About this opportunity
A fully funded master degree in Sweden, with tuition paid, a monthly allowance and a travel grant on top. The condition, if you can call it that, is that this scholarship is built for people who have already started working and already started leading.
The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals is open to citizens of 34 listed countries, and the African list is long: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, South Africa, Liberia, Morocco, Egypt and others. You do not have to be living in your country of citizenship to apply.
The process has two doors, not one. You apply for an eligible master programme at a Swedish university through University Admissions, and separately through the Swedish Institute portal when it opens for two weeks in February. For the 2027/2028 cycle the university application window opens on 16 October 2026 and the SI portal opens on 8 February 2027, closing at 14:59 Central European Time at the end of those two weeks.
If you are a Nigerian, Ghanaian or Kenyan professional with a few years of work behind you and a clear idea of the change you want to drive afterwards, this is one of the strongest fully funded routes available. Start the university application early, the scholarship needs it already in motion.
What you receive
- Full tuition fee coverage for an eligible master programme
- Monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000
- Travel grant
- Access to international professional networks
- Swedish Institute alumni and leadership network
- Study at a Swedish university in an English taught programme
Who can apply
- Citizen of one of the 34 countries eligible for the scholarship, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt and Liberia among them
- You do not need to be residing in your country of citizenship
- Applied for one or more eligible master programmes at Swedish universities through University Admissions
- Programme must be full time, taught in English and on the official Swedish Institute list for the 2027/2028 academic year
- Demonstrated work experience and leadership potential
- Applicants with dual eligible citizenship must select only one citizenship
Who should not apply
- Programmes not on the official Swedish Institute list for the 2027/2028 academic year are not funded
- Citizens of countries outside the 34 eligible countries cannot apply
- Submitting multiple applications under different eligible citizenships results in disqualification
Documents to prepare
- University Admissions application for an eligible master programme
- Swedish Institute scholarship application
- Proof of citizenship of an eligible country
- Evidence of work experience
- Evidence of leadership experience from work, civil society or student organisations
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates required by the chosen programme
How to apply
- Check that your country of citizenship is on the Swedish Institute eligible country list
- Select one or more eligible English taught master programmes at Swedish universities
- Apply through University Admissions during the application window that opened on 16 October 2026
- Prepare evidence of your work experience and leadership engagement
- Submit the scholarship application through the Swedish Institute portal when it opens on 8 February 2027, before it closes at 14:59 Central European Time at the end of the two week window
- Watch for the University Admissions result and the Swedish Institute announcement in April 2027
Selection process
- The Swedish Institute assesses citizenship, programme choice, university admission status, work experience and leadership experience
- Applications are evaluated against the published criteria for the academic year
- University admissions results are announced in April 2027
- Scholarship decisions are announced in April 2027
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Do I need to live in my country of citizenship?
No. Citizenship of an eligible country is what matters, residence is not a condition.
When does the scholarship portal open?
The portal for the 2027/2028 cycle opens on 8 February 2027 and stays open for two weeks, closing at 14:59 Central European Time.
What does the scholarship pay?
Full tuition coverage, a monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000, a travel grant and access to professional networks.
Can I apply with dual citizenship?
Yes, if both countries are eligible you still select only one eligible citizenship. Applying under more than one disqualifies you.
Is the master programme choice restricted?
Yes. The programme must be full time, taught in English and included on the official Swedish Institute list for the 2027/2028 academic year.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
