Erna Gruppen International Programme Scholarship

About the Erna Gruppen International Programme Scholarship

The scholarship aims to support academically strong international students who are required to pay tuition fees and who have applied to an eligible programme at Karlstad University.

The scholarship consists of a fixed amount of 100 000 SEK, which is distributed evenly across all tuition-fee instalments for the entire duration of the programme. This means that the reduction is applied proportionally each semester, rather than as a single lump sum.

Because tuition fees vary, the percentage of tuition covered differs:

• Most master’s programmes cost 190 000–300 000 SEK (2026/2027).
• Most bachelor’s programmes cost 285 000–450 000 SEK (2026/2027).

The scholarship does not cover living expenses, and applicants must demonstrate financial capability as required for a residence permit. Guidance is available on the Swedish Migration Agency website.

Applications for the 2026 scholarship period will be accepted from 16 January to 15 February 2026.

To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, applicants must first apply for a bachelor’s or master’s programme at Karlstad University starting in the autumn semester and ensure that the application fee has been paid (unless exempt). Late applications will not be considered.

Application period: 16 January - 15 February 2026

How to apply: The application form will be published on this page on 16 January 2026.

Eligible programmes (academic year 2026/2027)

For the academic year 2026/2027, the scholarship applies to the following programmes:

• Master Programme in Accounting and Control
• Master programme in applied economics and advanced analytical methods
• Master programme in Geomedia Studies: Media, Mobility and Spatial Planning
• Master Programme in Information Systems
• Master Programme in Innovation and Service Development
• Master Programme in Management: Sustainable Value Creation
• Master Programme in Marketing

Only applicants admitted to one of the eligible programmes listed above will be considered for the scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
• Have applied for an eligible bachelor’s or master’s programme at Karlstad University starting in autumn 2026.
• Have paid the application fee at University Admissions (unless exempt).

Applicants are not eligible if they:

• Have lived in Sweden for more than two years when the scholarship period begins.
• Hold a permanent residence permit or work permit in Sweden.
• Already hold a master’s degree from a Swedish university.
• Have received a scholarship from the Swedish Institute or other Swedish funding bodies.

Documents Required for the Scholarship Application

Applicants must upload the following documents when submitting the scholarship application. Preparing these materials in advance is strongly recommended:

• Transcript of Records (official academic transcripts from previous studies)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV), maximum 3 pages
• Personal Motivation Letter, maximum 500 words, describing academic goals, motivation for the chosen programme, and future aspirations
• Copy of Passport (showing personal data and citizenship)

Letters of Reference (optional)

To strengthen your application, you may submit one or a maximum of two letters of reference from different referees. The letters may support your merits in one or more of the following areas:

• Academic qualifications: Previous academic performance, study achievements, or research potential (e.g., course performance, projects, thesis supervision).
• Professional experience: Work experience or internships, including responsibilities or accomplishments in a professional role.
• Community and extracurricular engagement: Voluntary work, leadership roles, or involvement in organisations or projects outside formal studies (e.g., NGOs, community projects, student organisations).

All letters must be typed, printed, signed, and stamped with an official organisation/company stamp (or notary), then scanned and uploaded as a single PDF file in the application form.

How To Apply

1. Apply for a programme

Submit an application via www.universityadmissions.se during the national application period.

2. Pay the application fee

Your programme application must be complete, including payment of the application fee (unless exempt).

3. Submit the scholarship application

When the scholarship application period opens (16 January–15 February 2026), a link to the online application formwill be published on this page.

Only complete scholarship applications submitted through the official link within the application period will be considered.

Scholarship Conditions

• The scholarship is valid only for the programme for which it is awarded.
• The scholarship is initially granted for one semester. It will automatically be extended for the full duration of the programme if the student’s study results are satisfactory and the scholarship regulations are fulfilled.
• The 100 000 SEK scholarship amount is divided equally across the tuition-fee payments for each semester, reducing the amount the student pays every semester during the programme.
• If you defer your admission, the scholarship may become invalid.
• If you change programmes, the scholarship may be withdrawn.

Selection Process

Selection takes place alongside programme admissions. Priority is given to applicants who:

• Demonstrate strong academic performance.
• Show clear relevance and motivation for the chosen programme.
• Express a strong commitment to studying at Karlstad University.
• Have selected a Karlstad University programme as their first choice at University Admissions.

Please note: The scholarship is merit-based only; financial need is not considered.

Scholarship Results

• Scholarship recipients will be notified by email at the end of April.
• Awardees must accept the scholarship within the deadline stated in the award letter.
• The scholarship amount is deducted directly from the tuition fee, reducing the amount the student is required to pay.
• The 100 000 SEK scholarship amount is deducted directly from each semester’s tuition fee, distributed evenly according to the programme length.