How to Meet English Requirements for Studying in Sweden

To study in Sweden, you must prove English at the level your program requires. Most bachelor’s and master’s programs use English 6 (English Level 2). Some master’s programs ask for English 5 (Level 1) or English 7 (Level 3). You can meet the sweden english requirements through accepted school studies, certain university studies, or approved English tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge). Always confirm on University Admissions Sweden and your program page.

What English level Sweden requires in 2026?

Bachelor’s level (English 6 / English Level 2)

For bachelor’s programs, the general English requirement is English 6 (English Level 2).

Master’s level (usually English 6, sometimes English 5 or 7)

Most master’s programs also require English 6 (English Level 2). Some programs require English 5 (Level 1) or English 7 (Level 3). Always check the program page to confirm the exact level.

New course naming (since 2025)

Sweden updated course naming in 2025. You may see both styles online.

• English 6 = English Level 2
• English 7 = English Level 3

Ways to meet Sweden English requirements

University Admissions Sweden lists three main routes: an accepted English test, upper secondary studies in some countries, or certain university studies.

Option 1: Upper secondary studies (country specific rules)

Some countries’ school systems meet the English requirement through documented school English. This varies by country and by level.
Do this in order:

• Confirm the English level on your program page
• Check your country of study on the “required documents” page on University Admissions Sweden

Option 2: Previous university studies (English as main subject or credits in English)

You may meet English 6 (English Level 2) if:

• English is the main subject in a degree equivalent to a Swedish bachelor, or
• You completed 60 ECTS credits (or equivalent) taught in English in an EU or EEA country, Switzerland, or certain listed English speaking countries (with specific documentation rules).

University Admissions Sweden also lists bachelor’s degrees from certain African countries that meet the English requirement automatically.

Option 3: English tests accepted by University Admissions Sweden

All applicants can meet the requirement with an accepted English test score. University Admissions Sweden also requires online verification for test results.

Accepted English tests and minimum scores (official)

Use the official University Admissions Sweden list. Do not rely on random score lists from blogs.

IELTS accepted versions and scores

University Admissions Sweden accepts: IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, IELTS UKVI (Academic), and IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic). It does not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicator.

Minimum scores:

• English 7 (English Level 3): overall 7.0, no section below 6
• English 6 (English Level 2): overall 6.5, no section below 5.5

TOEFL iBT accepted versions and scores (including the January 2026 scoring note)

University Admissions Sweden accepts: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition.

Important note: TOEFL scoring requirements differ by test date.
For test results 21 January 2026 and later, University Admissions Sweden lists requirements on the 1 to 6 scale.
For test results 20 January 2026 and earlier, it lists:

• English 7: writing 20 (0 to 30), total 100
• English 6: writing 20 (0 to 30), total 90

PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online

Minimum scores:

• English 7 (English Level 3): 68 (writing 61)
• English 6 (English Level 2): 62 (writing 61)

University Admissions Sweden requires verification. You must assign your score to “University Admissions in Sweden” in your PTE account so they can verify it online.

Cambridge English accepted versions and scores

• English 7 (English Level 3): C2 Proficiency (CPE), minimum overall score 200 (points since 2015)
• English 6 (English Level 2): C1 Advanced (CAE), minimum overall score 180 (points since 2015)

You must share results through the Cambridge Candidate Results portal so Sweden can verify them.

Important verification rules (online verification, what they do not accept)

University Admissions Sweden verifies scores online. If they cannot verify, they do not accept the result.
They also state that a simple certificate or letter from your school or university is not enough, with one narrow exception linked to the 60 ECTS rule described on the same page.

Tips for students applying from Pakistan

Students from Pakistan often ask, “Do I need IELTS for Sweden?” The honest answer is: not always, but you must prove English through an accepted route and meet the program’s level. The safest path for many applicants is an accepted English test, because it creates clear proof that Sweden can verify online.

How to choose the best path (test vs studies)?

• Choose English 6 or 7 based on your program page, not based on guesswork.
• If you plan to use school or university studies instead of a test, confirm the exact rule for your country of study on the required documents page.

Common mistakes that delay eligibility

• Booking the wrong IELTS type (General Training or Indicator)
• Uploading documents that Sweden cannot verify online
• Assuming English level without checking the program page
• Ignoring the TOEFL test date change (before vs after 21 Jan 2026)

How Dunya Consultants helps?

We help students choose the right English proof method, based on their program level and background. We also guide students through document planning, correct uploads, and verification steps. We keep the process simple and student friendly. We also ask students to verify final requirements on official University Admissions Sweden pages and university program pages because rules can change.

FAQs