Written by Dena
25 Nov 2015
Hej there!
This is an updated version of my blog post on applying for the Swedish Institute Scholarships (Masters). The application process and eligibility criteria have slightly changed in comparison to the previous years, and I have received many messages and questions from you about it.
As in my previous post on this matter, probably one of the most important things to keep in mind here is the timeline.
You don’t want to overlook a deadline and miss your chance for applying.
So, let’s see:
Firstly: it is very important for you to know that the process for applying for programme(s) and for the SI scholarship is SEPARATE. This has always been this way.
What also hasn’t changed since last year is the Universityadmissions.se deadline to apply for programme(s) you would like to study. It is the 15 January 2016 and by then you’re supposed to apply via the universityadmissions website. Furthermore, by 1 February 2016, you will need to have sent all the supporting documents required for your application and pay the application fee (or provide proof of exemption from paying the fee).
Now, when it comes to scholarships by the Swedish Institute, a lot of things depend on the scholarship category you belong to.
So, let’s tackle the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships first.
The application process has slightly changed this year and is now a two-step process.
STEP #1:
Application opens 1 December 2015 and ends 20 January 2016. There are no documents to be submitted in this step. You will be able to apply by submitting an online application through the website of the Swedish Institute.
IN BETWEEN STEP #1 AND #2:
The deadline for applying for your preferred programme(s) is coming up, remember? Here you submit your application to universityadmissions.se as I explained above.
STEP #2:
Period: 8 – 13 February 2016
If your step #1 was successful, and you have completed the “in-between step”, you will be asked to submit a more detailed application in this step.
- A motivation letter
- A Europass CV (Only this format is accepted! Do NOT put your photo in it either),
- Two (2) reference letters (will also be provided by the Swedish Institute – and they must be signed)
- A copy of your valid passport.
Make sure your documents are in English and make sure to have a separate motivation letter for each programme you have applied for. Here you can go to my previous blog post and read about the Motivation Letters. The Motivation Letter templates are provided by the Swedish Institute.
For this category of scholarships, an added requirement is work experience of two years (at least). Many forms of employment are eligible – including but not limited to internships and voluntary work. You can find this information in the eligibility criteria for this category.
Voilà! Now you’re done and you can relax until the results are out.
Now, for the categories Swedish-Turkish Scholarship Programme, Visby Programme and the Swedish Institute Scholarships for the Western Balkans the process is a bit simpler:
Period: 1 – 13 February 2016
Apart from applying to universityadmissions.se by 15 January 2016 (and sending the supporting documents and paying the fee by 1 February 2016), the process for the scholarship is fairly simple:
- Europass CV (Only this format is accepted! Do NOT put your photo in it either).
- Motivation letter, provided by the Swedish Institute (will be available on the website in December). Note: for each programme you apply, you must submit a separate motivation letter. My previous blog post on the Motivation letter can be found here.
- A letter of reference. It is recommended to use the template of the Swedish Institute (will be available on the website in December)
There you go. Lycka till and see you in Sweden!
Please note that you should always be checking the relevant websites for your application in order to get the accurate, up-to-date information.
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Featured photograph: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se
