List of University Scholarships in Sweden for 2027 Admissions Cycle (BS, MS, PhD)
Want to earn a degree in Sweden without taking on a tuition bill you cannot manage? It may be possible—but “free study” can mean two very different things: a tuition waiver, or scholarship funding that also helps pay your living costs. Before you fall for a scholarship title, find out which of those outcomes you need and which Swedish scholarship awards can realistically deliver it.
For autumn 2027, Sweden’s international admissions round is open. You apply for a degree place through the national admissions system, then pursue scholarships through the Swedish Institute or individual universities. Those are connected applications, but they are separate decisions: admission does not guarantee funding, and funding rules may restrict which programmes, nationalities or fee-paying students can apply.
Start with the question that could save you time and money: can you meet the entry requirements for a suitable programme, and would its scholarship leave you with a manageable bill? This guide takes you through that decision, the Swedish universities and subjects to explore, the language evidence you may need, and the steps from course search to scholarship submission.
Build your Sweden plan in the order that matters
01Two applications shape your plan: admission and scholarship
The first international admissions round for autumn 2027 opened on 16 October 2026. It is the main route for international students applying to English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes, with time after the decision to arrange tuition, housing and a residence permit if needed.
Your degree application goes through the national admissions system. Scholarship applications are a second track: the Swedish Institute (SI) selects applicants for its own limited schemes, while universities award their own scholarships. A university can admit you without funding, and a scholarship provider can select only a portion of otherwise eligible applicants.
So begin with a programme you can enter, then match its tuition and your fee status to an award. If you need tuition covered, a university waiver may solve the largest cost. If you also need help with rent and everyday expenses, prioritize awards that include living support or arrange another acceptable source of funds.
02Before you chase a scholarship, work out the funding gap
For students who must pay tuition, Sweden’s official study guide estimates an average of about SEK 160,000 a year, with programme fees commonly ranging from SEK 80,000 to SEK 320,000. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens are generally exempt from application and tuition fees; some other residence statuses also qualify for exemptions. Your citizenship and qualifying residence status—not simply where you live—can decide whether you pay.
For a residence-permit application made in 2026, the published living-cost benchmark is SEK 10,656 per month, or SEK 127,872 for 12 months. Sweden may update that figure for 2027 applicants. Add tuition, housing deposits, travel, insurance where required, books and the application fee to see what you would actually need.
| Cost to plan for | Current guide figure | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Average SEK 160,000/year; range SEK 80,000–320,000 | Use the exact price on your chosen programme page. |
| Living-cost maintenance | SEK 10,656/month for 2026 permit applications | This is an immigration proof benchmark, not a guarantee of comfortable spending in every city. |
| Illustrative year total | About SEK 287,872 (average tuition + 12 months’ maintenance) | Before travel, permits, insurance, books and other costs; tuition-free students still need living funds. |
| Admissions application fee | SEK 900 per semester application, when payable | Generally one fee for the application round, not each programme you rank. |
Here is the practical test: subtract the scholarship from the full-year cost, then ask whether you can cover the balance without relying on a job you have not found yet. My recommendation is to shortlist awards by the costs they leave you with, not by the words “full” or “merit” in the award title.
03Find your subject fit among Sweden’s 39 institutions
Use this map to find promising places to search—not to assume every listed subject is available in English or open in autumn 2027. Sweden offers bachelor’s and master’s study across these institutions; doctoral study is available in authorised fields, but PhD applicants usually apply for a specific research vacancy, often a salaried position. Exact course names, degree level, language and prerequisites belong to the live catalogue.
