Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The Swedish Institute (SI) administers two competitive scholarship programmes for international students pursuing master’s degrees at Swedish universities: the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals and the SI Scholarship for Pioneering Women in STEM. These awards are fully funded, covering both tuition fees and living expenses. The scholarships target citizens of specific eligible countries who demonstrate professional experience and leadership potential.
For African applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, eligibility depends on citizenship. Currently, Zambia is on the eligible country list for the Global Professionals scholarship, while Zimbabwe is not. Applicants should verify their country’s status before applying.
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What the Scholarship Covers
The Swedish Institute Scholarships provide comprehensive financial support:
- Full tuition fees paid directly to the university
- Living expenses for the duration of the master’s programme
The scholarship does not include insurance coverage. Recipients must arrange their own health and travel insurance through their host university.
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Eligible Master’s Programmes
Scholarships are only available for specific eligible master’s programmes. The list of qualifying programmes for 2027 will be published on 13 November 2026 on the respective programme pages. Applicants cannot receive an SI Scholarship for any master’s programme outside this designated list.
Most programmes are applied for through the central University Admissions portal. However, Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) and Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design have separate application processes.
Eligibility Requirements
Citizenship and Residency
- Must hold citizenship in one of the eligible countries listed by SI
- Current country of residence does not affect eligibility
- Dual citizens with one eligible and one ineligible citizenship may apply using the eligible citizenship only
- Applicants whose dual citizenship includes a non-DAC list country are ineligible
Academic and Fee Status
- Must be liable to pay tuition fees to Swedish universities (generally non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens)
- Must apply for and be admitted to an eligible master’s programme by 1 April 2027
- Cannot already be enrolled in a master’s programme in Sweden
Work and Leadership Experience
All applicants must demonstrate documented work and leadership experience. Requirements vary by country:
- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine: Proof of work experience required; no minimum hours, but more experience is prioritised
- Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia: Minimum 3,000 hours of work experience accumulated from maximum three employers prior to 8 February 2027
Valid work experience includes full-time or part-time employment, freelancing, or entrepreneurship. Internships do not count.
Pioneering Women in STEM Specifics
This scholarship is open only to applicants legally recognised as women in official identification documents (passport or national ID). Non-binary applicants are not eligible under current rules.
Application Timeline and Deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Eligible programmes list published | 13 November 2026 |
| University Admissions application period | 16 October 2025 – 15 January 2026 |
| SI Scholarship application period | 8–24 February 2027 |
| Application portal closes | 14:59 CET, 24 February 2027 |
| University admission results | By 1 April 2027 |
Late applications are not accepted. Applicants must first apply for master’s programmes through University Admissions before applying for the SI Scholarship.
Required Documents
All documents must use mandatory SI templates available on programme pages. Previous years’ forms are invalid.
- CV: Maximum 3 pages using SI template; no annexes permitted
- Motivation letter: Using SI template
- Two letters of reference: At least one based on work experience; second may be academic or from civil society involvement
- Proof of Work and Leadership Experience: Signed and stamped by employer; up to 3 work forms and 2 leadership forms merged into one PDF (maximum 5 pages)
Reference letters in other languages must be translated by a notarised translator with official stamp. Original and translation submitted as one PDF.
Application Process
- Apply for master’s programmes through University Admissions (universityadmissions.se) between 16 October 2025 and 15 January 2026. Pay the required application fee to University Admissions.
- Obtain your application number from University Admissions (7-8 digits). For SSE or Konstfack applicants, use 00000000.
- Wait for admission results. You must be admitted to an eligible programme by 1 April 2027 to be considered for the scholarship.
- Apply for SI Scholarship during 8–24 February 2027 through the SI online application portal. Submit all required documents using mandatory templates.
- Ensure referees are available until at least 22 April 2027 to respond to SI verification requests.
Selection Process
The selection committee prioritises applicants with:
- Strong professional backgrounds in relevant fields
- Documented leadership experience from employment
- Clear motivation and potential to contribute to development in their home countries
Competition is high. SI recommends applying for other scholarships simultaneously, including from home governments, local organisations, and Swedish universities.
Important Notes for African Applicants
- Zambia is currently eligible for the Global Professionals scholarship; Zimbabwe is not
- Country eligibility is determined by Swedish government strategy and may change
- Current scholarship holders are not affected by country eligibility changes
- Applicants from eligible African countries need 3,000 hours of documented work experience
Contact and Support
The Swedish Institute and University Admissions are separate agencies. Contact University Admissions directly for questions about:
- Application fees and payment
- Admission decisions and timelines
- Required documents for university applications
- English proficiency and GPA requirements
For SI Scholarship-specific questions, use the contact form on the SI website after reading all FAQs and instructions.
Official scholarship page: https://si.se/en/apply/faq-scholarships-on-masters-level/
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
