Apply for Scholarships from Here.

The Dalarna University Masters Scholarships 2027 are tuition fee waivers for fee-paying international students in Sweden. The Choose Dalarna First Scholarship gives a guaranteed 5,000 SEK reduction, while the Academic Excellence Scholarship offers up to 90,000 SEK based on your results during the programme.

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Study in Sweden with Tuition Support

Dreaming of a master’s degree in Sweden without the full weight of tuition fees on your shoulders? Dalarna University (DU), a well-regarded public university with campuses in Falun and Borlänge, offers two scholarships that can lower your costs from the moment you’re admitted through to the day you graduate.

These scholarships are offered directly by Dalarna University to fee-paying international master’s students, meaning applicants from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who are not otherwise exempt from tuition fees. The scholarships are attractive because they are objective and guaranteed: if you meet the published criteria, you receive the award. There is no competition for a limited number of spots.

Two scholarships make up this programme. The Choose Dalarna First Scholarship gives every eligible student a guaranteed tuition reduction simply for ranking a DU master’s programme as their first choice. The Academic Excellence Scholarship then rewards strong academic performance throughout your studies, with awards given every semester you qualify. Students who want a fully funded route can also apply separately for the Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarship, which is a different, competitive government-funded award.

Any international student planning to study a master’s degree at Dalarna University, whether on campus or online, should look closely at these scholarships before finalising their application.

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Quick Overview Table

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About the Dalarna University Masters Scholarship

Dalarna University introduced this scholarship structure for students beginning their master’s studies in 2026 or later. It replaced an older scholarship system, and if you started your programme in 2025 or earlier, you would continue under that previous structure instead.

The goal of the scholarship programme is straightforward: reward students who choose Dalarna University as their top choice, and then keep rewarding those who perform strongly throughout their studies. Unlike scholarships that are awarded once to a small number of applicants, Dalarna University states clearly that everyone who meets the criteria receives the scholarship, with no cap on how many students can be awarded each semester.

Students may also be considered for the Swedish Institute Scholarship, a separate, competitive, fully funded scholarship covering tuition and living costs, though a student cannot hold both a Dalarna University scholarship and an SI scholarship at the same time.

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Scholarship Benefits

✔ Choose Dalarna First Scholarship: A guaranteed 5,000 SEK reduction applied directly to your first-semester tuition invoice

✔ Academic Excellence Scholarship – Semester Award: A tuition fee waiver for each semester in which you meet the academic performance criteria, ranging from 5,000 SEK to 15,000 SEK depending on your programme

✔ Academic Excellence Scholarship – Programme Distinction: An additional award paid at the end of your programme if you qualify for the Semester Award in every semester, ranging from 10,000 SEK to 30,000 SEK depending on your programme

✔ Total possible scholarship value across your programme ranges from 20,000 SEK to 90,000 SEK, depending on which master’s programme you are enrolled in

✔ No separate application needed for the Choose Dalarna First Scholarship beyond the standard scholarship form; it is applied automatically once you are confirmed eligible

✔ Available for both campus-based and online master’s programmes

✔ Open to a wide range of subject areas, including business, data science, sustainability, tourism, energy engineering, linguistics, and more

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Available Programs

The Academic Excellence Scholarship applies to a specific list of Dalarna University master’s programmes, each with its own award structure:

Campus programmes:

• Business Studies with an International Focus
• Economics
• Tourism Destination Development
• Business Intelligence
• Data Science
• Energy Efficient Built Environment
• Global Sexual Reproductive Health
• Solar Energy Engineering (2-year programme)
• Sustainability and Tourism

Online programmes:

• Applied English Linguistics
• Democracy, Citizenship and Change
• English with a Specialization in Literature
• Intercultural Literature Studies

The Choose Dalarna First Scholarship, on the other hand, is available to anyone admitted to any Dalarna University master’s programme, as long as you ranked it as your first choice.

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Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Choose Dalarna First Scholarship, you must:

1. Apply to a Dalarna University master’s programme and rank it as your first choice on UniversityAdmissions.se by the on-time application deadline
2. Submit a separate Dalarna University scholarship application by 15 February (autumn intake) or 15 September (spring intake)
3. Be admitted to any master’s programme at Dalarna University
4. Be required to pay tuition fees (this scholarship is not available to EU/EEA/Swiss students, who generally do not pay tuition fees)

To qualify for the Academic Excellence Scholarship – Semester Award, you must:

• Complete all 30 credits that are part of your master’s programme curriculum for that semester
• Achieve outstanding academic results, meaning 15 of those credits at the top possible grade
• Have all your course results reported within six weeks after the semester ends
• Maintain good academic standing under the university’s rules on academic integrity

To qualify for the Programme Distinction, you must receive the Semester Award in every semester of your programme.

