Graduate Horizons 2026–2027: Free Graduate Application Mentorship for Displaced Students Worldwide
Overview
Graduate Horizons is an online mentorship and graduate application support programme organized by the Refugee-Led Research Hub. It is designed for prospective students affected by displacement to help them prepare competitive applications for postgraduate study and fully funded scholarship opportunities for the 2027 academic intake. Running from November 2026 to April 2027, the initiative delivers structured guidance, group workshops, application clinics, writing bootcamps, and one-to-one mentoring entirely online. The programme particularly emphasizes applications to institutions participating in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program as well as other universities worldwide, though participation does not guarantee admission or funding.
Who can apply
The programme is intended for prospective graduate students who have experienced displacement, including current or former refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless individuals, and those affected by intergenerational dislocation. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or be in their final year of undergraduate study, with academic results equivalent to a UK 2:1 classification, 75 percent, or a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must also have the ability to study and write in English or French to a professional standard and plan to submit graduate or scholarship applications within six months for 2027 enrolment. Under-represented groups in higher education, such as women, LGBTQ+ and gender-nonconforming candidates, persons with disabilities, and individuals living in displacement camps or rural communities, are specifically encouraged to apply.
What you get
Participants receive free, structured support throughout the graduate application process over the course of six months. Selected individuals are paired with a Refugee-Led Research Hub mentor or staff member to provide personalized guidance. The initiative offers group workshops, application clinics, and writing bootcamps to help candidates improve personal statements, application essays, and other written materials, while addressing specific challenges related to international higher education admissions.
How to apply
Interested candidates must complete and submit the official Graduate Horizons application form before the deadline. Applicants should clearly explain their postgraduate study objectives, identify the programmes or scholarships they intend to pursue, demonstrate how the programme would support their academic plans, and provide accurate information regarding their qualifications and displacement background. Candidates requiring clarification can contact the Refugee-Led Research Hub via email.
Key dates
Applications close on Sunday, 25 October 2026, at midnight BST. Online information sessions for prospective applicants are scheduled for Thursday, 8 October 2026, at 10:00 AM BST, Thursday, 15 October 2026, at 1:00 PM BST, and Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 3:00 PM BST. The six-month mentorship programme runs from November 2026 to April 2027.