Scholarships·Europe· 8 min read

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP): Eligibility and Application

How the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) work: the work-experience and leadership eligibility, the strict two-step application, and what many applicants get wrong.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

Administered by: The Swedish Institute (SI), a Swedish public agency
For: Full-time master's in Sweden, aimed at experienced global professionals
Key eligibility: Minimum accumulated work experience (in hours) + demonstrated leadership
Application: Two steps — University Admissions first, then the SI scholarship portal
Programmes: Only master's programmes on the annual SISGP eligible list qualify
Amounts & deadlines: Set each cycle — verify on si.se

What SISGP is — and what it is not

The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) is a competitive, government-funded scholarship for international students doing a full-time master's degree in Sweden. It is administered by the Swedish Institute (SI), a Swedish public agency, and its details are published on si.se.

The common misconception is that SISGP funds any degree for any strong student. It does not. It is aimed specifically at experienced professionals with leadership potential, and it only applies to master's programmes that are on the eligible list for the scholarship each year.

Because it is a government scholarship, eligibility is based solely on academic, professional and programme criteria — never on faith, community or personal background. Amounts, deadlines and the eligible-programme list are set each cycle, so always verify on the official SI site.

Government-funded, competitive scholarship for a full-time master's in Sweden
Administered by the Swedish Institute (SI); published on si.se
Aimed at experienced professionals with leadership potential — not every applicant
Only eligible master's programmes qualify; details are set each cycle — verify officially

The eligibility that trips people up: work + leadership

SISGP has two distinctive requirements beyond academics. First, a substantial amount of work experience: the Swedish Institute sets a minimum accumulated work-experience threshold (measured in hours) from employment, freelancing or entrepreneurship. This experience does not have to be continuous and can span multiple employers.

Second, demonstrated leadership experience — from your current or previous employment or from civil-society engagement. There is no minimum number of hours for leadership, but the Swedish Institute gives priority to applicants with strong, relevant leadership experience, especially from employment.

These two criteria are why SISGP is a "global professionals" scholarship rather than a general master's scholarship. Confirm the exact work-experience threshold and how leadership is assessed for the current cycle in the official SI eligibility rules before you apply.

A minimum accumulated work-experience threshold (in hours) — employment, freelancing or entrepreneurship
Work experience need not be continuous and can span multiple employers
Demonstrated leadership experience (from work or civil society) is required and prioritised
Confirm the exact thresholds and assessment in the official SI rules each cycle

The strict two-step application

SISGP is not a single form. It is a two-step process, and getting the order wrong is a frequent, fatal mistake.

Step one: apply to eligible Swedish master's programmes through the national University Admissions service (universityadmissions.se) during its application window. When you submit, you receive a personal application number — save it, because you need it later.

Step two: after the University Admissions step, apply for the SI scholarship itself through the Swedish Institute's own scholarship portal during its separate, and typically much shorter, window. You must have completed step one first. Both steps have firm deadlines set each cycle, so map them out carefully and confirm the current dates on the official sites.

Step 1: apply to eligible master's programmes via universityadmissions.se and save your application number
Step 2: apply for the SI scholarship on the Swedish Institute's own portal, using that number
You must complete the University Admissions step before the SI scholarship step
Both windows have firm, separate deadlines set each cycle — verify on the official sites

Choosing eligible programmes

Not every Swedish master's is covered. Each year the Swedish Institute publishes the list of master's programmes that are eligible for SISGP — a large set spanning fields such as technology, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, medicine and public health, and agricultural science, but still a defined list.

Applying to a programme that is not on the eligible list means you cannot be considered for the scholarship, no matter how strong you are. So your programme shortlist and your scholarship eligibility must be checked together from the start.

Because the eligible-programme list changes each cycle, build your University Admissions choices around the current official SISGP list on si.se rather than an old version. Confirm each programme's eligibility before you rank it.

Only master's programmes on the annual SISGP eligible list qualify
The list is large and multi-disciplinary but still defined
Applying to a non-eligible programme rules you out of the scholarship
Build your choices around the current official list on si.se — it changes each cycle

Building a competitive, honest application

SISGP is selective, and selection considers your academic record, your professional and leadership experience, and your motivation and fit — including how you intend to use your studies to contribute in your field or society. There is no formula and no guaranteed outcome.

Treat the motivation and CV as central, not an afterthought: show real, verifiable work and leadership experience that matches the scholarship's global-professionals focus. Be accurate — inflated or unverifiable claims undermine an application.

No one can guarantee you a Swedish Institute scholarship, and a legitimate scholarship is never bought. Ignore any party offering guaranteed selection or charging to "secure" a place, apply only through the official channels, and keep this framed as guidance — the official SI criteria are the final word.

Selection weighs academics, professional/leadership experience, motivation and fit
Make your CV and motivation central and strictly accurate
No guaranteed outcome — and a scholarship is never bought
Apply only through official channels; the official SI criteria are decisive

Frequently asked questions

Who is SISGP designed for?

The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals is for experienced professionals with leadership potential who want to do a full-time master's in Sweden. It is not a general master's scholarship — the work-experience and leadership requirements are central. Verify the current criteria on si.se.

How much work experience do I need?

The Swedish Institute sets a minimum accumulated work-experience threshold measured in hours, from employment, freelancing or entrepreneurship; it need not be continuous and can span multiple employers. Confirm the exact current threshold in the official SI eligibility rules before applying.

Does leadership experience have an hours requirement?

No. There is no minimum number of hours for leadership experience, but you must be able to demonstrate it — from work or civil-society engagement — and strong, relevant leadership from employment is prioritised. Check how it is assessed in the current official rules.

What is the two-step application?

First you apply to eligible master's programmes via University Admissions (universityadmissions.se) and get an application number. Then, separately, you apply for the SI scholarship on the Swedish Institute's own portal using that number. You must do the University Admissions step first, and both have firm, separate deadlines.

Can I use SISGP for any Swedish master's programme?

No. Only master's programmes on the annual SISGP eligible list qualify. Applying to a non-eligible programme means you cannot be considered, so build your University Admissions choices around the current official list on si.se, which changes each cycle.

Can anyone guarantee me the scholarship?

No. SISGP is competitive and merit-based, and a scholarship is never bought. No agent or service can guarantee selection. Apply only through the official University Admissions and Swedish Institute channels, and treat any pay-to-secure offer as a scam.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Swedish Institute — Scholarships for Global Professionals (official); Swedish Institute — Scholarships overview; University Admissions in Sweden (official application service).

Last verified: 3 July 2026.