Both scholarships are only available to master’s-level, fee-paying students. They are not available for bachelor’s programmes, standalone courses, or students who are exempt from tuition fees.

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Required Documents

Because these scholarships are assessed using data already submitted through your university application and academic records, you generally do not need to prepare extra supporting documents. What you will need is:

• Your completed master’s programme application on UniversityAdmissions.se
• Confirmation that you ranked a Dalarna University programme as your first choice
• The completed Dalarna University scholarship application form (for Choose Dalarna First or Academic Excellence)
• Your official semester grades and credit transcripts (for the Academic Excellence Scholarship, submitted automatically through your academic record)
• A valid passport or identification, as required for your general university application and visa process

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Application Process

Step 1: Apply for admission. Apply to a Dalarna University master’s programme through UniversityAdmissions.se and rank it as your first choice.

Step 2: Submit the Choose Dalarna First Scholarship application. Complete the separate Dalarna University scholarship application by 15 February for autumn intake, or 15 September for spring intake.

Step 3: Wait for the admission and scholarship list. Dalarna University publishes a list of admitted students who meet the Choose Dalarna First criteria by 1 April (autumn semester) or 1 November (spring semester). If your name appears, the tuition reduction is applied automatically to your first invoice.

Step 4: Begin your studies. Once enrolled, focus on meeting the credit and grade requirements each semester to qualify for the Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Step 5: Apply for the Academic Excellence Semester Award. Submit the online application during the active window: 1–15 February for autumn semester results, or 1–15 July for spring semester results.

Step 6: Apply for the Programme Distinction. In your final semester, apply for the Programme Distinction at the same time as your final Semester Award application, if you qualified every semester.

You can consider the Swedish Institute Scholarship as a separate, additional pathway, though it has its own independent application process and cannot be combined with a Dalarna University scholarship.

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Important Dates

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Important Links

• Official Dalarna University Scholarships page (du.se)
• UniversityAdmissions.se (for your master’s programme application)
• Choose Dalarna First Scholarship application form (survey.du.se)
• Swedish Institute Scholarships website (si.se)
• Contact for international student recruitment: study@du.se

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Selection Process

1. Programme application review: Your master’s programme application on UniversityAdmissions.se is processed as normal, including confirmation of your first-choice ranking.
2. Scholarship application review: Your separate Choose Dalarna First or Academic Excellence application is checked against the objective criteria.
3. Admission confirmation: Once you are admitted to any DU master’s programme and confirmed to have met the criteria, your name appears on the published eligibility list.
4. Automatic award: The Choose Dalarna First reduction is deducted directly from your first-semester invoice, with no further action needed from you.
5. Ongoing semester review: For the Academic Excellence Scholarship, your results are reviewed each semester against the credit and grade thresholds for your specific programme.

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How to Increase Your Chances for Dalarna University Masters Scholarship

• Rank a Dalarna University master’s programme as your genuine first choice on UniversityAdmissions.se
• Submit your scholarship application well before the 15 February or 15 September deadline
• Aim to complete all 30 credits each semester with strong grades to stay on track for the Academic Excellence Scholarship
• Keep your coursework and exam submissions on schedule, since results must be reported within six weeks of the semester ending
• Also research the Swedish Institute Scholarship if you want a chance at fully funded support, and apply separately if eligible
• Stay in good academic standing, since integrity violations can affect your eligibility

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the separate scholarship application deadline, since simply applying for the master’s programme is not enough
• Ranking a different programme as your first choice and expecting the scholarship to still apply
• Assuming the Choose Dalarna First Scholarship applies to bachelor’s programmes or standalone courses
• Forgetting to reapply each semester for the Academic Excellence Scholarship, since it is not automatically carried over
• Applying for both an SI scholarship and expecting to also keep a Dalarna University scholarship at the same time
• Missing the six-week results reporting window, which can affect your Semester Award eligibility

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Living in Sweden

Dalarna University’s two campuses, Falun and Borlänge, are located in the historic Dalarna region, a few hours from Stockholm. Compared to Sweden’s biggest cities, the cost of living in this region tends to be more affordable, particularly for accommodation. Students typically budget for rent, food, transport, and personal expenses. Sweden has a temperate climate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers, and Dalarna is known for its natural scenery, lakes, and forests. Healthcare access for international students depends on your residence permit and insurance arrangements. Sweden is also known for its strong public transport and generally high standard of student life and safety.

