Sweden is one of the northernmost countries in the world, with a population of around 10 million. Interestingly, 63% of Sweden is covered with forests, and the country has a coastline of 1,572 kilometers. Temperatures in Sweden can vary significantly from north to south.
In January, temperatures in the far north drop to as low as -16 degrees Celsius, while in the south they stay around 0 degrees Celsius. Sweden shares borders with Finland, Denmark, and Norway. With an area of almost 450,000 square kilometers, Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe and the fifth largest in Europe by land area.
The birthplace of the Nobel Prize, Sweden has long been recognized globally for social justice, equality, and fairness. The country is an attractive destination for tourists thanks to its unique lifestyle, numerous lakes, forests, and archipelagos.
Although Swedish and Finnish are widely spoken locally, many people in Sweden can speak English easily and fluently. Most companies and organizations in Sweden are able to carry out business transactions in English.
Sweden is also known for its high-quality education. Education at all levels is free for EU/EEA students; however, a new law requires universities to charge tuition fees to non-EU/EEA students. Non-EU students can expect to pay tuition fees in the range of US$10,000–$18,000, depending on the university and program.
The application process for Swedish universities is centralized. Students can apply to multiple universities and programs through a single online admissions portal.
Let’s see what some of the best universities in Sweden are and what their IELTS band requirements are.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in Sweden
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a globally recognized English proficiency exam that many non-native English-speaking students take to demonstrate their language skills. IELTS scores range from band 1 to 9, in increments of 0.5, and the test report is typically valid for two years.
Most universities in Sweden offering degree programs in English require IELTS test scores. Below are some universities in Sweden and their typical minimum IELTS band requirements.
| Institution Name | Min. Score (Undergraduate) | Min. Score (Graduate) |
|---|
| Karolinska Institute | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 |
| Lund University | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 |
| Uppsala University | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 |
| Stockholm University | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 |
| University of Gothenburg | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 |
| Chalmers University of Technology | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 | Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5 |
1. Karolinska Institute
Founded in 1810, Karolinska Institute is a research-intensive medical university located in Stockholm. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious medical universities in the world. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute selects the Nobel Prize laureates in Physiology or Medicine. Karolinska is renowned for cutting-edge medical research and is the largest center for academic medical research in Sweden. The university hosts thousands of students and staff members and has produced several Nobel Prize winners in medicine and physiology.
2. Lund University
Founded in 1666, Lund University is one of Sweden’s oldest and most prestigious universities and consistently ranks among the world’s top institutions. The university has campuses in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, and is home to tens of thousands of students and thousands of staff. It offers a wide variety of degree programs in fields such as humanities, social sciences, law, economics, medicine, science, and fine arts.
Here is what Lund University scholars say about IELTS:
“Yes, I took the IELTS exam and achieved an overall score of 7.5 out of 9, demonstrating strong English language proficiency necessary for academic studies in Sweden.”
Gultakin Safarli
“Since the program is taught in English, I took the IELTS exam in a rush after only a one-week self-study preparation. It was quite challenging, but I successfully completed it, which was a significant personal achievement in the application process.”
Narmin Abbasova
“In reality, applying for both the LUMID program and the SI scholarship is a detailed and time-consuming process. It means carefully preparing documents, tailoring motivation letters, meeting deadlines, and, in my case, taking the IELTS test to prove English proficiency.”
Nino
3. Uppsala University
Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is the oldest university in Sweden and one of the oldest in the Nordic region. It has played a major role in Sweden’s academic and cultural history. Uppsala University consistently appears among the top-ranked universities worldwide and hosts a large and diverse student body, including many international students.
4. Stockholm University
Stockholm University is a leading public university founded in 1878 and granted university status in 1960. It has four main faculties: law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It is one of Sweden’s largest universities, with tens of thousands of students and thousands of staff members, and offers numerous programs taught in English.
Here is what Stockholm University Scholars say about IELTS:
“Beyond formal undergraduate study, I spent countless practice hours on other professional certificates, earning a GMAT score of 740 (97th percentile) and an IELTS 8.0, which later proved crucial to my applications.”
Thi Thuan An Nguyen
5. University of Gothenburg
The University of Gothenburg, founded in 1891, is located in Sweden’s second-largest city. It is one of the country’s major comprehensive universities. The university is known for its strong research environment, international collaboration, and innovative approach to teaching and learning.
Here is what University of Gothenburg Scholars say about IELTS:
“I took the IELTS test and achieved a score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each band. I didn’t prepare intensively for it because I had already spent four years studying my undergraduate program entirely in English. This academic background gave me the confidence and ability to meet the required score without extensive preparation.”
Hoang Minh Triet
6. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Founded in 1827, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology is Sweden’s largest technical university and a leading institution in engineering and technology. KTH has multiple campuses, a strong research profile, and offers many Master’s programs taught in English.
7. Chalmers University of Technology
The Chalmers University of Technology, founded in 1829, focuses on technology, natural sciences, architecture, management, and maritime studies. It has a vibrant international community and strong industry connections.
IELTS Scores of Students Studying in Sweden
IELTS Scores in Sweden — FAQs
What IELTS score do universities in Sweden typically expect?
Most Swedish universities set the English requirement around IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 5.5 (e.g., Lund, Uppsala, KTH, Chalmers, Stockholm, Gothenburg). Ariful Amin at Malmö University even shared that he “double-checked the entry requirements … and IELTS 6.5” for his master’s in Applied Data Science.
Can I submit TOEFL (or other tests) instead of IELTS for Sweden?
Yes, many programs accept alternatives such as TOEFL (e.g., TOEFL iBT 90 with writing 20; PBT 575 with TWE 4.5) to meet Sweden’s English 6 requirement. Always check each programme page and UniversityAdmissions.se for the exact accepted proofs.
We hope this overview of IELTS band requirements for universities in Sweden was helpful. To explore more options, check out the Available Programs in Europe for international students.
