✅ OPPORTUNITIES FOR MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIP IN SWEDEN WITH A THIRD CLASS + WORK EXPERIENCE
🎓 1. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
- Eligibility:
- You must be from an eligible country (Nigeria is eligible ✅).
- You need at least 3,000 hours of relevant work experience (roughly 2 years).
- A completed undergraduate degree.
- Important Note:
- The SI Scholarship does NOT explicitly require a First or Second Class degree.
- If you have relevant experience, clear career goals, and leadership potential, you can be considered.
- Covers:
- 100% Tuition Fee
- Monthly Stipend (~SEK 11,000)
- Travel Grant
- Insurance
🔗 Apply and learn more here: https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/
🏫 2. University-Specific Scholarships (Less Strict with Grades)
Some Swedish universities review full profiles and may accept applicants with a Third Class, especially with:
- Solid experience (2+ years)
- Motivation letter
- Professional development, and
- Strong recommendations.
Examples:
▪️ Dalarna University Scholarships
- Tuition fee waivers up to 50%.
- Considers your career background and motivation.
🔗 https://www.du.se/en/study-at-du/international-students/scholarships/
▪️ Linnaeus University Scholarships
- Doesn’t always reject based on grade class.
- Considers work experience and potential.
🔗 https://lnu.se/en/education/more-information-for-international-students/scholarships/
▪️ University of Gävle Scholarships
- Open to students from Africa.
- Reviews complete academic and work background.
🔗 https://www.hig.se/Ext/En/University-of-Gavle/Apply-to-the-University/Scholarships.html
🌍 3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees (EU-Funded)
- Offers fully funded Master’s programs (taught across 2–3 European countries, including Sweden).
- Some programs accept applicants with Third Class + experience, especially if your experience matches the field.
🔗 Full list of Erasmus Mundus programs:
https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/emjmd-catalogue_en
🎯 STRATEGIES TO BOOST YOUR CHANCES
| ✅ AREA | WHAT TO DO |
|---|---|
| Work Experience | Highlight it in your CV and Motivation Letter. Show impact/results. |
| Certifications | Add short courses (Coursera, Udemy, Google, etc.) related to your field. |
| Motivation Letter | Share your journey: Third Class doesn’t define your potential. Show how your work experience shaped you. |
| Referees | Get one academic referee and one employer/supervisor to write strong, personal letters. |
| IELTS/TOEFL | Aim for IELTS 6.5–7.0 minimum if your degree was not taught in English. |
| Alternative Routes | Apply to “less competitive” universities or use Erasmus route and top-up programs. |
🔎 QUICK EXAMPLES OF COURSES TO TARGET
If you’re in fields like:
- ICT / Computer Science
- Business / Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Development
- Public Health
- Renewable Energy
You can find many Swedish programs open to you with the right documentation.
📄 SAMPLE DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
- BSc certificate and transcript (even if Third Class)
- Valid International Passport
- IELTS or TOEFL result (if needed)
- CV/Resume with detailed work history
- Letter of Motivation
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Work reference letter stating years and responsibilities
- Scholarship application form (if required)
- Proof of leadership or volunteer activities (if any)
