This research gathers and analyses the good practices of refugee reception and integration in the Italian higher education system. The methodological approach includes both qualitative and quantitative methods based on interviews and questionnaires to students, professors, and government scholarship secretariats. Several Italian institutions collaborated in this research. The study found that the number of scholarships offered is higher than the candidates who fulfil the necessary requisites to be granted this aid. Since only a few immigrants who arrive in Italy get international protection, the programmes have more vacancies than eligible candidates. The universities are developing a good work, with many participants of the academic community committed to the cause. Students are satisfied with the courses and they believe that this opportunity of studying and validating their professional skills is changing their lives. They feel that from the moment they access university they are no longer labelled as refugees, they become students and professionals with an essential role in global development. Despite the favourable situation, the challenge remains to increase the access of these immigrants to higher education, either by facilitating the enrolment for those who have not yet obtained international protection, spreading the word about the scholarships more efficiently, increasing the number of institutions involved in this cause, or even stimulating private investment. The projects identified are good examples of practices to integrate immigrants into the educational system and a step forward into their incorporation in the labour market. With due caution, these projects can be inspiring for other regions and countries.