The Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarships for Global Professionals is offering scholarships for full-time one or two-year master's degree programmes at Swedish universities for 2024/2025 academic year. The scholarship aims to develop global leaders who will contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contribute to a positive and sustainable development in their home countries.

The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals will open between 12 - 28 February 2024. To qualify, applicants need to have applied to a Swedish university and submitted proof of university application fee payment of 900 SEK (Swedish kronor) approximately R1 545 prior to applying for the scholarship.

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is offering support and payment of the Swedish university application fee, to up to fifteen (15) qualifying scholarship applicants. Only those who have applied for admission to a Swedish university AND commit to applying for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals are eligible. Selection will be done based on meeting the overall SI Scholarship for Global Professionals criteria including university entrance requirements, academic excellence, individual need and alignment with South African government priorities.

To apply for the university application fee support from the DHET, eligible applicants must complete the DHET application form and submit all required supporting documents by 16 January 2024 after submitting admission application to the Swedish university of choice. See more details below on the application process.

More information on the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is available at https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/swedish-institute-scholarships-for-global-professionals/ 

Degree level

Master’s

Who can apply for the support for university application fees and the scholarship?

• South African citizens in good health with a strong academic record – above 65% average achieved;
• Must have had at least 3,000 hours of work experience within the fields in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development prior to 11 February 2024 from a maximum of three organisations/companies (visit https://si.se/en/apply/sisgp-who-can-apply/#other to understand how to calculate employment hours to make sure you qualify. Applicants will be required to provide certification of 3,000 work hours);
• Available and eligible to study in Sweden from September 2024;
• Have applied for a Master’s degree programme eligible for SI scholarships at a Swedish university on a full-time basis;
• Intend to return to South Africa at the end of your studies;
• Have demonstrated leadership experience from your current or previous employment or from civil society engagements;
• Priority will be given to applicants with a strong and relevant professional background and demonstrated leadership experience.

Study fields

Applications for all Master’s programmes eligible for the SI Scholarship will be accepted.

About 700 English-taught master’s programmes are eligible for the SI scholarship for Global Professionals, covering programmes in the fields of humanities, agricultural science, medicine and public health, natural science, social science, and technology. 

What the scholarship offers

• Full tuition fees coverage;
• Living expenses of SEK 12,000/month (~R20 600);
• Travel grant of SEK 15,000 (~ R25 700) for the entire scholarship period – this will be paid upon arrival in Sweden, therefore recipients               will need to pay for their own flight to Sweden;
• Insurance against illness and accident;
• Membership of the SI Network for Future Global Professionals – a platform to grow your network and experience, while in Sweden;
• Lifelong membership of the SI Alumni Network – a platform for further professional development and to stay in touch.

The scholarship does not

• Provide additional grants for family members;
• Cover university application fees;
• Allow changes to the study programme. You will only be supported through the awarded master’s programme.
• Allow extensions or changes to the awarded scholarship period.

Unsuccessful applicants for the DHET university application fee support would need to make provision for the application fees.

Application process

Admissions to Swedish university and colleges are managed by the Swedish Council for Higher Education through their portal University Admissions.

In order to apply for the scholarship, applicants must have applied to a Swedish university through the University Admission portal at: https://www.universityadmissions.se/intl/start.

Note: If you are currently employed, we advised that you discuss your application with your employer. It is your responsibility to ensure that you will be granted leave of absence or be released from your work in time for the beginning of your studies. The Department will not intervene in this matter..

Step ONE: Apply for a master's programme           

Submit an application to an identified Swedish universities through the central application system online by 15 January 2024. You do not need to make a payment at this time if you are going to apply for application fee support from DHET. It is recommended that you apply for more than one programme and university to increase your chances of gaining admission.

Apply for up to four eligible master's programmes at UniversityAdmissions.se by 15 January 2024.

Step TWO: Pay university application fee

If you are able to pay the Swedish university application fee, or are not selected for support from the DHET, you will need to pay the university application fee yourself by 01 February 2024.

Should you wish to apply for support to pay the university application fee, complete the DHET application for support form and attach the following documents:

      -   Transcripts of four-year Bachelor’s or Bachelor’s and Honour’s degrees;

      -   Copy of ID;

      -   Proof of Swedish university application;

      -   A CV not exceeding three (3) pages.

Email all the documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 16 January 2024

Step THREE: Apply for the scholarship  

Submit a Swedish Institute Scholarship application between 12 and 28 February 2024

No applications after the above deadlines will be considered.

DHET supported applicants who do not apply for the scholarship, will be required to reimburse the DHET.

A TIMELINE OF IMPORTANT DATES

Contact

For any queries related to the DHET university application fee support process, contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For any questions or inquiries related to your university application, tuition fees or admittance, please contact University Admissions.

Documents and links

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals Overview

Eligible master’s programmes for the academic year 2024/2025  

Swedish university application link

DHET application form for support

Note

Please note the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

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