The dream of studying in Sweden is achievable, and funding it is often the first big step. Successfully navigating the world of Scholarships for International Students in Sweden 2025 – 2026 is crucial for non-EU/EEA students who are required to pay tuition fees.
While the cost of living and tuition can be high, a robust landscape of scholarship opportunities, from the Swedish government to individual universities, has been consistently available throughout this period to support high-achieving, ambitious global professionals.
Key Requirements for Securing Scholarships for International Students in Sweden 2025 – 2026
The landscape of securing scholarships for international students in Sweden 2025 – 2026 is largely defined by the offerings of the Swedish Institute (SI), a government agency, and various individual Swedish universities.
The most prominent and comprehensive scholarship is the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals (SISGP), which sets the benchmark for many key requirements. These requirements typically focus on a blend of geographical eligibility, academic standing, and demonstrated professional or leadership potential.
Citizenship from an Eligible Country
A foundational and non-negotiable requirement for the most sought-after national scholarships, particularly the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (SISGP), is citizenship in one of the specifically designated countries.
The list of eligible countries, which is subject to periodic review, is strictly adhered to, as the scholarship is strategically designed to develop future global leaders in nations that align with Sweden’s development cooperation policies and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Applicants must ensure their country of citizenship is on the list for the academic year they are applying for. It is important to note that while citizenship is mandatory, applicants are generally not required to reside in their home country at the time of application, as long as they meet all other criteria.
This condition is crucial for narrowing the competitive pool to candidates from countries where the impact of the scholarship is targeted for maximum return in terms of sustainable development and democratic capacity-building.
Admission to an Eligible Master’s Programme
A central pillar of the scholarship application process is securing admission to a qualifying master’s degree programme at a Swedish university. For the SI Scholarship, not all master’s programmes are eligible, and applicants must carefully select from a pre-approved, extensive list of English-taught, full-time programmes that typically span either one or two years.
The scholarship application is entirely conditional on the university application process. Candidates must apply to a master’s programme through the national University Admissions portal and then proceed to apply for the scholarship using the unique application number received from their university application.
More importantly, applicants must be admitted (or conditionally admitted) to one of their chosen eligible programmes by the time of the scholarship announcement.
Furthermore, most Swedish university scholarships, which are separate from the SI scholarships and generally cover only tuition fees, also require an applicant to be admitted to their master’s programme, often prioritizing those who have ranked the university as their first choice.
Fee-Paying Student Status
An explicit and universal requirement across almost all Swedish scholarship programs for international students is that the applicant must be liable to pay tuition fees to Swedish universities.
This criterion effectively restricts eligibility to citizens of non-EU/EEA countries and Switzerland, as students from these regions are generally required to pay application and tuition fees for higher education in Sweden.
Applicants from EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, and those with certain types of residence permits in Sweden (like permanent residence permits) are typically exempt from tuition fees and are, therefore, not eligible for these specific international student scholarships.
This is a fundamental structural condition, as the core purpose of most scholarships, whether full or partial, is to offset the financial burden of the tuition fee for students who do not qualify for fee-exempt status under Swedish law.
Applicants must be certain of their fee-paying status and also ensure they pay the separate, non-refundable university admissions application fee on time for their application to be considered valid for both university admission and scholarship selection.
Demonstrated Work and Leadership Experience
The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) place a significant emphasis on the applicant’s professional background and leadership potential, reflecting the program’s goal of nurturing future leaders who can drive positive change.
Applicants must demonstrate a substantial amount of work experience, generally a minimum of 3,000 hours accumulated from a maximum of three different employers or organizations.
This can include full-time or part-time employment, freelancing, or even experience as an employer, but must be officially certified using the Swedish Institute specific template forms. Equally important is the requirement for demonstrated leadership experience.
While this criterion does not have a minimum hour requirement like the work experience, it must be clearly evidenced through current or previous employment, or engagement in civil society organizations, networks, or non-governmental organizations.
This dual requirement signals that the scholarship is not merely merit-based on academic grades, but is heavily focused on candidates who possess the practical experience and leadership capacity to become influential actors in their home countries.
Restrictions on Previous Residency and Study in Sweden
To ensure the scholarships are awarded to international students who will genuinely benefit from the cultural exchange and educational opportunity, certain restrictions are placed on an applicant’s prior connection to Sweden.
