Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
English 6 test scores
KI's apply for a master's programme page and bachelor's page set English 6/English Level 2 and point to the national English language requirements, where these scores are published.
| Test | Minimum for English 6 |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (incl. Online, UKVI, One Skill Retake) | 6.5 overall, no section below 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026) | 4.5, no section below 4 |
| TOEFL iBT (up to 20 Jan 2026) | 90, with 20 in the written test |
| PTE Academic / PTE Academic Online | 62 (Writing 61) |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Overall score 180 |
Studies that replace a test
University Admissions in Sweden lists other ways to meet English 6: a bachelor's degree with English as the main subject; 60 ECTS credits taught in English in the EU/EEA, Switzerland or a listed English-speaking country such as the UK, USA or Australia; or a bachelor's degree from a listed African country, including Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are not on these lists, so applicants from there normally need a test. Duolingo is not on the list of tests.
Free test: are you at Karolinska Institutet's score yet?
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Who checks what
You apply through universityadmissions.se, which reviews the general entry requirements, documents and English. KI's Admissions Office checks programme-specific requirements, and programme staff rate your KI CV form. KI's site gives 15 January 2027 as the date to apply for master's programmes.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Karolinska Institutet programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Karolinska Institutet publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Karolinska Institutet need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 with no section below 5.5, the English 6 level KI sets for master's programmes and the Biomedicine bachelor's.
Does Karolinska accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 62 with Writing 61 meets English 6 under the national rules KI uses.
Does Karolinska accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Yes. University Admissions in Sweden accepts IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic).
When is the Karolinska master's deadline?+
KI gives 15 January 2027 as the date to apply for master's programmes starting in 2027.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Sweden
- Stockholm University IELTS requirement
- KTH IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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