Sweden is home to many top-ranked universities and internationally successful businesses. It has been an attractive place for education for most EU/EEA citizens because studying here is free! And if you are a foreign student outside EU/EEA, you can opt for a scholarship to help you with your financial needs.
This article lists the top scholarships in Sweden for international students. However, you might be wondering why this list only contains scholarships for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Well, applying for a Ph.D. degree in Sweden, regardless of country of origin, is free! It is equivalent to applying for a job, which means you don’t have to pay for tuition fees and instead you’ll receive a monthly salary. Simply find a Ph.D. program at any Swedish university and look for available academic positions.
Best Scholarships in Sweden
1. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: full-tuition waiver, monthly living expenses of SEK 10,000, health insurance, and airfare of SEK 15,000
- Eligible Degree: master’s
The Swedish Institute (SI) is a government agency that offers 300 scholarships to international master’s students at Swedish higher education institutions and universities. The scholarship covers a master’s program for one year full-time or a maximum of two years. Eligible applicants must have at least 3,000 hours of work experience from at least one to three companies while exhibiting leadership skills. To avail of the scholarship, you must also be accepted to a master’s program at Swedish universities.
Moreover, this Sweden scholarship is aimed at students from their list of eligible 42 countries (refer to the scholarship link for the complete list). If you are accepted, you no longer have to pay tuition fees, and you are granted an amount of SEK 10,000 per month for living expenses and health insurance. Plus, if you are living outside Sweden, your airfare expense is covered up to SEK 15,000 which is given one-time only.
2. Visby Programme
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: full-tuition waiver, monthly living expenses of SEK 9,000, health insurance, and airfare of SEK 5,000
- Eligible Degree: master’s
The Visby Programme Scholarship, one of the best scholarships in Sweden for international students, is awarded to international master’s students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine. If you are a dual citizen of any of the countries mentioned, you should only pick one for your application. Although you can choose to study from among 600 master’s programs, those pursuing master’s programs related to environmental and social sustainability and responsibility, and sustainable economic growth are given priority.
Aside from admission in a master’s program, you need to have relevant work experience either part-time or full-time work. Without work experience, your scholarship application will be rejected. Other criteria that can disqualify your application is when you have already been given an SI scholarship at a university in the past, are currently studying at a Swedish university or college, and have Swedish citizenship or permanent residence status.
3. Lund University Global Scholarship Programme
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: partial or full-tuition waiver
- Eligible Degree: bachelor’s, master’s
The Lund University Global Scholarship Programme is a competitive merit-based scholarship given to outstanding students outside EU and EEA countries. Before applying for the scholarship, you must show your capacity to meet the living expenses in Sweden as a prerequisite of the Swedish Migration Agency. To be eligible for this scholarship in Sweden, you need to be a foreign citizen living outside EU or EEA countries and have applied to a program at Lund University. Once you have paid the application fee, you will then be directed to another site to apply for the scholarship.
If you chose a program at Lund University as your first choice in the university application, you have a better chance of getting the scholarship. The scholarship application requires you to submit a 600-word motivation letter that states the reasons why you deserve a Lund University scholarship. Since the scholarship is merit-based, the financial difficulty will not be part of the criteria. Only students with excellent academic standing who shows dedication and eagerness to be part of Lund University.
4. The Jönköping University Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: 30% of tuition fees
- Eligible Degree: bachelor’s, master’s
The scholarships from Jönköping University are offered to outstanding students demonstrating excellent academic performance in their bachelor’s or master’s degree program. To qualify for this Sweden scholarship, Jönköping University should be your first choice of university in your application and have applied for a program. The scholarship grants a 30% discount on the tuition fee for up to three years and can only be maintained as long as you have good academic standing in your previous years.
In case you were awarded a scholarship but were rejected a Residence Permit by the Swedish Migration Agency, the scholarship will no longer be given. Moreover, the scholarship is only offered to the initial program you applied for and will disqualify you if you change your program or move to another school. In circumstances where you get suspended or are unable to pay the remaining fees, the scholarship can also be taken away. Once you are accepted at the university and have paid the application fee, you can apply for a scholarship at a separate portal.
5. Halmstad University Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: 25% or 50% tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree: master’s
The Halmstad University Scholarship, a top scholarship in Sweden for international students, is awarded to paying international students outside the EU or EEA and Switzerland. The applicant should be admitted to a master’s program in any field of study. The scholarship only pays for 25% or 50% of the tuition fees and does not include living expenses. It will provide support for two to four semesters provided the student performs well academically.
To apply for a scholarship, you need to apply for a master’s program and fill up the application form for scholarships. The scholarship is given based on certain criteria including GPA and English language proficiency. Although anyone can apply, those who made Halmstad University their first choice are given priority.
