Skill Path selects RSSP students through a rigorous, multi-stage process designed to be fair, transparent and safe.
Application completion – Skill Path only assesses completed applications. All modules must be submitted and DET completed in order to be assessed.
Eligibility verification – We confirm identity, age, country location and registration status directly with UNHCR, and check a valid English test and sufficient academic information has been provided to assess application. Students who cannot be verified as meeting eligibility criteria are screened out of selection.
English screening – Duolingo English Test results are assessed against thresholds set for each stream.
Academic screening – Each applicant's highest qualification is verified and assessed. We do spot checks with educational institutions to verify validity of academic documents submitted.
Longlist – We rank each candidate on their academic results. We read and score each motivation statement and use this to create a weighted academic score. The strongest candidates progress – around five candidates for every available place.
Shortlist – Skill Path shortlists the top scoring candidates for interview, factoring in the university places available (undergraduate and postgraduate), priority courses and diversity of candidate pool (we strive for gender balance and diversity of different backgrounds). At this stage we examine other documents provided such as CVs to gather a holistic understanding of the candidate’s background. Any documents or information supplied in CVs may be independently verified by Skill Path at any stage.
Interview – Shortlisted students are interviewed by a panel including university and community representatives. Interviewers each score the candidate and their scores are calibrated to remove panel bias.
Final selection – Skill Path agrees on the final cohort taking into account interview panel scoring and feedback. Every finalist is vetted for humanitarian circumstance, character and security prior to being awarded a place.
Waitlist – Students who just missed out may be invited to submit further information (such as a video CV) and be interviewed for the RSSP General Waitlist. Waitlisted students will be considered for future cohorts of the RSSP.
Students who are unsuccessful are encouraged to apply again next year. Skill Path publishes advice on how to prepare for the next round of applications. Given the large number of applications and competitive selection process, it is common for students to miss out the first time they apply. Students are often more likely to be selected the second or third time, so do not give up!