Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
English 6 test scores
Umeå's entry requirements page gives English 6 as IELTS 6.5 (no section below 5.5) or TOEFL 90; the full list is on the national English language requirements.
| 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.
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Bachelor's level and higher requirements
For bachelor's studies Umeå also asks for English proof by a recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous studies. For master's, it notes that results below second class and study results under 50% are not accepted, and that some programmes have a higher English requirement.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Umeå University programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Umeå University 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 Umeå University need?+
IELTS 6.5 with no section below 5.5 for most master's courses and programmes, the English 6 level.
What TOEFL does Umeå need?+
Umeå gives TOEFL 90 for English 6. On the new TOEFL scale, the national rule is 4.5 with no section below 4.
Does Umeå University accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 62 with Writing 61 meets English 6 under the national rules.
Does Umeå accept an Indian bachelor's instead of IELTS?+
India is not on the national list of countries whose degrees meet English 6, so most Indian applicants need a test.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Sweden
- University of Gothenburg IELTS requirement
- Uppsala University IELTS requirement
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- 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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