study and write to a professional standard in English and/or French.
- Timing: You plan to apply for master’s programmes starting in 2027.
Women, LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and applicants living in camps or rural areas are especially encouraged to apply.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Be clear about your goals. Say which field you want to study and how a master’s degree will help you serve your community.
- Show commitment. The programme runs for six months, so make it clear you can attend workshops and meet deadlines.
- Gather your documents early. Transcripts and proof of your degree will be needed for the scholarship applications that follow.
- Share your story. Your experience of displacement and what you’ve achieved despite it is a strength in scholarship applications.
How to Apply
- Visit the Refugee-Led Research Hub’s Graduate Horizons page.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit before the deadline.
Confirm the deadline: Published listings give 25 October 2026, 5pm UK time for this round. We couldn’t confirm it on the RLRH website, which was temporarily unavailable when we checked. Please check the official page, and apply as early as possible.
Visit the official Graduate Horizons page