For instance, applicants for the SISGP must generally not have already resided in Sweden for a cumulative period of two years or more prior to the start of the scholarship period.
Additionally, candidates must not have previously been awarded a Swedish Institute scholarship for master’s level studies or have a degree from a Swedish university.
These rules are designed to prioritize candidates who are starting their relationship with the Swedish higher education system and for whom the scholarship will represent a significant, transformative opportunity.
These conditions also help to exclude those who have already established a long-term connection to the country, thereby focusing the resources on those who are new to Sweden’s academic environment.
Scholarships for International Students in Sweden 2025 – 2026
Embarking on higher education in Sweden as an international student from outside the EU/EEA typically requires paying tuition fees. Fortunately, the Swedish government and various top universities offer generous scholarship programs to attract highly qualified global talent.
The following outlines seven major scholarships for international students, which have been available in the period 2025 – 2026, to help finance your studies in Sweden.
1. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive scholarships offered for master’s studies in Sweden, funded by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This scholarship is fully funded, covering not only the full tuition fee but also providing a monthly allowance to cover living expenses, a travel grant, and comprehensive insurance. The program is explicitly aimed at ambitious professionals with demonstrated work and leadership experience from a select list of developing countries.
SISGP’s core mission is to build a network of future global leaders committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and driving positive, sustainable development in their home countries.
Recipients are inducted into the Swedish Institute Network for Global Professionals (NFGP), which offers continuous networking, mentorship, and capacity-enhancing programs, ensuring a long-lasting relationship with Sweden beyond the academic period.
2. Lund University Global Scholarship Programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship is a selective and highly competitive merit-based award designed to recognize top-performing academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA who are liable for tuition fees.
Lund University, being one of the world’s top 100 universities, dedicates significant annual funding, often amounting to millions of SEK, towards this program. The scholarship grants may cover a portion of the tuition fee, or in some exceptional cases, the full tuition fee, but it is important to note that it does not include coverage for living costs.
To be considered for this prestigious award, applicants must demonstrate a proven track record of consistently high academic performance and be an excellent fit for their chosen program.
A crucial requirement for eligibility is selecting a Lund University program as the first choice when applying for studies through the central Swedish application portal, universityadmissions.se.
3. KTH Royal Institute of Technology Scholarship
The KTH Scholarship is a highly sought-after, merit-based tuition fee waiver offered by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, a leading technical university in Europe.
This scholarship covers the full tuition fee for the first and, assuming satisfactory academic progress, the second year of a one- or two-year master’s program.
The selection process is rigorous, focusing on the applicant’s academic excellence and, significantly, their stated drive and plan to contribute to sustainable development with their master’s degree from KTH.
Eligibility is strictly limited to fee-paying students who have applied for an eligible master’s program at KTH and have listed it as their first priority on their university admissions application. While KTH receives a large volume of applications, only a small percentage of admitted students are typically nominated for this scholarship, emphasizing its exclusivity.
4. Chalmers IPOET Scholarships
The Chalmers IPOET (International Programme Office for Education and Training) Scholarships are a set of highly valuable tuition fee waivers administered and awarded by Chalmers University of Technology.
Funded by the Swedish Council for Higher Education, these scholarships primarily offer a 75% reduction in the tuition fee for prospective international students enrolling in a master’s program at Chalmers.
The scholarships are granted based on relative academic excellence, which is assessed through a holistic view including the applicant’s weighted average grade, the stature and ranking of their previous home university, and their priority ranking of Chalmers’ master’s programs in their application.
Furthermore, a recipient who excels during their first year of study may even receive an increased fee reduction, up to 85%, for their second and final year, showcasing Chalmers’ commitment to supporting their top-performing international cohort.
5. Karolinska Institutet Global Master’s Scholarship
The Karolinska Institutet (KI) Global Master’s Scholarship is an institutional award for excellent students admitted to one of KI’s prestigious Global Master’s Programmes.
As one of the world’s foremost medical universities, competition for this scholarship is exceptionally high, with KI typically offering a very limited number of scholarships—around one per eligible program per year.
The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for the program; however, like many university-specific scholarships, it does not provide any funding for travel, living expenses, or other associated costs, which must be secured by the student.
Selection is a comprehensive, merit-based process determined by the academic staff, who evaluate the applicant’s prior education, professional and research experience, statement of intent, and a mandatory CV form submitted via the central university admissions system.