| University or university college | Fields to search first |
|---|---|
| Blekinge Institute of Technology | Engineering, software, computer science, spatial planning |
| Chalmers University of Technology | Engineering, architecture, computing, energy, materials |
| Dalarna University | Engineering, data science, business, tourism, public health |
| Halmstad University | IT, engineering, business, health, innovation |
| Johannelund School of Theology | Theology, biblical studies, religious studies |
| Jönköping University | Business, entrepreneurship, engineering, health, education |
| Karlstad University | Business, engineering, environment, health, education, media |
| Karolinska Institutet | Medicine, biomedicine, global/public health, epidemiology |
| Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts and Design | Fine art, crafts, design, visual communication |
| Kristianstad University | Health, nursing, education, business, food/environment |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | Engineering, architecture, computing, AI, energy, sciences |
| Linköping University | Engineering, IT, medicine, business, education, design |
| Linnaeus University | Business, computer science, design, health, ecology, humanities |
| Luleå University of Technology | Engineering, mining, space, energy, computing, health |
| Lund University | Engineering, sciences, medicine, law, economics, humanities, arts |
| Mälardalen University | Engineering, robotics, AI, business, health, energy |
| Malmö University | Health, education, social sciences, migration, urban studies, tech |
| Marie Cederschiöld University | Social work, care, health, civil society, theology |
| Mid Sweden University | Media, tourism, business, engineering, IT, health, sport |
| The Newman Institute | Theology, philosophy, history, humanities |
| Örebro University | Medicine, health, business, science, law, humanities, music |
| Royal College of Music | Performance, composition, conducting, music education |
| Royal Institute of Art | Fine arts, architecture, conservation, artistic research |
| Södertörn University | Social sciences, politics, media, history, environment, humanities |
| Sophiahemmet University | Nursing, specialist nursing, health sciences, care research |
| Stockholm School of Economics | Economics, finance, management, analytics, marketing |
| Stockholm University | Humanities, law, sciences, social sciences, business, languages |
| Stockholm University of the Arts | Film, theatre, acting, dance, circus, opera, performing arts |
| Swedish Defence University | Security, defence, war studies, crisis management, leadership |
| Swedish Red Cross University | Nursing, global/public health, humanitarian health |
| Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences | Sport science, physical education, coaching, health promotion |
| Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Agriculture, forestry, veterinary science, food systems, ecology |
| Umeå University | Medicine, sciences, design, arts, business, IT, education |
| University of Borås | Textiles, fashion, business, library science, health, engineering |
| University College Stockholm | Theology, human rights, social sciences, education |
| University of Gävle | Engineering, built environment, energy, business, health |
| University of Gothenburg | Medicine, sciences, business, humanities, education, arts |
| University of Skövde | Informatics, game development, engineering, bioscience, health |
| University West | Engineering, IT, health, education, work-integrated learning |
If your goal is English-medium study, start with the programme search rather than assuming a whole university teaches in English. At bachelor’s level, English-taught options are fewer; most English-language scholarship routes are master’s degrees. A master’s normally requires a relevant recognised bachelor’s degree and any course-specific credits. Art and music programmes may ask for a portfolio or audition.
04Choose a language route before you pay for a test
The programme—not the university—sets the teaching language. For most English-taught courses, the standard requirement is English 6 / English Level 2. Some programmes require English 5; others ask for English 7, so use the level listed for your exact course before booking an exam. A general letter saying your earlier education was in English does not automatically meet the requirement.
| Test | English 6 / Level 2 | English 7 / Level 3 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall; no section below 5.5 | 7.0 overall; no section below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026) | 4.5 total; no section below 4.0 | 5.0 total; no section below 4.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (through 20 Jan 2026) | 90 total, including 20 writing | 100 total, including 20 writing |
| PTE Academic | 62 overall; writing 61 | 68 overall; writing 61 |
| Cambridge English | C1 Advanced, minimum 180 | C2 Proficiency, minimum 200 |
For Swedish-taught programmes, you normally need Swedish 3 / Swedish as a Second Language 3 or an accepted equivalent; passing TISUS is one route. English tests do not replace Swedish requirements. I would check your exact requirement first, then book only the test that meets it.
05Pick a scholarship that matches your passport, degree and budget
Most Swedish university scholarships are tuition discounts or waivers; they do not pay rent or food. SI scholarships can be more comprehensive, but only applicants from eligible countries applying to eligible autumn master’s programmes can compete. The award that looks biggest is not necessarily the one you can use.
| Funding route | What it can offer | Check before you invest time |
|---|---|---|
| Swedish Institute: Global Professionals / Pioneering Women in STEM | Selected calls combine tuition, monthly living support and travel assistance. | Eligible citizenships, work/leadership criteria and programme lists are limited; bachelor’s and spring starts are not covered by the Global Professionals route. |
| KTH Scholarship | Full tuition for selected eligible master’s applicants. | No living allowance; KTH generally needs to be your first choice. |
| Chalmers scholarships | Tuition awards including Avancez and IPOET routes. | Separate scholarship form; eligible programme and fee-paying status matter. |
| Lund University Global Scholarship | Partial or full tuition awards. | No living allowance; programme choice/ranking rules apply. |
| Uppsala University scholarships | Selected awards cover full tuition. | No living support on the Global Scholarship; eligible programme must normally be first choice. |
| Umeå University | Full or partial tuition waivers. | Selected fee-paying students register interest; ranking matters. |
| University of Borås | About 75% of tuition for selected master’s programmes. | No living costs; limited programme list. |
| Dalarna University | SEK 5,000 first-semester tuition reduction for qualifying master’s students. | A modest discount, not a living stipend; first-choice condition matters. |
| Jönköping University | 10%–30% tuition awards on eligible programmes. | Separate application; available at bachelor’s and master’s levels. |
| Kristianstad University | Usually 50%–100% tuition support. | No living allowance; eligibility restrictions apply. |
The last published SI Global Professionals terms offered full tuition, SEK 12,000 a month and a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000 (SEK 10,000 for specified countries). Those figures describe the previous published call, not a guaranteed 2027/28 package; SI says it will publish the next round’s information on 19 October 2026.
If you need both tuition and living costs, begin by checking SI eligibility. If you are outside its eligible-country list—or your degree is not eligible—compare university awards and calculate the remaining balance. A strong essay cannot make an ineligible programme eligible, so confirm the match before writing one.
