Transition course to university studies (last two years undergraduate or master)

Introduction

In September 2015, the University of Barcelona (UB) launched its Support programme for refugees and people from conflict areas, which is managed by the UB Solidarity Foundation (UBSF).

This Programme incorporates, among other actions, the exemption from the payment of tuition fees for degrees and (official and non inter-university) master’s degrees at the University of Barcelona; Spanish language studies for foreigners; accommodation, as well as access to psychological, legal and medical care services.

However, the most innovative initiative in the framework of the Programme has been the organization of three editions of a Transition course to university studies which, from the conception of providing a comprehensive aid for studies and accommodation, has as its aims to promote the incorporation into undergraduate (last two years of the degree) or master’s degree, from the University of Barcelona, ​​of refugee students or those who are in situations assimilated to that of the refuge, in the terms defined by the High Commissioner for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

This initiative is aimed at non-EU students who are threatened and/or displaced in their countries of origin or refugees in countries of first reception or transit, and is part of what UNHCR defines as complementary and safe pathways for refugees to third countries. Applicants must not have any previous knowledge of Spanish or Catalan, as one of the specific purposes of the course for which the grant is awarded is for them to learn these two languages.

In all three previous editions, as in this one, this is an initiative co-financed by the University of Barcelona, ​​the UB Solidarity Foundation and the Directorate of Global Justice and Cooperation Services of the Barcelona City Council.

General purpose of the grants

• To promote access to higher education for university students who are refugees or who hold a similar status as defined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), whose educational and life-time ambitions have been interrupted by armed conflicts or other situations that breach human rights, whether for expressing political opinions or religious beliefs, because of their sexual orientation, gender, for belonging to ethnic or social minorities, or for any other reason.
• To provide alternative avenues that are safe for refugees, in line with the recommendations and in the spirit of those made by UNHCR.
• To bolster job competencies and the future employability of the students, whether in host countries or their countries of origin, whenever they are able and wish to return to them.