Call for Applications, 2026-27 – Uganda

World University Service of Canada (WUSC), in partnership with Windle International Uganda, would like to invite suitably qualified refugee youth to apply for the 2026-2027 cohort of the SRP.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be currently living as a refugee in Uganda and have continuously resided in Uganda for 3 years at the time of application (must have arrived before January 1, 2022);
  • Be between 18-25 years old as of January 1, 2025 (applicants must be born no earlier than January 1, 2000 and no later than January 1, 2007);
  • Be eligible and suitable for resettlement under the criteria of Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees program;
  • Have completed secondary school and already be in possession of the paper copy of the official and original secondary diploma and transcripts (if applicable) at the time of application (see table below for minimum academic grades);
  • Be competent in English or French (oral and written competence);
    • Note: Applicants will need to demonstrate their English or French competency during the shortlisting process. English applicants who are shortlisted for the next stage of the process will undergo a Duolingo English Test and the result obtained weighs heavily on the final shortlisting decision. Applicants are recommended to utilize free Duolingo practice tests in advance to become familiar with the technology and practice their English. (https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants)
  • Be single (unmarried) with no children;
  • Be facing barriers to accessing or completing undergraduate post-secondary education;
    • Note: Applicants currently participating, or who have accepted an offer to participate, in another university access or scholarship program will not be shortlisted.
  • Be self-reliant, mature and suitable for integration in Canada as an individual.

Minimum Academic Requirements by Country of Study

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. If you have completed secondary education in a country other than the ones listed below, and meet all of the other criteria above, we encourage you to apply.
Burundi Diplôme d’Etat 55% Bulletin Scolaire / Relevé des notes
DRC Diplôme d’Etat or Attestation de Réussite 50% (on Examen d’Etat)
1. Note that attestations issued by a secondary school are not accepted.
2. Include all bulletins for years 1 to 6.
3. With your application, you must accompany your Diploma or Attestation with the print out of the graduate list (Palmarès) from the DRC ministry’s website where your name and grade are clearly indicated.
Eritrea ESECE 5 subjects. GPA of 2.5
Ethiopia ESLC 5 subjects. GPA of 2.5
Kenya KCSE B- minus
Rwanda REB Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education A minimum of 3 principal passes
Somalia SSLC 65%
Sudan SSC 55%
South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) 60%
Uganda UACE
*UACE graduates, where applicable, must submit their UCE results with their application.* 		10 points

Further Considerations for the Application Process

  • The SRP values gender equality. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
  • WUSC applies principles of gender inclusion and equity when reviewing applications which may include using different academic standards for female candidates as well as other equity lenses during the shortlisting process.
  • The SRP seeks to offer opportunities to refugee youth who are not currently attending university and who have not already completed an undergraduate university degree. In an effort to extend the limited resettlement and complementary pathways to as many refugee youth in Uganda, applicants who have already accepted a scholarship or university access program offer from another organization or scholarship provider will not be shortlisted for the SRP. Applicants are expected to disclose any university scholarships or sponsorships they have been awarded throughout the application and selection process. Non-disclosure may be grounds for an applicant to be removed from the program.
  • Recent UACE graduates (announced in 2025) who have not yet received their pass slips can submit an attestation letter from their school regarding their results but must also share the results text message from UNEB. Applicants who are shortlisted will be required to bring their original pass slips.
  • Candidates may apply in English or in French. Candidates who are competent in both French and English can indicate this in their application form and may express their language of preference.
  • Ensure you answer all questions fully and honestly. We will be unable to shortlist applications which are incomplete or where documents are not clearly visible. Please ensure the photos/PDFs which you attach are legible.
  • Applicants with discrepancies in their name or date of birth in their academic document(s) or refugee documentation should attach an explanation of the discrepancies with their application.
  • The SRP is open to brothers and sisters from the same family to apply and qualify for the SRP. There is no limit on the number of family members that can be sponsored through the SRP.
  • Due to the nature of the youth-to-youth sponsorship model on Canadian post-secondary campuses, and the limited spaces available, the SRP is only able to sponsor single individuals who are not married, are not expecting, and do not have any biological children.
  • WUSC is unable to add documents or change details in your online application should you make a typing error. If you make a mistake in your online application, it is the applicant's responsibility to submit a new application before the application deadline. In cases where applicants submit multiple applications, WUSCwill only consider the details in your most recent application.
  • Though optional, applicants are encouraged to attach training certificates, awards, reference letters, etc. to their application to support the assessment of their candidacy.
  • Candidates must be eligible for resettlement to Canada. Your eligibility is based on your individual circumstances and refugee claim. The SRP is open to refugees from all nationalities. There are no quotas or targets by country of origin.
  • Individuals selected under this cohort would depart for Canada in August or September 2026. However, the sponsorship process can take up to two years and delays can happen. Selection to the SRP does not guarantee a candidate’s resettlement to Canada as final decisions on visa issuance are made by Canadian immigration officials.
  • Please note: SRP applicants are expected to present WUSC with honest and consistent information and documentation during the application and interview process. WUSC has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the submission of false identification or academic documents. Applicants who misrepresent or withhold any information, or falsify their documentation, in order to meet SRP eligibility, will be permanently banned from future consideration.
  • WUSC thanks all candidates for their interest. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

How to Apply

Complete the online SRP Candidate Application Form available here https://forms.gle/1w9d4nkPP5QyekaC6

Please ensure that all of your documents are saved as electronic files (images or PDFs) as these are the only formats accepted by the Application Form.

Application Deadline

The online application form will open on February 10, 2025. We will accept applications until the deadline of March 7, 2025 at 5pm Kampala time.

For further details and inquiries, please contact WIU scholarship’s team.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0761308499

WIU has offices that are available to support applicants with devices or network to successfully complete their applications (at zero cost), especially those who are resource constrained. Candidates who need extra support or guidance are encouraged to reach out to the WIU email and phone number above.

Thank you for your interest in the SRP!