If you are a student from South Korea and want to study in Sweden, you can compete for several scholarships, but most are competitive and partial. The main places to look are the Swedish Institute, universities in Sweden, and Erasmus Mundus programmes for joint master's degrees. Always check the official scholarship or programme page for the current rules, since dates and conditions can change each year.
Main scholarship routes
For most students, the realistic options are these:
- Swedish Institute scholarships - usually for strong students from certain countries and fields, mostly at master's level. These are among the most known options, but the competition is high.
- University scholarships - many Swedish universities give fee waivers or tuition scholarships for international students. These often go to students with strong grades and a good application.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees - international master's programmes with funding from the EU. You study at more than one university and may get tuition support and a living grant.
- External foundations - some Korean or international foundations may support study abroad, but these are less common and each one has its own rules.
For bachelor's study, full scholarships for non-EU students are harder to find. For master's study, the chances are usually better.
Swedish Institute scholarships
The Swedish Institute, often called SI, is one of the best-known scholarship providers for Sweden. These scholarships are usually aimed at applicants with strong leadership potential, good academic results, and a clear reason for studying in Sweden.
- Level: mostly master's
- What they may cover: tuition, living costs, and sometimes other support, depending on the scheme
- Typical requirements: admission to an eligible Swedish programme, strong academic background, work or leadership experience in some schemes, and proof of English
- When they open: often once a year, usually around the same time as master's admissions, but check the Swedish Institute site for the exact dates
Some SI scholarships are open only to applicants from specific countries or regions, or to certain types of programmes. South Korean students should check the current eligibility list and the official instructions before applying.
University scholarships in Sweden
Many Swedish universities offer scholarships that reduce or remove tuition fees for students from outside the EU and EEA. These are often the most realistic option if your grades are strong and your application is complete.
- What they usually cover: full tuition or part of the tuition fee
- What they usually do not cover: living costs, travel, insurance, or residence permit fees
- Typical requirements: excellent grades, a strong motivation letter, a complete application for the programme, and sometimes a first-choice ranking
- When they open: often after the master's application window opens, and the scholarship deadline is often close to the programme deadline or soon after it
Each university sets its own rules. Some only consider students who have applied on time for the programme. Some ask for a separate scholarship form. Some choose candidates based on merit only. Read the university's admissions page carefully.
Erasmus Mundus and joint master's degrees
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are a strong option if you want an international programme with several universities. Sweden may be one of the partner countries in some of these programmes, although the lead university can be in another country.
- Level: master's
- What it may cover: tuition, monthly support, travel, and insurance, depending on the programme
- Typical requirements: a relevant bachelor's degree, strong grades, English proof, references, and sometimes a clear study plan or CV
- When they open: usually in autumn for studies starting the next academic year, but every programme has its own deadline
These programmes are competitive because many students from many countries apply. The quality of your documents matters a lot.
What a strong profile looks like
Scholarship committees want proof that you are ready for the programme and that you fit the scholarship goals. A strong profile helps you even before you apply, because it shows your strengths in a clear way.
- Academic documents: diploma, transcript, and grading scale if available
- English proof: IELTS, TOEFL, or another accepted test, if the programme asks for it
- Motivation letter: short, direct, and focused on your study goal and future plans
- CV: education, projects, jobs, volunteering, research, and leadership
- References: if the scholarship asks for them, choose people who know your work well
If your documents are clear and complete, you make it easier for scholarship reviewers to compare you with other applicants. Missing papers, weak scans, or vague answers can hurt your chances.
When to start and how to stay ready
For Sweden, the safest plan is to start early. Many master's and scholarship systems open months before classes begin, and some deadlines are fixed every year but not exactly the same.
- Check the university admissions page first for the programme deadline.
- Check the scholarship's own site for the scholarship deadline and eligibility rules.
- Prepare your passport, degree papers, transcripts, and English proof early.
- Make sure your name is written the same way on all documents.
- Keep digital copies that are clear and easy to upload from your phone.
Also remember that a scholarship does not replace the normal admission process. You usually need to get admitted, or at least apply for admission, before the scholarship decision is made.
Common questions
Can I get a full scholarship in Sweden as a South Korean student?
Yes, but it is competitive. Full support is more common in some SI schemes and some Erasmus Mundus programmes than in standard university waivers. Always check what the scholarship covers.
Do I need admission before I apply for a scholarship?
Often you need to apply for admission at the same time, and some scholarships only consider students who have applied to an eligible programme on time. Read the official rules for each scholarship.
What is the best first step?
Choose one or two programmes, check their admissions pages, and make a file with your transcript, diploma, English score, CV, and motivation letter. Then check whether the Swedish Institute, the university, or the programme offers funding.
How Eduuro helps
Create a free profile with your field, education, English level and documents, and admissions offices that search for exactly that can find you and write first.
This can help you become visible to universities and programmes that match your background, so they can contact you directly when they are looking for students like you.
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Check the university's own admissions page and the official immigration site of the country before you act on anything here.