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Visa Information

Non-EU/EEA students admitted to a Dalarna University master’s programme will typically need a Swedish residence permit for studies. This involves submitting proof of admission, proof of funds to cover living costs, and health insurance where required, through the Swedish Migration Agency. Processing times and fees are set by Swedish immigration authorities rather than the university, so applicants should check current requirements directly with the Migration Agency well ahead of their intended start date.

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Why Study in Sweden

• Sweden is home to internationally recognised universities with strong research reputations
• Many master’s programmes, including at Dalarna University, are taught in English
• Sweden offers a high quality of life, safety, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation
• Guaranteed, criteria-based scholarships like Choose Dalarna First make studying in Sweden more predictable and accessible
• A Swedish master’s degree is well recognised by employers internationally

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dalarna University Masters Scholarship fully funded? No, it is a partial tuition fee waiver, not a fully funded scholarship. Students seeking full funding should also look at the separate Swedish Institute Scholarship.

Who can apply for the Dalarna University Scholarships? Fee-paying international master’s applicants from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who apply to an eligible Dalarna University master’s programme.

Can European students apply? EU, EEA, and Swiss students generally do not pay tuition fees at Swedish public universities, so this scholarship is not designed for them.

Can African students apply? Yes, students of any nationality who are required to pay tuition fees are eligible.

Can Asian students apply? Yes, this scholarship is open to fee-paying international students of all nationalities.

Can Pakistani or Indian students apply? Yes, as long as you meet the fee-paying and admission criteria.

Is IELTS mandatory? Yes, standard English language requirements apply for admission to your chosen master’s programme, though the scholarship criteria themselves do not add an extra language requirement.

Is there an application fee? There is no fee for the scholarship application itself, though standard Swedish university application fees may apply to your programme application.

Can married students apply? Yes, marital status does not affect scholarship eligibility.

Can I bring my family? This depends on Swedish residence permit rules for dependents, which are separate from the scholarship itself.

What GPA is required? There is no minimum GPA to apply, but the Academic Excellence Scholarship requires 15 of your 30 semester credits to be at the top possible grade.

Can I work while studying? Non-EU/EEA students on a Swedish residence permit for studies may generally work alongside their studies, subject to Swedish immigration rules.

How many students are selected? There is no cap. Every student who meets the published criteria receives the scholarship.

Can I apply for multiple programmes? You can apply to multiple programmes through UniversityAdmissions.se, but only your first-choice ranking is used for the Choose Dalarna First Scholarship.

Is age important? No age limit is specified for these scholarships.

What happens after selection? For Choose Dalarna First, the tuition reduction is applied automatically to your invoice. For Academic Excellence, you continue applying each qualifying semester.

How competitive is this scholarship? It is not competitive in the traditional sense. It is criteria-based, so every eligible applicant receives the award.

Can I apply with a pending degree? Yes, as long as you meet Dalarna University’s general admission requirements for your chosen master’s programme.

What expenses are not covered? Living costs, accommodation, and travel are not covered by these scholarships; only tuition fees are reduced.

Can I defer the scholarship? The Choose Dalarna First Scholarship is tied to a specific intake, so deferring your admission would mean reapplying under that new intake’s terms.

Can I apply if I already have another scholarship? You can apply for both a Dalarna University scholarship and an SI scholarship, but if you are awarded an SI scholarship, your Dalarna University scholarship will not be applied.

How will I know if I’m selected? Dalarna University publishes a list of admitted students who meet the Choose Dalarna First criteria by 1 April or 1 November. For the Academic Excellence Scholarship, you will see an on-screen confirmation after submitting your application, though no confirmation email is sent.

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Final Summary

The Dalarna University Masters Scholarships give international students a transparent, criteria-based way to reduce their tuition costs while studying in Sweden. Whether you’re aiming for the guaranteed Choose Dalarna First reduction or the ongoing rewards of the Academic Excellence Scholarship, the key is to rank Dalarna University as your first choice, apply on time, and keep up strong academic performance throughout your programme. Mark the 15 February and 15 September deadlines in your calendar, and don’t miss your window to apply. Always check the official Dalarna University website for the latest scholarship terms before applying.

Official Link