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Last Updated: January 05, 2022

Scholarships for International Students in Sweden

Sweden is a Nordic country that provides high-quality education which is student-centric. The education system here focuses on terms like freedom and responsibility which the universities try their best to inculcate in students rather than rely on grades like most other countries. The country offers subsidized education for Swedish nationals and candidates from EU/EEA countries but charges a tuition fee from non-EU/EEA candidates.

The fee that non-EU/EEA candidates will have to pay ranges between 80,000kr to 140,000kr per year if they enroll in a public university. If they have enrolled in a private university, the fee will increase based on the field they have chosen and the level of study. Though the tuition fee may seem high, students will be able to apply for scholarships that are based on nationality, merit, and the economic background the student is from. The scholarships that are offered in the country are mostly in the form of tuition waivers.

Types of Scholarships in Sweden

Sweden offers different kinds of scholarships to international students which differ based on the funding agency of the said scholarship. The scholarships are provided based on the nationality of the candidate, their merit, and even based on their economic background for each of which the eligibility criteria differ from institution to institution.

The most popular scholarships in the country are the university-based scholarships which must be applied to by the candidate as part of their admission. These scholarships are mostly merit-based and will require students to continue performing well in their academics even after being awarded the scholarship. The second most popular scholarship which is highly competitive is the Swedish Institute Scholarship which is funded by the Swedish government. Students will also be able to look and apply for scholarships that are offered by organizations and agencies which are mostly based on nationality and economic background.

Top Scholarship Programs

Students applying to Swedish universities enjoy the privilege of winning a whole gamut of scholarships. Though there are plenty of scholarships available, the ones which offer a full tuition waiver have a highly competitive nature due to the number of applicants that register year after year for the same. The details for a few of these scholarships have been listed below-

Government-Funded Scholarships in Sweden

1. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals

The Swedish Institute is a government agency that offers over 350 annual scholarships to students and researchers from across the world. These are scholarships offered to students from specific countries, intending to help promising intellectuals receive a very high quality of education and help better conditions in their respective nations. These scholarships are fully funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are provided only for candidates doing a master’s level program.

Benefits of SISGP Scholarship

The scholarship is highly sought-after by international candidates due to the benefits it provides as part of the program. The duration for which the scholarship is provided depends on the duration of the master’s program they have been enrolled in and can either be one or two years. The scholarship will be provided only for programs that start with the autumn semester. The benefits of the scholarship include-

Eligibility Criteria for SISGP Scholarship

The scholarship is provided to students from 42 countries that are not part of the EU/EEA. The student who is applying must be applying for a master’s program at a university that is eligible for SI scholarships. Most often, the subject areas that are chosen for the scholarship differ according to the nationality of the candidate and students should cross-check this with the university they have applied to. The student who is applying must also have sufficient proof of leadership qualities to qualify for the scholarship. Other eligibility criteria include- The countries whose nationals are eligible for the scholarship include-

Fields of Study for SI Scholarships

The fields of study that SI scholarships are generally awarded to include-

2. The Visby Program Scholarship

This scholarship is provided to students who have enrolled in master’s programs in Sweden and is based entirely on merit and nationality. It is provided to candidates from select developing countries with over 60 scholarships provided every year. It is also funded by the Swedish Institute and the program is fully termed as the Swedish Institute Visby Program.

Benefits of Visby Program Scholarship

The benefits of receiving this scholarship include-

Eligibility Criteria for Visby Program Scholarship

This scholarship is based entirely on the merit and nationality of the candidate and is provided only for candidates who have enrolled for a master’s program in the country. Their academic record must mostly be stellar in their field of study especially due to the high competition that is prevalent for the scholarship. The eligibility requirements include- Students should belong to one of the following countries if they are to be eligible for the scholarship.

3. Bilateral Scholarships

Sweden has entered into educational agreements with China and Japan to offer a range of scholarships for students hailing from these countries. These scholarships cover the living expenses of the candidate.

University Scholarship Programs

Every university in Sweden has its own set of unique scholarship programs that help students from across the globe earn a quality education without much economical difficulty. These scholarship programs are tailored to cater to every university's target student. The eligibility criteria for each of these scholarships are specific to the university and the program the candidate has been admitted to. Most of them are provided based on the nationality of the student and their merit.

Benefits of University Scholarships

The benefits of university-based scholarships are offered to students in the form of tuition waivers. Students will not be receiving any additional sum for their living expenses or other academic expenses unless it is specified by the university. The amount that is awarded will cover a particular part of the tuition fee which can range anywhere between 25% to 100% of the entire amount.

Top University Scholarships

1.Chalmers University of Technology Scholarships

Students who are liable to pay the tuition fees at the Chalmers University of Technology will be able to apply for the different scholarships that the university provides. The scholarships will cover 25% to 200% of the tuition fee and are based on both merit and nationality of the candidate. The university provides multiple scholarships which cater to different fields of study and is mostly provided for postgraduate programs. Students who have enrolled in the university will be able to apply separately for these scholarships by using the application number they receive during admission. All the following scholarships are valid for 2 years. A few of these scholarships are-

2.Lund University Global Scholarships

This scholarship is entirely merit-based and is highly competitive and selective due to the high-qualifying candidates that apply year after year. Students who apply for this scholarship must have high grades in their past years of study and the scholarship is provided only for candidates who are from non-EU/EEA countries. The scholarship covers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs as long as the program has at least 1 semester of study worth 30 credits.

The scholarship covers partial or the entirety of the tuition fee the candidate is required to pay during the duration of their study. Living costs are not covered as part of the scholarship and students are required to secure sources for the same before they apply for the scholarship.

3. Malmo University Scholarships

This scholarship is provided to students who have enrolled at Malmo University for a master’s program. It is essential that the program they have enrolled for is taught entirely in English. The students who are applying ought to be nationals from countries that are not part of the EU/EEA, and they also ought not to be from Switzerland. The selection committee for this scholarship will scrutinize the candidate’s previous academic records along with the CV they have submitted during admission. The scholarship is provided for the first year of their master’s study after which they will require 22.5 credits per semester if they are to receive funding for the second year of study.

The scholarship covers part of or the entirety of the tuition fee the candidate must pay. It does not include living expenses that the candidate will have during their stay.

4. Stockholm University Scholarships

This university provides scholarships on a merit basis for students who have enrolled in a master’s program. Students who are non-EU/EEA nationals and not from Switzerland will be able to apply for the scholarship. The selection criterion focuses on the previous academic merit the candidate has while applying for the program. Students who are eligible for the scholarship program will be mailed personally by the university upon which they will be able to apply for the same.

This scholarship covers the entire tuition fee of the program the candidate has applied for. It does not cover the living expenses of the candidate during their stay in the country.

5. Uppsala Universal Global Scholarships

The scholarship offered by Uppsala University is also targeted at students who are pursuing a master’s program in the university. Students who are nationals of countries outside EU/EEA and Switzerland will be able to apply for the scholarship and they will be awarded the same based on their academic profile.

It covers the full tuition fee of the program the candidate has enrolled for, but it does not include the living expenses they will incur during their stay.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

This program is extended to students from non-EU countries. It helps students from outside of Europe gain access to high-quality education within Europe through its select education programs and partnerships. Over 10 Swedish universities over more than 30 programs through Erasmus where students will receive scholarships that cover the entirety of their study in the country.

Benefits of Erasmus Mundus Scholarships

Students who are selected for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarships will be able to cover the entirety of their education as part of this program. Since it is a merit-based scholarship, it focuses on postgraduate and research programs only. The benefits include-

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