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Meta title: Scholarships in Sweden for International Students 2027
Meta description: Scholarships in Sweden: SI (34 countries, not Russia or Kazakhstan), KTH, Lund, Uppsala, Chalmers, Gothenburg, KI – coverage, 2027 deadlines, odds.
Last modified: 2026-09-30

# Scholarships in Sweden for International Students: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

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Sweden offers two main kinds of scholarships to international students. The Swedish Institute's SI Scholarship for Global Professionals covers full master's tuition, pays $1,200 (SEK 12,000) a month for living costs and adds a travel grant, but only citizens of 34 countries can apply: Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Uzbekistan and Ukraine are on the list, while Russia and Kazakhstan are not. University scholarships at KTH, Lund, Uppsala, Chalmers, Gothenburg, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University are open to every fee-paying student, Russian citizens included, but usually cover tuition only. Competition is intense: 12,922 people applied for SI scholarships for 2026/27, and 232 received one.

Below: a comparison of the main scholarships, the 2027 application calendar, requirements, and what a scholarship does not pay for.

| Scholarship | Who can apply | What it covers | When to apply (autumn 2027 intake) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | citizens of 34 countries; master's; work and leadership experience | full tuition, $1,200 (SEK 12,000) a month, travel grant of $1,000–1,500 (SEK 10,000–15,000) | the 2026 portal was open 9–25 February; SI publishes the 2027 dates on its page |
| SI Pioneering Women in STEM | women from 10 countries in Africa and Asia | as Global Professionals | same period as the main SI scholarship |
| KTH Scholarship | all fee-paying KTH master's applicants | full tuition for 1–2 years | 1 December 2026 – 15 January 2027 |
| Lund University Global Scholarship | non-EU citizens; master's and four bachelor's programmes | part or all of tuition | usually opens early February; the 2026 deadline was 16 February |
| Uppsala University Global Scholarship | non-EU citizens; master's | full tuition | 16 January – 2 February in 2026; next round early 2027 |
| Chalmers (Avancez, IPOET, Adlerbert and others) | fee-paying master's applicants | varies by scholarship | late November 2026 to mid-January 2027 |
| Axel Adler Scholarship (Gothenburg) | fee-paying bachelor's and master's applicants | full tuition | invitation by email around 10 February; 2027 rules published in October 2026 |
| KI Global Master's Scholarship | Karolinska Institutet master's applicants | full tuition | 8–24 February 2027 |
| Stockholm University scholarship | non-EU citizens; master's | full tuition | form sent after admission results are published |

The Aula Magna auditorium at Stockholm University. Photo: Vysotsky / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aula_Magna_Stockholm.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## The SI scholarship: citizenship comes first {#section-1}

The Swedish Institute is a government agency, and its scholarships follow a country list. For 2026/27, the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals was open to citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. You do not have to live in that country when applying.

What it provides:

- full master's tuition, paid by SI to the university each semester;
- $1,200 (SEK 12,000) a month for living costs throughout the programme;
- a one-off travel grant of $1,500 (SEK 15,000), or $1,000 (SEK 10,000) for citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine;
- membership of the SI Network for Global Professionals.

It does not include insurance, support for family members, the universityadmissions.se application fee, changes of programme or extensions.

Work experience rules depend on the country. Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine must prove work experience with no minimum hours (more experience ranks higher). Everyone else, including Uzbek citizens, needs at least 3,000 hours before February of the application year, from no more than three employers. All applicants also need leadership experience from work or civil society.

You cannot apply if you are enrolled at or hold a degree from a Swedish university, have lived in Sweden for two years or more in total, have held an SI scholarship before, or hold EU citizenship (with an exception for Moldovans with Romanian passports).

SI's second programme, Pioneering Women in STEM, is for women from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam applying to STEM master's programmes. The Visby Programme mentioned in older articles is not in SI's current scholarship list.

## How the SI application works {#section-2}

This is how the 2026 cycle ran; SI usually keeps the structure:

1. By 15 January, apply for master's programmes on universityadmissions.se, choosing programmes from SI's eligible list (published in mid-November), and pay the fee on time.
2. In a two-week window in February, submit the scholarship application: a CV on SI's template (maximum three pages), a work and leadership form signed and stamped, two reference letters on SI's template from different referees, a passport copy and a motivation in the portal. Some applicants are asked for a short video.
3. On admission results day (26 March in 2026), you must be admitted or conditionally admitted to an eligible programme. Reserve places do not count.
4. SI announces recipients at the end of April (23 April in 2026) and notifies only those selected.