6. Uppsala University Global Scholarships
Uppsala University offers its own merit-based scholarship, the Uppsala University Global Scholarship, to attract outstanding international students from outside the EU/EEA who are applying for master’s programs.
The university is responsible for managing and distributing a limited number of these grants annually, which are generally aimed at waiving the tuition fees for successful applicants.
The scholarship is highly competitive and exclusively targets students who demonstrate exceptional academic merit, a strong motivation for their chosen course of study, and a commitment to contributing to the university’s vibrant international learning environment.
The specific value and number of awards can vary from year to year, depending on the available funding from the university and other external sources, but the primary purpose remains to make an education at one of Sweden’s oldest and most respected institutions accessible to top international talent.
7. Linköping University (LiU) International Scholarship
Linköping University (LiU) offers the LiU International Scholarship to a limited number of academically outstanding international students.
This merit-based scholarship typically takes the form of a tuition fee reduction, which can range from a partial waiver up to covering the total tuition fee for the master’s program.
The specific level of the scholarship (the percentage of the fee covered) is often determined by the applicant’s academic merit, measured by a high GPA or equivalent academic record.
For instance, LiU has specified minimum academic standards, such as a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, for applicants to be considered.
The scholarship is awarded to new, fee-paying students and its continuation for the second year is usually conditional on satisfactory academic performance during the first year, generally requiring a minimum number of completed credits.
8. Mid Sweden University Tuition Fee Scholarships
Mid Sweden University (Mittuniversitetet) provides its own university scholarships aimed at supporting talented international students who are required to pay tuition fees.
The Mid Sweden University Tuition Fee Scholarship is an explicit tuition fee waiver that typically covers 75% of the total tuition fee for a master’s program. This makes the program significantly more affordable for international students, as they are only responsible for the remaining 25% of the tuition fee each semester, along with all living and travel expenses.
The scholarship is merit-based, awarded to high-achieving applicants, and generally requires the student to follow the normal study plan to maintain the award throughout their program.
9. Stockholm University Scholarships for International Students
Stockholm University, a public research university in the Swedish capital, offers scholarships to a limited number of high-achieving international students from outside the EU/EEA applying for a master’s program.
These scholarships are generally tuition fee waivers and are intended to cover the full cost of the tuition fee for the duration of the program. The selection is based on academic merit, with a strong emphasis on the applicant’s grades, previous academic work, and the relevance of their chosen master’s program to their future career.
As a major urban university, its scholarships are highly sought after, and while they cover tuition, successful candidates must ensure they have adequate funding to cover the high cost of living in Stockholm.
10. Malmö University Master Scholarships
Malmö University specifically offers Master Scholarships for international students, which often take the form of a 100% tuition fee waiver for all master’s programs. This is a highly competitive, merit-based scholarship designed for students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance in their previous studies.
The scholarship is a powerful incentive for top international talent to choose Malmö University. The application process for the scholarship is typically integrated with the university admissions process, and it requires applicants to be fee-paying students from outside the EU/EEA area.
Like many university-specific awards, it solely focuses on tuition costs and does not extend to covering accommodation, living expenses, or travel.
11. Dalarna University Academic Excellence Scholarship
Dalarna University provides an Academic Excellence Scholarship which is unique because it is an award granted throughout the student’s master’s program, based on their results. This scholarship is designed to be transparent and is often guaranteed for all students who meet the academic criteria.
It consists of two types of awards: a Semester Award and a Programme Distinction. The Semester Award provides a fixed monetary reduction (which varies by program, e.g., SEK 10,000 to SEK 15,000 per semester) for each semester where the student meets the criteria, and the Programme Distinction is an additional award upon graduation for those who qualified in all semesters.
This structure provides continuous financial support as a reward for sustained high academic performance, alongside their Choose Dalarna First Scholarship, a minor tuition reduction for those who rank Dalarna as their first choice.
12. University of Gothenburg Axel Adler Scholarship
The Axel Adler Scholarship, offered by the University of Gothenburg, is a prestigious program for international students applying for master’s degree programs. The scholarship is merit-based and provides a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the student’s program.
The core philosophy of the award is to promote academic excellence and attract globally outstanding students to study in Gothenburg. Eligibility is restricted to fee-paying students from outside the EU/EEA.
The selection process involves a comprehensive review of the student’s application, including academic record and statement of intent, and is highly competitive due to the university’s reputation and the valuable benefit of a 100% tuition fee waiver.
