4 full scholarships in Sweden for international students

A Swedish education is unlike any other and if you’re looking for scholarships in Sweden for international students, you are just in luck. Apart from the Northern Lights and impressive mountain ranges, Sweden also offers students the best of both worlds – a quality education in world-class institutions at an affordable cost. 

Sweden is home to international students from around the world. Back in 2011, the Swedish government introduced tuition fees to international students. Despite this change, there was an estimate for the number of inbound students to hit a whopping 10,000 by 2023. 

What is it about Sweden that continues to attract so many students to its shores? A July 2022 report by consulting firm WSP found that 12% of fee-paying students in the year 2020-21 received a grant from Sweden that covered their entire tuition fee. Add “glittering waterways, blooming parks” and great nightlife, and you’re set for an adventure of a lifetime. 

Here are four full-ride scholarships in Sweden for international students: 

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals

Funded by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarships for Global Professionals is among the more popular scholarships in Sweden for international students. Not only does it offer full tuition fee coverage, but a monthly payment of 11,000 Swedish Kronas (US$1,037.26) will also be provided for your living expenses throughout the study period of your full-time master’s programme. 

This fully-funded scholarship is offered in various universities across Sweden. To be chosen, applicants are expected to have a clear idea of how their education can contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in both their home countries and regions. With over 700 master’s programmes delivered in English in Swedish universities, find out which eligible master’s programmes are offering this scholarship here. 

What’s more, there are a number of countries that are given high priority especially if applicants have work experience relevant to their respective fields. Click here to find out more.

Adlerbert Study Scholarships

The Adlerbert Study Scholarships is a university award offered to first-year master’s students by the Chalmers University of Technology. Awardees will be given a full tuition fee waiver that’s funded by the Adlerbert Foundations. The university offers a wide range of postgraduate courses under 13 departments, including Architecture and Civil Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Technology Management and Economics. 

The scholarship covers 100% of the tuition fees over your two-year master’s programme. However, only five scholarships will be awarded in 2023 to students who are citizens of one of these countries.

Find out more about Chalmers University of Technology. 

Lund University Global Scholarship 

Lund University Global Scholarship is a selective and merit-based scholarship in Sweden offered to high-achieving students from outside the EU/EEA. It is merit-based rather than needs-based, meaning the application process does not take into account your financial background.

It’s important to note that the scholarship percentage is dependent on the programme or faculty’s budget. It doesn’t guarantee full tuition fee waivers. Living costs are not covered under this scholarship so awardees must still be able to fund their living costs throughout their study duration in the country. Find out more about living costs in Sweden here. 

To be selected, applicants must show a strong desire to study at Lund University and have been chosen for the programme they picked as their first choice at the institution. 

Karlstad University Global Scholarship

The Karlstad University Global Scholarship covers a part of your tuition fees (25%, 50%, 75%) or in full. Living costs are not covered. Awardees will be notified of their scholarship amount when they’ve been selected. 

Do note that applicants from these 12 countries are not eligible to apply: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Instead, they should apply for the Swedish Institute Study Scholarship.

Planning to study in Sweden? Here are things you should know before you go.