One scholarship application can cover up to four eligible programmes. If you decline or change your admission offer, the application drops out.

## University scholarships: what to know {#section-3}

Any fee-paying non-EU applicant can apply, including Russian and Kazakh citizens. They share several features:

- Tuition, not living costs. Even with a 100% award, the Migration Agency still requires living funds of $1,070 (SEK 10,656) a month at the 2026 rate. Lund explicitly asks applicants who cannot cover that amount not to apply.
- First choice required. KTH, Lund, Uppsala, Gothenburg and Karolinska Institutet consider only applicants who ranked their programme first on universityadmissions.se; Stockholm University gives such applicants priority.
- Documents by the main deadline. KTH assesses scholarship applicants on the documents uploaded to universityadmissions.se by 1 February.
- Partial awards happen. At Lund, the percentage depends on the faculty's budget, not on how you rank among candidates.
- You must keep it. KTH funds the second year if first-year results are satisfactory; Gothenburg requires at least 75% of each semester's credits.
- No stacking. Gothenburg does not allow Axel Adler to be combined with another tuition scholarship.

The odds, as the universities report them: at KTH 9% of scholarship applicants admitted to a programme were nominated in 2026 (65 of 718); at Uppsala about 2% of applicants succeed; Karolinska Institutet made 12 awards from 1,002 applications; Gothenburg usually awards one Axel Adler per programme.

## Calendar for the autumn 2027 intake {#section-4}

| When | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| October–November 2026 | shortlist programmes, check which are eligible for scholarships, decide your ranking |
| From 16 October 2026 | open your application on universityadmissions.se |
| Late November – mid-January | Chalmers scholarships |
| 1 December 2026 – 15 January 2027 | KTH Scholarship |
| 15 January 2027 | programme application deadline, which every scholarship depends on |
| 1 February 2027 | fee and documents |
| January–February 2027 | Uppsala, Lund, Gothenburg, Karolinska Institutet and SI, each in its own window |
| 1 April 2027 | master's results; Stockholm University sends its scholarship form |
| April 2027 | decisions on most scholarships |

There are no Swedish scholarships for a spring start: University Admissions states that SI and university scholarships are for applicants starting in autumn.

## Scholarships and the residence permit {#section-5}

A scholarship counts as proof of funds if the letter states the provider, that you are the recipient, the period and that it is for studies in Sweden, the amount and payment dates, and how much is for living costs; otherwise the Migration Agency asks for a certificate from the provider. Holders of SI, Sida, EU or Uppsala International Science Programme scholarships that include living costs are exempt from the $150 (SEK 1,500) permit fee. A university scholarship covering tuition only does not exempt you. See the [Swedish residence permit for studies](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-sweden-student-residence-permit).

## If you do not get one {#section-6}

Most applicants do not, so you need a funding plan before applying. Options: a cheaper or one-year programme, a less expensive city, reapplying the following year (SI and universities allow it), and third-party funds in Study in Sweden's scholarship database, checking each one's citizenship rules. Doctoral studies carry no tuition at all; at the Stockholm School of Economics, for example, every PhD student receives $2,610 (SEK 26,000) a month.

For real programme costs, see the [cost of studying in Sweden](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-sweden); for other countries, [scholarships abroad](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## Mistakes to avoid {#section-7}

- Applying to SI with a citizenship that is not on the list; the application is screened out.
- Ranking the programme whose scholarship you want second or third.
- Using your own CV or letter format for SI instead of its templates, or missing a signature or stamp.
- Missing a scholarship's own deadline in the belief that the programme application is enough.
- Expecting a university scholarship to cover living costs.
- Declining your offer before SI decides: any change to admission results removes you from the competition.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Can Russian citizens get a scholarship in Sweden?

Not the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals: Russia is not among the 34 eligible countries for 2026/27. University scholarships at KTH, Lund, Uppsala, Chalmers, Gothenburg, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University are open to fee-paying students of any non-EU citizenship, Russian included. They cover tuition.

