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Scholarships in Sweden for International Students

1 verified scholarships · 1 fully funded · Including Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)

Sweden is a top study destination renowned for its centuries-old academic traditions, affordable tuition programs, and rich cultural diversity. We've compiled 1 scholarship opportunities — including 1 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in Sweden in 2026.

1

Total Scholarships

1

Fully Funded

1

Degree Levels

0

Open to All Nations

All Scholarships in Sweden

Why Study in Sweden?

Sweden is one of Europe's most internationalised study destinations with over 1,200 English-taught Master's programmes and a tradition of free, open higher education that still applies to EU/EEA students. Non-EU students pay tuition, but the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) fund roughly 350 of the world's most promising graduate students each year with full tuition, generous monthly stipend, and travel grant. Swedish universities anchor strong programmes in sustainability, life sciences, design, and engineering, and the country's reputation for work-life balance, English fluency, and innovation makes it a top destination for STEM and policy students.

Top Universities in Sweden for International Students

These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.

Lund University

Lund

Physics, engineering, humanities (largest Swedish university)

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Stockholm

Engineering, architecture, computer science

Karolinska Institute

Stockholm

Medicine, biomedical research (awards the Nobel Prize in Medicine)

Uppsala University

Uppsala

Humanities, medicine, physics (oldest Nordic university)

Stockholm University

Stockholm

Natural sciences, social sciences, business

Chalmers University of Technology

Gothenburg

Engineering, automotive, sustainability

University of Gothenburg

Gothenburg

Business, education, marine sciences

Linköping University

Linköping

Engineering, computer science, design

Tuition and Cost of Living in Sweden

Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.

Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)

Undergraduate
SEK 80,000–145,000 per year (non-EU)
Master's
SEK 90,000–180,000 per year (non-EU)
PhD
Salaried position (~SEK 30,000/month gross starting)

EU/EEA/Swiss students pay no tuition. Non-EU PhD candidates in Sweden are employees, not students, with full salary and benefits.

Monthly Living Budget (SEK8,000–SEK13,000)

Rent
SEK 3,500–7,500 (student housing or shared apartment; Stockholm at upper end)
Food
SEK 2,500–3,500
Transport
SEK 600–950 (SL student card in Stockholm)

Stockholm is ~25% more expensive than Gothenburg, Lund, Uppsala, or Linköping. SISGP stipend (SEK 12,000/month tax-free) covers comfortable living.

Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway

Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.

Residence Permit for Studies

Visa Fee
SEK 1,500
Processing Time
3–8 months (apply early)
Financial Proof Required
SEK 10,584/month for the duration of studies, plus tuition
Health Insurance
Universities arrange basic insurance for students staying <1 year; longer stays grant access to Swedish public health system
Work While Studying
Unlimited hours alongside studies

Post-Study Work Rights

Residence permit for job-seeking: 12 months after graduation to find skilled work or start a business. After 4 years of cumulative work (including PhD time), eligible for permanent residence.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 5.5 is the most common requirement. TOEFL iBT 90, Cambridge B/C, and Pearson Test of English 62 are all accepted. Most programmes also accept proof of English-medium prior education.

Application Timeline for Sweden Scholarships

Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.

  1. 1

    12–14 months before

    Identify SISGP-eligible countries (changes yearly); shortlist Master's programmes.

  2. 2

    10–12 months before

    Take IELTS/TOEFL; secure work experience documentation (SISGP requires 3,000+ hours).

  3. 3

    8–10 months before

    Apply to up to 4 programmes via UniversityAdmissions.se (deadline mid-January).

  4. 4

    6–8 months before

    Apply for SISGP via SI portal (deadline early February); pay application fee (SEK 900).

  5. 5

    3–5 months before

    Receive admission/scholarship, apply for residence permit, secure housing through SSSB (Stockholm) or local unions.

How to Win a Scholarship in Sweden

SISGP is country-restricted and competitive — check Swedish Institute's eligible country list each year (it excludes most high-income countries and rotates focus regions). The application requires 3,000+ hours of work or volunteer experience documented through reference letters; service-learning, internships, and entrepreneurial experience all count. SISGP funds primarily Master's degrees. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters consortia hosted at Swedish universities offer alternative full funding with broader eligibility. Lund University and KTH run their own scholarships (Lund Global Scholarship, KTH Scholarship) for non-EU students with partial-to-full tuition coverage. Apply to programmes well before the SISGP deadline; the SISGP application requires you to be admitted to at least one Swedish programme first.

Sweden Scholarships at a Glance

  • SISGP covers full tuition, SEK 12,000/month, SEK 15,000 travel grant, and insurance.
  • EU/EEA students pay zero tuition at all Swedish universities.
  • PhD students in Sweden are salaried employees with full pension and benefits.
  • Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö rank among the world's most innovative cities.

Scholarships in Sweden by Student Nationality

Find scholarships in Sweden tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.

Explore Other Study Destinations

Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Sweden

Yes, Sweden offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.

Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.

Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Many European universities also offer programs in the local language, with preparatory language courses included in some scholarship packages.

Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.

Most student visa categories in Sweden allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.

TheScholarSphere currently lists 1 scholarship programs in Sweden for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

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