The Swedish Institute's Scholarship for Global Professionals pays full tuition, a living allowance of SEK 12,000 a month and a one-time SEK 15,000 travel grant for a master's degree in Sweden, and Nigerians are eligible. The first deadline is close: you must apply to your master's programmes through University Admissions by 15 January 2027, before the scholarship application itself opens in February.
This guide covers who qualifies, the 3,000-hour work rule that trips up many applicants, and the exact order of steps, according to the official SI page.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Level | One- or two-year master's degree, starting autumn 2027 |
| Fields | Governance, Public Health, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, STEM |
| Eligible African countries | Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia (34 countries in total) |
| Tuition | Fully covered, paid by SI to your university |
| Living allowance | SEK 12,000 a month |
| Travel grant | SEK 15,000, paid once |
| University application | 16 October 2026 to 15 January 2027 |
| Scholarship application | 8 to 24 February 2027, closing at 14:59 CET |
| Results | University offers on 1 April 2027; scholarship winners on 22 April 2027 |
Who can apply
You must:
- be a citizen of one of the 34 eligible countries (you do not need to live there now);
- apply to a master's programme on SI's eligible list, which will be published on 13 November 2026;
- be liable to pay tuition fees in Sweden;
- have at least 3,000 hours of work experience before February 2027, from no more than three employers; and
- show leadership experience from work, entrepreneurship or civil society.
Full-time, part-time, freelance and self-employed work all count, and you do not need to be employed when you apply. Experience related to your chosen field is given priority.
You are not eligible if you already hold or are studying for a Swedish degree, have lived in Sweden for two years or more, have had an SI study scholarship before, or hold EU or EEA citizenship.
What 3,000 hours means in practice
At a standard 40-hour week, 3,000 hours is roughly 75 weeks, or about a year and a half of full-time work. Part-time and freelance hours add up too. You will prove your hours with SI's certificate templates, which will be published on 13 November. Start collecting proof now: letters from employers, client contracts and invoices.
How to apply, step by step
- Pick your programmes. Check SI's list of eligible master's programmes when it is published on 13 November.
- Apply to Swedish universities at universityadmissions.se between 16 October 2026 and 15 January 2027. You can apply to up to four programmes and must pay the University Admissions application fee on time.
- Save your eight-digit application number. You need it for the scholarship form, and a wrong number disqualifies your application.
- Apply for the SI scholarship between 8 and 24 February 2027. The portal closes at 14:59 CET on 24 February.
- Wait for results. Universities announce admissions on 1 April 2027, and SI announces scholarships on 22 April 2027. You must be admitted to an eligible programme on the first admissions day.
Note that the Stockholm School of Economics and Konstfack run separate admissions and do not issue a University Admissions number.
What the scholarship does not cover
- Health insurance (check what your university provides)
- Extra money for family members
- The University Admissions application fee
- Changing programme or extending your scholarship period
How to make your application stronger
SI asks you to explain how your master's degree will help your home country's sustainable development. The strongest applications link a specific problem you have worked on in Nigeria to the programme you chose and to what you will do when you return. Leadership counts most when it comes from your job, so describe a team you led, a project you owned or a decision you influenced.
Looking at other funded master's options? See the Erasmus Mundus MAPP Scholarship and TU Delft's Excellence Scholarship.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians apply for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals?
Yes. Nigeria is one of the 34 eligible countries.
How much is the monthly allowance?
SEK 12,000 a month, plus full tuition and a SEK 15,000 travel grant.
When is the deadline?
Apply to universities by 15 January 2027, then apply for the scholarship between 8 and 24 February 2027.
Can I apply to more than one programme?
Yes. University Admissions lets you apply for up to four master's programmes, but you can only be awarded the scholarship for the eligible programme you are admitted to on the first admissions day.
Is health insurance included?
No. Check what cover your Swedish university provides for international students.
Do I need a job right now?
No, but you need at least 3,000 hours of work experience in total before February 2027.
Last checked against the Swedish Institute's official scholarship page on 28 October 2026.
