UAB Refugee Scholarship in Collaboration With Jusoor

حول المنحة
The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is a public university located in the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. UAB ranks second in Spain and is among the 100 best European universities. It is known for its high quality research and teaching. They offer over 36 graduate programs taught entirely in English.
The Fundació Autònoma Solidaria (FAS) is an NGO affiliated with the university that aims to promote social change. One of their programs is to engage refugee and asylum seeking youth in education. Jusoor has established a partnership with FAS and UAB to support up to two Syrian students to study at UAB.
Jusoor is proud to be partners with UAB and FAS since 2021 to support Syrian scholars. The UAB Refugee Scholarship in collaboration with Jusoor will support up to two master’s level awards for Syrian students who wish to pursue their studies at UAB. The scholarship will be to study a one-year master’s degree for the 2026-2027 academic year. For more details on what the scholarship covers, please refer to the scholarship’s website here.
The UAB Refugee Scholarship in collaboration with Jusoor will be open for both men and women, applicants should demonstrate financial need and be an applicant or have refugee status in Spain.
The scholarship covers only public, official programs. You can review the list of available Master’s degrees here, and please ensure that the selected program is labeled as a ‘UAB University Master’s Degree’ to be eligible for funding.
معايير الأهلية
Candidates must:
- meet the academic requirements of UAB; it is their responsibility to determine whether they do by visiting the respective program pages.
- be Syrian or Palestinian-Syrian who have started their asylum application or already been granted a refugee status in Spain
- have a strong academic record and meet the admissions requirements of the partner university (including language requirements)
- have a strong record of leadership and community engagement, as demonstrated through volunteer and/or work experience; demonstrate social consciousness
- demonstrate willingness and intent to contribute to the redevelopment of Syria and impact the global Syrian community
- have clear and realistic short and long-term career goals
- demonstrate knowledge and interest in their selected program of study
- demonstrate financial need
- have a motivated, self starter attitude and strength of character
- demonstrate at least B2 English Language Proficiency according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages
- Provide an IELTS/ TOEFL exam certificate if they have one
- be willing to engage with the Jusoor and FAS communities
If selected for the scholarship, the successful candidates will be required to sign the Jusoor Scholar contract. The main points of the contract are outlined below, and selected scholars can request to read the contract in full before accepting the award. The awardee agrees:
- To give Jusoor permission to use their name, photographs and biographies on Jusoor’s website, social media and in publications.
- To make efforts to attend online and in-person events when requested by Jusoor.
- To submit a form provided by Jusoor each term to provide academic updates.
- To agree that to the best of their ability, they will use the knowledge and skills gained through this scholarship to support the development of Syria.
- To maintain good academic standing.
- Not to serve as an official representative of any government and not to engage in activities of public nature that are likely to affect Jusoor negatively, while receiving funding from Jusoor.
معايير الاختيار
تغطية الصناديق
The scholarship is fully funded by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in collaboration with the Autonomous Solidarity Foundation (FAS) and is designed to cover registration and tuition fees. Students may also have the opportunity to receive additional financial support for study-related expenses, including academic materials, public transportation, technology, and other essential needs. Further details are available here.
كيفية التقديم
Jusoor is pleased to offer an orientation session and application support for students who are planning to apply for this scholarship, with the aim of strengthening the quality of their submissions. While Jusoor is not directly involved in the selection process, we are happy to provide a dedicated session to guide students in preparing their CVs, drafting motivation letters, and completing the application form to enhance their overall readiness and competitiveness.
Registration for the Application Guidance Session will open soon
Candidates must apply through this online application.
أسئلة متكررة
How many awards will be given?
For this selection cycle, up to two one-year master’s degrees will be funded.
Is there an age limit to be eligible?
No. Although our mission focuses on empowering Syrian youth, we welcome applicants of all ages.
I’m married and/or have children. Am I eligible?
Yes, but Jusoor, FAS and UAB do not sponsor family members.
If awarded the scholarship, can the funding support my husband and/or children?