13. Linnaeus University Scholarships
The Linnaeus University Scholarships are specifically designed for high-achieving international students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who are required to pay tuition fees for their chosen study program at the university.
This scholarship functions as a partial tuition fee waiver, covering a portion of the total tuition cost, which significantly reduces the financial burden on international students.
The scholarships are primarily merit-based, with the university’s selection committee assessing applicants based on their academic qualifications and the relevance and priority of their application to Linnaeus University.
This scholarship is particularly beneficial for students who have excelled in their previous academic careers and who have chosen Linnaeus University as their preferred institution for their Bachelor’s or Master’s studies in Sweden.
Strategies for Successful Application to Secure Scholarships for International Students in Sweden 2025 – 2026
Securing a scholarship for international students in Sweden, particularly for a highly competitive award like the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (SISGP), requires a strategic and meticulous approach to your application.
The 2025–2026 application cycle will demand careful adherence to deadlines and a clear demonstration of your potential to contribute to global sustainable development.
Early and Thorough Preparation
You must start early by familiarizing yourself with all requirements and deadlines for both university admission and the scholarship. The university application period (for a master’s program) typically opens in October and closes in mid-January, which precedes the brief scholarship application window (often in February).
Gather all required documents, such as transcripts, English proficiency proof, and particularly the specific templates for the CV, motivation letter, and reference letters, well in advance.
Since all instructions must be followed precisely to avoid disqualification, dedicating ample time ensures all paperwork is complete and error-free, which is a key factor in such a competitive process.
Secure Admission to an Eligible Program
A fundamental requirement for most central scholarships, especially the SISGP, is to be admitted or conditionally admitted to an eligible master’s program by the university admission announcement date (usually late March).
This means you must apply to a program that is on the scholarship’s eligible list, which is typically published in November, and you must rank it as your first choice on University Admissions.
Ensure you meet all academic and English proficiency entry requirements for the program and pay the application fee on time, as failure to do so can result in your application being considered late and thus ineligible for the scholarship.
Demonstrate Relevant Work and Leadership Experience
For the SISGP, a key selection criterion is your professional and leadership experience. You are typically required to prove at least 3,000 hours of work experience in an eligible country.
More importantly, you must clearly demonstrate leadership potential, which doesn’t necessarily mean a formal title but can be shown through your involvement in projects, civil society engagement, or taking responsibility in your professional capacity.
All claimed experience must be verifiable using the scholarship’s specific template forms and certified by your employers or relevant organizations, prioritizing experience related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Craft a Coherent and Compelling Personal Narrative
Your application documents, especially the motivation letter and CV, must tell a clear, consistent, and compelling story that links your past achievements, chosen master’s program, and future goals.
The selection committee seeks candidates whose vision aligns with the scholarship’s aim of fostering future global leaders who will contribute to sustainable development in their home country and region.
Use specific examples and figures to quantify your accomplishments, and explicitly show how the knowledge and skills gained from your chosen Swedish master’s program will enable you to solve a concrete challenge in your field or community.
Be Specific and Show Impact in Your Motivation Letter
The motivation letter is your best chance to make a strong impression and convince the committee that you are the right match. Instead of making general statements like “I am a great leader,” you must be specific, providing tangible, outcome-based evidence of your impact, as in, “I led a team of 10 to implement X project, resulting in a Y% increase in efficiency.”
Given the often-strict character limits, every sentence must be meaningful. You should elaborate on how your key values align with Swedish and Swedish Institute values, and how your studies will directly contribute to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ensure Integrity and Quality in All Documents
Given the highly competitive nature of Swedish scholarships (with a low success rate for the SI Scholarship), the smallest mistake can lead to disqualification. Follow all instructions for templates precisely, including formatting and maximum page/character limits.
Use the templates provided by the scholarship organization and ensure all required signatures, stamps, and translations (if applicable) are correct.
Additionally, have a trusted friend or mentor proofread your entire application to catch any errors in spelling, grammar, or consistency, demonstrating your attention to detail and professional integrity.
Conclusion
Securing one of the Scholarships for International Students in Sweden 2020 – 2026 requires a strategic approach, a strong academic profile, and careful planning. Start your research early, pay attention to deadlines, and prepare an application that truly highlights your potential to thrive in Sweden’s world-class academic environment.