How to Apply for the Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarship for Global Professionals
Looking for help in identifying scholarship opportunities: Get expert guidance today.
The Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarship for Global Professionals is one of the scholarship opportunities available to international students who wish to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in Sweden.
The SI Scholarship application process involves two separate application processes. First, you must apply for eligible master’s programmes at Swedish universities through University Admissions then later submit a separate application for the SI Scholarship when its application portal opens.
Swedish university admissions for the 2027/2028 academic year opened on 16 October 2026 and will close on 15 January 2027. However, before selecting your preferred courses, you will need to check the list of eligible master’s programmes under the SI Scholarship, which will be published on 13 November 2026.
After completing your university applications, you can proceed with the SI Scholarship application which opens on 8 February 2027 and closes on 24 February 2027 at 14:59 CET.
Below is a step-by-step guideline on how you can approach the application
Looking for help in identifying scholarship opportunities: Get expert guidance today.
1. Apply for Your Master’s Programmes Before 15 January 2027
This is the first and most important step in your SI Scholarship application. Before applying for the scholarship, you must first apply for eligible master’s programmes through the Swedish University Admissions portal.
To get started in the application process:
- Check the eligible master’s programme list and identify your preferred courses and the universities offering them.
- Visit the respective university websites to understand the admission requirements for each course and ensure that you qualify.
- Find out the application documents required by each university, such as a CV, motivation letter, personal statement, statement of purpose or academic transcripts.
- Prepare the required documents and the university application fee of SEK 900, where applicable.
- Submit your application through University Admissions Sweden before 15 January 2027.
You can apply for up to four master’s programmes but it’s not a must as some courses may appear once or twice in the eligible list.
How to Write a University Motivation Letter/ Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement
Some Swedish universities require applicants to submit a motivation letter/ personal statement or statement of purpose as part of their master’s application. The requirements differ depending on the university and the course you are applying for.
When preparing these documents:
- Answer the questions asked: Read the instructions carefully and ensure that your response addresses every part of the question.
- Use the STAR technique: This technique helps present your experience and achievements clearly, particularly when discussing a problem you identified and how you contributed to solving it.
The STAR technique includes:
- Situation: What was the problem or challenge you identified?
- Task: What did you set out to do to address the problem?
- Action: What specific steps did you take before, during and after carrying out the task?
- Result: What did your efforts achieve? Clearly demonstrate the outcomes by including measurable results.
Avoid simply describing your responsibilities or stating that you want to study a particular course. Instead, demonstrate how your previous experience has prepared you for the programme and how the knowledge and skills you intend to gain will contribute to your future career goals.
In the Swedish Institute Scholarship Package that I offer, you receive support in writing a good university essay that is well-structured and aligned with the specific course requirements.
Click here to get more details on the Swedish Institute Scholarship package.
2. Prepare for the SI Scholarship Application
Once you have submitted your university applications, the next step is to prepare for the SI Scholarship application.
The SI Scholarship application portal for the 2027/2028 academic year is scheduled to open on 8 February 2027 and close on 24 February 2027 at 14:59 CET.
Unlike the university application, which is submitted through University Admissions, the scholarship application is submitted separately through the Swedish Institute’s application portal.
There are several documents you will need to prepare for this application. Below is a breakdown of what you need to know about each document.
1. SI CV Template
The CV required during the SI Scholarship application is different in structure from the normal CVs.
The Swedish Institute provides a specific CV template that applicants must download and complete. You will need to provide information about your professional experience, responsibilities, achievements and leadership experience.
When completing the template, avoid simply listing your job responsibilities. Instead, quantify your contributions so as to clearly demonstrate your impact in your different positions.
In the Swedish Institute Scholarship Package, you receive support with writing and completing the SI CV template to ensure that your experience and achievements are presented effectively and aligned with the scholarship requirements.
Click here to view more details about the Swedish Institute Scholarship Package.
2. Proof of Work and Leadership Experience
Your work and leadership experience are important parts of the SI Scholarship application. You will be required to demonstrate that you have the relevant work experience and leadership background required by the scholarship.
For work experience, you should show the roles you have held, the organisations you have worked with, your responsibilities and the contributions you have made. It is important to go beyond simply listing your job titles and explain what you have achieved in each role. Where possible, include figures to demonstrate the impact of your work, such as the number of people you have supervised, projects you have managed or communities you have reached.
For leadership experience, you need to demonstrate how you have contributed to positive change within your workplace or community through projects you have led or initiatives you have introduced.
In my Proof of Work and Leadership Experience video, I use practical examples to provide step-by-step guidance on how to present your most relevant work and leadership experience while aligning it with the requirements of the SI Scholarship.
Click here to watch the Proof of Work and Leadership Experience video.
3. Letters of Reference
Letters of reference are another important part of your SI Scholarship application. You will be required to provide two reference letters using the official SI reference templates.
When selecting your referees, identify people who have worked closely with you and can provide meaningful information about your professional experience, leadership abilities and contributions.
Your referees should not simply describe you as hardworking, committed or responsible. They should provide specific examples demonstrating your skills, achievements, ability to solve challenges within your workspace
For example, a referee could explain how you took the initiative to address a challenge within your organization, coordinated a team to implement a project or introduced an approach that improved service delivery.
In my Letter of Reference video, I provide step-by-step guidance on how to guide your referees in presenting your skills, professional contributions and accomplishments so that they can write strong and relevant reference letters for your SI Scholarship application.
Click here to watch the Letter of Reference video and get a free essay review.
4. Letter of Motivation
The letter of motivation is an important part of your SI Scholarship application because it gives you an opportunity to explain why you deserve the scholarship and how your master’s studies will contribute to positive change in your home country.
In the SI Scholarship Package, you receive support in drafting a well-aligned motivation letter that clearly presents your experience, leadership potential, career goals and commitment to contributing to sustainable development in your home country.
Click here to get more details about the SI Scholarship Package.
Note: SI provides specific templates and instructions for the required documents. Make sure once the scholarship opens, you go ahead and download the templates for the 2027/2028 application cycle and follow the instructions carefully. Do not submit documents using formats that are different from those provided by SI.
Looking for help in identifying scholarship opportunities: Get expert guidance today.