VISBY PROGRAMME SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MASTER’S LEVEL STUDIES - SWEDISH INSTITUTE

The aim of the Visby Programme is to build an integrated, knowledge-based and research-intense region, centred on the Baltic Sea, but also bridging to the Eastern Partnership countries and the Russian Federation.

The scholarships are intended for full-time master’s level studies in Sweden and cover both living costs and tuition fees. About 55 scholarships will be offered for the academic year 2016/2017.

Scholarship application period: 1-13 February 2016

Countries

The programme is open to candidates from Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.

Who is eligible?

The scholarships are only intended for students who pay tuition fees according to the information at University Admissions.

There is no age limit for scholarship holders.

A scholarship cannot be granted for a student who:

• has already lived in Sweden for two years or more previous to the scholarship period.
• has a Swedish or EU/EES-citizenship, permanent residence permit or work permit in Sweden.
• has previously been awarded a Swedish Institute scholarship for master’s level studies or research at a Swedish university/university college. Students who have attended Swedish Institute summer courses in the Swedish language or within the Swedish Institute Summer University may apply.
• already holds a degree from a Swedish university/university college.
• is currently enrolled in a study programme at a Swedish university/university college.

Eligible programmes

A list of eligible master programmes for the academic year 2016/2017 will be available in November 2015. The programmes are selected by the Swedish Institute on the basis of thematic relevance for the SI Baltic Sea Region Cooperation.

Scholarship benefits and period

The scholarship covers both the tuition fee (which is paid directly to the Swedish university/university college by the Swedish Institute) and living expenses to the amount of SEK 9,000 per month.

The scholarship is only awarded for programmes starting in the autumn semester (August/September) and is granted for one academic year, i.e. for two semesters at a time. It will be extended for programmes longer than two semesters provided that the student’s study results are satisfactory.

The scholarship is designed to cover living costs and study expenses for the scholarship holder. There are no grants for family members. The scholarship cannot be transferred to another degree programme or university, nor can the scholarship period be altered or extended beyond the period of study for the degree programme. However, scholarship holders within the Visby Programme enrolled on one-year master’s programmes (60 credits) may apply for an extension of the scholarship to pursue an unpaid internship in Sweden lasting for a period of up to 5 months beyond the ordinary programme period.

Travel grants

Scholarship holders receive a travel grant in connection with the scholarship. The travel grant is a one-time payment, fixed according to the scheme below and based upon the citizenship of the applicant. The grant is meant to also cover the cost of the return flight. Students on a programme which lasts longer than two semesters will receive an additional grant with the scholarship extension.

• Belarus, Ukraine and Russia: SEK 4,000.
• Georgia and Moldova: SEK 5,000.

Insurance

Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period.

SI Network for Future Global Leaders

All Swedish Institute scholarship holders become members of the SI Network for Future Global Leaders – a network which offers unique opportunities during and after the stay in Sweden. Together with other talented people from all around the world, the scholarship holder is able to take part in a variety of events, exchange ideas and create networks that benefit both to career and personal development.

How to apply

Detailed information on the application procedure will be available in November 2015.

Key dates and deadlines for applications

• Novmeber 2015: List of eligible master’s programmes is published by SI
• 1 December 2015 – 15 January 2016: Apply online to master’s programmes at Universityadmissions.se and pay the application fee
• 1 February 2016: Deadline to submit supporting documents and payment of application fee. For detailed information see Universityadmissions.se
• 1-13 February 2016: Apply for a Swedish Institute scholarship through the online application service (application opens 1 February 2016)
• 29 March 2016: Notification of selection results published on Universityadmissions.se
• 12 April 2016: List of successful candidates for Swedish Institute scholarships is published on Studyinsweden.se
• 14 April 2016: Deadline for accepting your study place
• 13-17 April 2016: Swedish Institute sends formal scholarship offers to successful candidates by e-mail
• 30 April 2016: Deadline for accepting the Swedish Institute scholarship