Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
UiS accepted English tests
From UiS's English language requirements for international applicants, updated 27 October 2026.
| Test | Minimum | Not accepted |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, Writing 6.0 | IELTS General, Indicator, IELTS Online, One Skill Retake |
| TOEFL iBT (before 21 Jan 2026) | 90 total, Writing 22 | MyBest Scores, Home Edition, Essentials, ITP |
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026) | 4.5 total, Writing 4.5 | As above |
| PTE Academic | 62 overall, Writing 53 | PTE Academic Online is accepted |
| Cambridge | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | No expiry date |
Exemptions
You may be exempt with at least one year of high school or university study in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, the US or New Zealand, or a bachelor's or 60 ECTS of a master's taught in English in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden.
Completing secondary school in some countries also exempts you; the UiS list includes Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are not on it, and a degree from those countries is not an exemption route, so plan on a test.
Free test: are you at UiS's score yet?
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Validity and deadlines
Results must be no more than two years old when you apply. Non-EU/EEA applicants must upload a result, or proof of a booked test, to Søknadsweb by 1 December 2026, with the final score due by 15 December 2026. EU/EEA and Swiss applicants have until 1 March 2027 and 1 May 2027.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UiS programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where University of Stavanger (UiS) 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 the University of Stavanger need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing for international master's programmes.
Does UiS accept IELTS Online or One Skill Retake?+
No. UiS does not accept IELTS General, IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online or One Skill Retake.
Does the University of Stavanger accept PTE?+
Yes, PTE Academic 62 overall with at least 53 in Writing. PTE Academic Online is accepted.
When must non-EU applicants send their IELTS to UiS?+
By 1 December 2026, or upload a test booking by then and send the result by 15 December 2026.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in Norway accepting IELTS 6.5
- IELTS for Norway
- University of Bergen IELTS requirement
- UiT IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 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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