### Which Swedish scholarship covers both tuition and living costs?

Among the major ones, only the Swedish Institute's Global Professionals and Pioneering Women in STEM scholarships. They pay full tuition and $1,200 (SEK 12,000) a month. University scholarships usually stop at tuition, leaving housing and food to the student.

### When do I apply for Swedish scholarships for 2027?

Alongside your programme application: programmes by 15 January 2027, KTH from 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027, Chalmers from late November to mid-January, Karolinska Institutet 8–24 February 2027. Uppsala, Lund, Gothenburg and SI open their windows in January and February.

### Are there scholarships for bachelor's studies in Sweden?

Fewer than for master's. Lund offers its Global Scholarship for four bachelor's programmes (Development Studies, Mathematics, Physics and Physical Geography), and Gothenburg its Axel Adler Scholarship for international bachelor's programmes. SI and KTH scholarships are for master's only.

### How competitive is the SI scholarship?

For 2026/27, 12,922 people applied for SI's two scholarships and 232 recipients from 33 countries were selected, about 1.8% of applicants. Selection weighs academic record, work and leadership experience, and how the programme links to your home country's development.

### Do I still need to show living funds if I have a scholarship?

If it covers tuition only, yes: the full rate of $1,070 (SEK 10,656) a month under 2026 rules. If it includes living costs, as SI's does, it counts towards the requirement, provided the letter shows the amounts, payment schedule and living-cost share.

## Sources {#section-9}

- [Swedish Institute: SI Scholarship for Global Professionals](https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/swedish-institute-scholarships-for-global-professionals/), [Pioneering Women in STEM](https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/pioneeringwomeninstem/), [scholarship list](https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/), [2026/27 recipients](https://si.se/en/232-international-students-receive-the-si-scholarships/); checked 30 Sept 2026
- [KTH Scholarship](https://www.kth.se/en/studies/master/admissions/scholarships/kth-scholarship-1.72827), [Lund University Global Scholarship](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/study/admission-degree-studies/scholarships-and-awards/lund-university-global-scholarship), [Uppsala University Master's scholarships](https://www.uu.se/en/study/masters-studies/scholarships/uppsala-university-scholarships); checked 30 Sept 2026
- [Chalmers: scholarships for fee-paying students](https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/application-and-admission/scholarships-for-fee-paying-students/), [University of Gothenburg: Axel Adler Scholarship](https://www.gu.se/en/study-in-gothenburg/apply/scholarships-for-fee-paying-students/axel-adler-scholarship), [Karolinska Institutet: KI Global Master's Scholarship](https://education.ki.se/bachelors-masters-studies/scholarships/the-ki-global-masters-scholarships-for-fee-paying-students), [Stockholm University: scholarships](https://www.su.se/english/education/how-to-apply/costs-fees-and-scholarships/scholarships); checked 30 Sept 2026
- [University Admissions: rounds and spring start](https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/key-dates-and-deadlines/admission-rounds-and-spring-semester-availability/), [autumn 2027 dates](https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/key-dates-and-deadlines/autumn-semester-dates/); checked 30 Sept 2026
- [Swedish Migration Agency: scholarships as funds, fee exemption](https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/study/higher-education.html); checked 30 Sept 2026
- [Study in Sweden: scholarship database](https://studyinsweden.se/scholarships/), [Stockholm School of Economics: PhD scholarship](https://www.hhs.se/en/education/study-at-sse/tuition-and-fees/); checked 30 Sept 2026
- USD figures follow the ECB rate of 29 Sept 2026: SEK 11.3210 and $1.1355 per euro, i.e. SEK 1 ≈ $0.1003. Rounding: nearest $1 under $100, nearest $10 otherwise.

Shortlisting scholarship-eligible programmes, checking conditions and preparing scholarship documents are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The Swedish Institute or the university decides on the scholarship, the university on admission, and the Swedish Migration Agency on the permit.

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Cost of Studying in Sweden: Tuition, Living Costs and a Full Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-sweden)
- [Swedish Residence Permit for Studies: Requirements, Funds and Steps for Russian and CIS Applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-sweden-student-residence-permit)
- [Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026)
- [Bachelor's Degrees in Sweden in English: Programmes, School Certificate Rules and Real Timelines](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-sweden)
- [Master's Degrees in Sweden in English: Requirements, Costs and How to Choose](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-sweden)
- [Applying to Swedish Universities: Process, Documents and 2027 Deadlines](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-swedish-universities)

Updated: September 2026