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! If you are a foreign student outside the 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, meaning you don’t have to pay for tuition instead you’ll receive a monthly salary. Simply find a Ph.D. program at any Swedish university and look for available academic positions.
Top Scholarships in Sweden for International Students
1. SI Scholarships for Global Professionals (Swedish Institute)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Full tuition, SEK 12,000/monthly allowance, and up to SEK 15,000 travel costs
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency offering several 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 scholarship is aimed at students from their list of eligible countries. If you are accepted, you no longer have to pay tuition fees, and you are granted an amount of SEK 12,000 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. Global Scholarship (Lund University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Up to full tuition waiver
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Global Scholarship is a competitive merit-based scholarship given to outstanding non-EU/EEA students. 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. 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 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 stating 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 show dedication and eagerness to be part of Lund University.
3. Scholarships for International Students (Jonkoping University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 30% of tuition fees
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Scholarships for International Students are offered to outstanding students demonstrating excellent academic performance in their bachelor’s or master’s degree program. To qualify for this scholarship, Jönköping University should be your first choice of university. The scholarship grants a 30% discount on tuition 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 for a Residence Permit by the Swedish Migration Agency, the scholarship will no longer be given. Moreover, it 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.
4. Scholarships for International Students (Halmstad University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 25% or 50% tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
Halmstad University‘s Scholarship for International Students is awarded to tuition-paying non-EU/EEA students. The applicant must be admitted to a master’s program in any academic discipline. The scholarship is given based on certain criteria including GPA and English language proficiency. Although anyone can apply, those who applied at Halmstad University as their first choice are given priority.
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.
5. BTH Scholarships for Prospective International Students (Blekinge Institute of Technology)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 50% tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
The Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden is ranked among the top higher education institutions in the world for software engineering and sustainable development. It provides courses and programs in 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. To apply, you must first apply 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.
6. Avancez Scholarships (Chalmers University of Technology)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 75% tuition fee reduction
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
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 in education, natural sciences, architecture, mathematics, maritime, and management.
Under their Avancez Scholarship Program, students from around the globe can apply for 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.
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 at Chalmers. The funds will not be transferred to the recipients but will be deducted directly from the tuition fee.
7. Scholarships for International Students (Dalarna University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 10% – 50% tuition fee reduction
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
Dalarna University 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 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 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.
8. GIH Scholarship (Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Full tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences 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.
It also offers 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.
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, the award will only cover the tuition and not the miscellaneous costs. The recipient shall be held responsible for their living costs during the duration of the study.
9. Global Scholarship (Karlstad University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Up to full tuition fee reduction
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Karlstad University offers a Global Scholarship Program 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 who will be chosen for this scholarship will be based on their academic performance. Those who 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 must be financially capable of funding your stay in the country. Scholarship recipients may receive a tuition fee waiver of 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%.
The cost of studying and living in Sweden is a bit higher compared to other European countries, however, these costs can be alleviated by applying for these scholarships.
We hope that this article on the best scholarships in Sweden for international students was helpful. Make sure to check out the Available Programs in Europe and Study in Sweden sections!
