Study in Sweden Scholarships and Grants is not one scholarship. It is a directory run through studyinsweden.se that collects funding options for international students who want to do a bachelor's or master's degree in Sweden. You go there to see what exists, then you apply to each award separately. If you treat it as a single application form, you will miss deadlines. If you treat it as a map, it is genuinely useful.
This guide explains how the portal works, how the admission side and the funding side fit together, and where Pakistani applicants usually trip up. For the summary card, see the full scholarship details.
A directory, not a single award
The official portal sorts funding into three broad groups:
- Swedish Institute scholarships
- Scholarships offered by individual Swedish universities
- Other external opportunities
The external options named in the directory include the Educations.com Study a Master's in Europe scholarship, Rotary International district and global grants, and UNESCO Fellowships. Each of these has its own rules. The portal is the starting point, and the real eligibility conditions live on each scholarship's own listing.
This matters because the headline label "Full / Partial" funding covers everything in the directory. Some awards may pay a lot, others much less. The source makes no promise about a fixed amount, and neither should you when you plan your budget.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Full or partial, depending on the specific scholarship |
| Study level | Bachelor's and master's |
| Country | Sweden |
| Admission deadlines | Mid-January for autumn semester programmes, mid-August for spring semester programmes |
| Opening date | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Application fee | SEK 900 (one-time, paid to Universityadmissions.se) |
| Provider | Swedish Institute and partner organizations |
| Official site | Study in Sweden scholarships portal |
What the money depends on
Funding amounts vary by scholarship type. A Swedish Institute award, a university scholarship, an Educations.com grant, a Rotary grant and a UNESCO Fellowship are all different products with different values. The portal does not publish one standard package.
So here is the practical takeaway. Before you count on any money, open the specific scholarship listing and read what it pays for. Some cover tuition, some may cover living costs, some may be a smaller contribution. Do not assume. If a scholarship is partial, you will still need to show you can pay the rest, and that is where many students get stuck at the visa stage. Our guide to bank statements and proof of funds is worth reading early if you think you may end up with partial funding.
Admission comes first, funding second
The single most useful thing to understand about Sweden is the order of operations. You apply for your degree programme through Universityadmissions.se, the central platform. Scholarships are a separate track. In most cases you need to be in the admission process before a scholarship will even consider you.
Sweden has over 1,000 English-taught programmes across 39 universities, so the first job is choosing well. The central system lets you apply for up to four master's programmes or up to eight bachelor's programmes in one application cycle, and you pay a single fee of SEK 900 whether you pick one programme or the maximum.
That fee rule is the reason I tell students not to apply for just one programme. You pay the same SEK 900 either way. Using all your slots, with a mix of competitive and safer choices, costs nothing extra.
Entry requirements you must meet
The general requirements are simple to state:
- For bachelor's programmes, completed high school studies
- For master's programmes, a completed bachelor's degree
- A sufficient level of English proficiency
- Any programme-specific requirements listed on the individual programme webpage
The last point is where most of the work is. Programme-specific requirements can include particular subjects or prior courses. The source does not list a single English score or test, so check the programme page for exactly what proof of English it accepts.
On nationality: the portal is aimed at international students, but it does not say that every scholarship in the directory is open to Pakistani citizens. Each award sets its own eligibility. Check the eligibility section of every individual scholarship for your nationality before you spend time on it.
Paperwork for the admission application
The documents for the admission side fall into three groups:
- Documentation proving you meet the general entry requirements for bachelor's or master's study (school or university certificates and transcripts)
- Proof of English proficiency
- Documentation showing you meet the programme-specific entry requirements
Individual scholarships may ask for more, such as essays or references. That depends on the award. For Pakistani documents, give yourself time for attestation. The IBCC and MOFA attestation guide walks through that process.
The application sequence
- Find a bachelor's or master's programme through the Swedish university database.
- Check the general and programme-specific entry requirements and the documents each programme needs.
- Submit an online application on Universityadmissions.se, choosing up to four master's or up to eight bachelor's programmes.
- Pay the one-time SEK 900 application fee to Universityadmissions.se.
- Browse the scholarships offered by universities, private companies or external bodies, and apply to the ones you qualify for.
- Wait for your admission results on Universityadmissions.se.
Steps 3 and 5 often overlap in time. Scholarship deadlines can be close to, or earlier than, the admission deadline, so read both calendars together.
Mid-January versus mid-August
There are two admission rounds. The autumn semester deadline is in mid-January, and it applies to most English-taught programmes. The spring semester deadline is in mid-August, and it applies only to select English-taught programmes that start in spring.
For most Pakistani students, the autumn round is the realistic target because that is where most programmes sit. The spring round is narrower. If your preferred programme only starts in autumn, a mid-August plan will not help you.
The exact dates and the opening date vary by cycle. Confirm them on the official portal each year rather than relying on last year's calendar. Individual scholarships also have their own deadlines, which may not match the admission dates.
Where applicants go wrong
The most common mistake is thinking the portal itself awards money. It does not. It lists options. You still have to find each scholarship, read its rules and apply on its own terms.
The second mistake is starting late. The source advises starting early to gather documents and meet strict deadlines, and with a mid-January deadline that means your work should be well underway in the autumn before. Transcripts, degree certificates, English test results and attestation all take time in Pakistan.
Third, students skip the programme page. General requirements get you in the door, but programme-specific requirements decide whether your application is even assessed. If something is unclear, contact the university directly through its website. That is the advice in the official guidance too.
Fourth, applying for only one programme. The fee is the same for one or the maximum, so use your choices.
Who does this suit? Students who are organised, comfortable researching several funding sources, and ready to apply for admission whether or not they win a scholarship. Who should think twice? Anyone who can only go with a guaranteed full scholarship, because nothing in the directory is guaranteed and many options may be partial.
If you are comparing countries, see all Sweden scholarships in one place.
Frequently asked questions
What types of scholarships can I find through Study in Sweden?
Swedish Institute scholarships, university-specific scholarships, and external grants such as the Educations.com Study a Master's in Europe scholarship, Rotary International district and global grants, and UNESCO Fellowships.
How many programmes can I apply for at once?
Up to four master's programmes or up to eight bachelor's programmes in a single application on Universityadmissions.se.
How much is the application fee?
SEK 900. It is a one-time fee and covers your application regardless of how many programmes you choose.
Are these scholarships open to Pakistani students?
The portal is for international students, but each scholarship sets its own eligibility. Check every individual listing for your nationality before applying.
Is the funding full or partial?
It can be either. Amounts vary by scholarship type, so read each award's listing to see exactly what it pays.
Can I study at bachelor's and master's level?
Yes. The directory covers both levels, across more than 1,000 programmes at 39 universities.
Check the current cycle on the Study in Sweden scholarships portal, and keep the full scholarship page handy for the key facts.