Unfortunately not. The scholarship is intended to support only the scholar. Due to limited resources, Jusoor, UAB and FAS cannot provide any financial or relocation assistance for your family, including help with visa arrangements.
What do you look for in the ideal applicant?
We look for a balance of the following:
1) strong GPA and record of academic achievement
2) volunteer and/or work experience relevant to your field of study
3) proven leadership ability as demonstrated through volunteer and/or work experience
4) willingness and demonstrated intent to contribute to the redevelopment of Syria,
5) willingness to participate in Jusoor’s and FAS’s community.
6) a clear and realistic plan for personal and career success post-graduation.
7) A motivated, self-starter attitude
8) Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate financial need.
How do I choose the right university and program of study for me?
Jusoor encourages you to think critically about your academic and personal interests, professional goals, and passions when selecting a university and country of study. You can read more about how to select the right scholarship here.
Do I need to apply for admission to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona before submitting my application?
No. The only application you need to complete is the scholarship application. However, you must ensure that you meet the admission requirements for your chosen Master’s program.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Syria. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, absolutely.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Syria and am having trouble obtaining my undergraduate degree documents as proof of attendance and/or graduation. Can Jusoor help?
Unfortunately not. Through experience in this matter, we have learned Jusoor cannot be of assistance. This issue must be resolved with your university and the Ministry of Education where applicable.
Do I need to pay a fee to apply to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona?
No.
Can Jusoor offer to fund any English exam or graduate school testing I might require?
No, Jusoor will not provide financial support for any additional costs, including exams or testing fees.
I’m already enrolled in a master's degree and am applying as a transfer student. Am I eligible for the scholarship?
Yes, applications from transfer students are welcome, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.
I already hold one master’s degree and am applying for this degree to be my second master’s degree. Am I eligible for the scholarship?
No, all applicants applying to pursue a master’s degree must be applying to complete their first master’s degree program.
What documents do I need to apply for?
We encourage all applicants to prepare these documents as early as possible. Both black-and-white and color copies are accepted. Below is a list of required documents; we also recommend preparing the additional documents mentioned here.
Required Documents:
- Copy of your passport or NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero / Foreigner Identification Number)
- Documentation proving that you are a person seeking asylum or have been denied as an applicant for International Protection
- Copy of official degree certificate of completed studies, preferably legalized
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter explaining which program you would like to study and why you chose UAB
- A signed responsible declaration (this will be provided to you if you are preselected)
What requirements does my CV need to meet?
Your CV may be in any format you like but we ask you to keep it concise. There is no maximum page length. You can sign up via the link here to attend the guidance session.
What requirements does my academic letter of recommendation need to meet?
This letter should be written by a current or former university professor, academic advisor, or another faculty member familiar with your academic work. The letter is preferably on official university letterhead, written in English, dated, and signed, with the recommender’s email address included. There is no length limit. You can sign up via the link here to attend the guidance session.
What requirements does my professional reference need to meet?
This reference should be written by a current or previous professional supervisor/manager of yours while you were employed in a paid or volunteer position. The letter is preferably written in English, dated and signed with the reference’s e-mail address included. There is no length limit. You can sign up via the link here to attend the guidance session.
What advice can you give for responding to the application essay questions if applicable?
We encourage you to fully address the question while being clear, concise, and providing relevant examples. The questions are subjective with no “right” or “wrong” answer. In fairness to other applicants, we cannot offer specific advice on the essay questions. You can sign up via the link here to attend the guidance session.
What is the interview process like?
If selected as a finalist, you will be virtually interviewed by a panel of UAB and FAS team members to assess your suitability for the scholarship. They may ask you to elaborate on the information provided in your application, and may also ask you to respond to a series of questions based on real-life scenarios which scholars face during their academic programs. For more details on the selection process, please refer to this link. You can sign up via the link here to attend the guidance session.
When will I be notified of my application status?
All applicants will be notified via e-mail of their status after each stage of the selection process.