6. BTH Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: 50% tuition fee reduction
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Masters
The Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden is ranked among the top higher education institutions in the world for software engineering and sustainable development. They also provide courses and programs in the field of industrial economics, health sciences, and spatial planning. They offer scholarships for students from non-European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) nations. This Sweden scholarship is only applicable if you are considered to be a tuition fee-paying student.
You must be a citizen of a non-EU/EEA nation to qualify. The full list of nations is available on the United Kingdom’s official government website. To apply, you must first submit an application for a campus-based BTH program. Since the scholarship is only good for a year, it will not be applicable if the student’s study time is postponed for a year.
Recipients of scholarships will have their tuition costs reduced by 50%. The scholarship amount will not be paid to the student but will be deducted from the tuition cost. For further information and announcements, you may visit the official BTH website on the link above.
7. Chalmers University Avancez Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: 75% tuition fee reduction for two-year programs and an additional reduction for outstanding students
- Eligible Degree: Masters
The Chalmers University of Technology, one of Sweden’s best universities, awards merit-based scholarships to international students from non-EU nations. Chalmers is well-known for its technology programs, particularly in functional programming. They also offer courses on education, natural sciences, architecture, mathematics, maritime, and management.
Under their Avancez Scholarship Program, students from around the globe can apply for a chance to get a scholarship from Chalmers. Students will be chosen based on their academic performance, including their overall GPA and the reputation of their home university. The university president will decide how many scholarships and programs to award each year. You must be enrolled in your first year of a Master’s program to be eligible. The ranking of Master’s programs will also be taken into account when evaluating your scholarship application. To increase your chances of receiving a scholarship from Chalmers, list a Master’s program at Chalmers as your top priority.
During their two-year program, awardees will receive a 75% tuition fee reduction for four semesters. A further reduction of 85% will be given for the succeeding years of study if the beneficiary earns an exceptional grade in their first year of study at Chalmers. The funds will not be transferred to the recipients, but will instead be deducted directly from the tuition fee.
8. Dalarna University Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: 10% to 50% tuition fee reduction depending on the award
- Eligible Degree: Masters
Dalarna University (DU) is well-known in Sweden for being a pioneer in incorporating technology and new teaching methods into education. Scholarships are available from DU to deserving international students with strong school credentials. The recipients are chosen based on their motivational statement, career history, and academic standing.
There are no restrictions on the candidate’s age or nationality. You automatically qualify as an applicant if you successfully complete the online scholarship application, cover letter, and motivational statement. However, you must first establish in your motivational statement why you deserve a Dalarna University scholarship.
Priority will be given to applicants who listed Dalarna University as their top preference on universityadmissions.se. Depending on the scholarship, recipients will get a partial tuition fee reduction of between 10% and 50%. If you were given a scholarship, you must finish at least 20 credits of your program each semester to keep your scholarship. For more information, please see the complete list of application guidelines by clicking the link above.
9. GIH Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Masters
The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the areas of sport and health. It is Sweden’s only university solely dedicated to sports and health sciences. They also offer scholarships to qualified non-EU students.
To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a country other than the European Union and be able to pay tuition at Swedish universities. Fee-paying students, on the other hand, may receive a full tuition fee waiver if they apply for the scholarship. The Swedish Migration Agency website has guidelines for international students enrolling in Swedish universities. To apply, send the application form to the GIH registrar.
Keep in mind that this scholarship will only be valid for the length of the chosen program. If the student exceeds the length of the program, the scholarship will no longer apply. Also, this scholarship only covers the tuition fees and not the miscellaneous costs. The recipient shall be held responsible for their living costs during the duration of the study.
10. Karlstad University Global Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% tuition fee reduction
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Ph.D.
Karlstad University offers a Global Scholarship Programme to academically outstanding students from countries other than Switzerland, the European Union, and the European Economic Area. This scholarship in Sweden is not available to students from the following 12 countries: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Instead, students from these countries can apply for Swedish Institute Study Scholarships.
Candidates will be chosen for this scholarship based on their academic performance. Candidates that are extremely driven and enthusiastic about studying at Karlstad University will be prioritized as well. This scholarship is only valid for one year, and any deferment or suspension will result in the scholarship being forfeited.
To ensure that you can continue your studies at the university, you must have a residence permit for education and be financially capable of funding your stay at the university. Depending on their award, scholarship recipients may receive a tuition fee waiver of 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%. This scholarship will not be paid to the recipient; rather, it will be deducted from the program’s tuition fees.
We hope that this article on the best scholarships in Sweden for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