06Your application sequence: get the programme right, then pursue the funding
For bachelor’s and master’s study, use this order so your scholarship form is tied to a real, correctly ranked programme application. You can rank up to eight bachelor’s choices or four master’s choices in the first round.
- Search autumn 2027 programmes. Filter by subject, degree level and teaching language. Note the course code, tuition, academic prerequisites and any portfolio, audition or subject-credit requirement.
- Check your fee status and funding eligibility. Compare citizenship, fee status, degree level and programme against each scholarship’s rules. Some awards require the university or programme to rank first.
- Prepare your documents by the education system that issued them. Follow the relevant country instructions for transcripts, degree certificates, translations and English evidence. Add only the CV, references, portfolio or motivation statement the programme or scholarship requests.
- Submit the national admissions application. Create an account, rank your selections carefully, upload documents and pay the application fee if required. Keep the application number.
- Submit the scholarship form separately when required. UniversityAdmissions.se does not enter you in every scholarship competition. Follow the university’s own process or SI’s separate call; save the submission confirmation.
- Make your application specific. Link your past study, work, projects or leadership to the programme and the award’s selection criteria. My recommendation is to use concrete evidence—results, responsibilities and impact—instead of broad claims about being passionate.
- Track admission and funding as separate decisions. Watch both portals and your email for document requests and results. If admitted, arrange tuition payment where applicable, residence documents and a realistic living budget.
Start with these official pages; the first two take you to the course search and the rules that decide your application. The remaining links lead to funding and residence guidance.
- UniversityAdmissions.se: application account and programme search
- Search Swedish courses and programmes
- Directory of Swedish universities and university colleges
- English test and exemption rules; Swedish-language requirements and TISUS.
- Country-specific document instructions
- University Admissions guide to scholarships; Swedish Institute scholarships
- KTH; Chalmers; Lund; Uppsala
- Umeå; Borås; Dalarna; Jönköping; Kristianstad
- Migration Agency: residence permits, funds and student work
07Can you work part-time while studying?
Yes, but for bachelor’s and master’s students whose residence permit was granted on or after 11 June 2026, the general limit is 15 hours a week during term. Work that is part of your education, certain roles at your university, and work in June, July or August can fall under exceptions. Earlier permits may follow the previous rules.
Do not build your tuition or permit budget around a job you have not secured. Work is not guaranteed, and the Migration Agency requires evidence of funds; a job offer alone is not enough to prove employment income. Treat a part-time job as supplementary income after you have arranged the funding needed to start your studies.
08Four questions that can change your shortlist
You now have the key pieces: programme, language, cost and award. Before you spend time on forms, use these answers to rule out the most common mismatches.
Does a UniversityAdmissions application automatically enter me for scholarships?
Usually, no. The admissions portal handles your degree application; SI and universities set separate scholarship processes, which may require another form, an invitation or an expression of interest.
Can every international student apply for an SI scholarship?
No. SI eligibility is limited by nationality, programme and degree/intake conditions in the annual call. Check those rules before ranking courses or drafting the scholarship application.
Does IELTS 6.5 meet the English requirement for every course?
No. It is a common English 6 threshold, but some programmes require English 7, and you must still meet academic prerequisites. Match your score to the exact course requirement.
Will a full tuition waiver cover rent and food too?
Usually not. Most university awards are tuition-only; some SI awards include living support. Read the award’s coverage and plan for the amount left uncovered.
09Deadlines—and the next move to make today
The admissions calendar gives you the outer frame; each scholarship has its own clock. Dates below are for autumn 2027 and were checked on 16 October 2026. Where a university has not published final details, treat the timing as expected rather than confirmed.
- 16 October 2026: First international admissions round opens.
- 19 October 2026: SI says it will publish information for its 2027/28 scholarship round.
- 1 December 2026–15 January 2027: KTH Scholarship application period.
- Late November 2026 to mid-January 2027: Chalmers expects its master’s scholarship application window; details are being updated.
- 15 January 2027: National programme application and ranking deadline for the first autumn round.
- 1 February 2027: Application fee, fee-exemption evidence and supporting-document deadline.
- Early February 2027: Lund usually opens its separate Global Scholarship form; Uppsala expects its next scholarship round early in 2027.
- 5 March 2027: Umeå scholarship interest-registration deadline shown for the 2027 round.
- 1 April 2027: Master’s admission results. 8 April 2027: Bachelor’s admission results.
- 2 May 2027: Jönköping University scholarship deadline.
- 1 December 2026: Borås scholarship application opens. Dalarna expects its autumn scholarship form in January 2027; Kristianstad had not announced its autumn 2027 window when checked.
- August/September 2027: Autumn semester begins; check your programme for its exact start date.
Your next move is simple: choose one degree level and two or three subject areas, find matching autumn programmes, then compare their scholarship rules against your passport and budget. If the funding covers only tuition, decide now how you will meet living costs. That is the point where a hopeful plan becomes an application you can actually afford to accept.
