University English requirements

What IELTS score do you need for Uppsala University?

Uppsala University asks most bachelor's and master's applicants for English level 2 (English 6): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no section below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 90 with 20 in the written test. Some master's set their own bar: International Humanitarian Action asks 6.5 with no section below 6.0, Euroculture 6.5 in every section, and the Master's Programme in English needs English level 3.
  • Checked against official sources · 8 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS

Bachelor's English requirement

Uppsala's bachelor's entry requirements say that for most programmes you need the equivalent of English level 2/English 6, usually shown with IELTS Academic 6.5 (no section below 5.5) or TOEFL iBT 90 with 20 in the written test. English-taught programmes such as the Bachelor's Programme in Holocaust and Genocide Studies use the same English level 2 requirement and point to Universityadmissions.se for the detail.

Universityadmissions.se also accepts PTE Academic 62 (writing 61), TOEFL iBT 4.5 with no section below 4 for results from 21 January 2026, and Cambridge C1 Advanced 180. Duolingo is not on its list.

Master's English requirement: general and programme-specific

The master's entry requirements repeat the English level 2 minimum, but some programme syllabuses set higher scores. The International Humanitarian Action and Euroculture syllabuses list their own minimums and also accept Cambridge CAE (C1) or CPE (C2).

ProgrammeIELTS AcademicTOEFL iBT
Most master's programmes6.5, no section below 5.590, written test 20
International Humanitarian Action6.5, no section below 6.093, written test 24
Euroculture6.5, no section below 6.593
Master's Programme in EnglishEnglish level 3: 7.0, no section below 6 (national scale)100, written test 20 (national scale)

Know your target? Check where you stand

Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.

Take a free scored IELTS mock →

Waivers, validity and the permit

Uppsala says you may meet English level 2 through previous high school or university studies, following the rules on Universityadmissions.se, such as 60 ECTS taught in English in the EU/EEA, Switzerland or listed English-speaking countries.

The Master's Programme in English is different: Uppsala says its English level 3 requirement generally cannot be met by having completed a degree taught in English and must be shown with an approved test, although a Swedish kandidatexamen with English as the main field meets it automatically.

University Admissions verifies IELTS online and can accept results older than two years if they can still be verified; TOEFL can be verified for up to two years after the test date. Uppsala's English pages we read do not set a separate English score for the student residence permit or visa.

Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Uppsala programme page and in your admission decision, so check it there before you book a test.

Frequently asked questions

Does Uppsala University accept PTE?+

Yes, through University Admissions in Sweden: PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online 62 with writing 61 meets English level 2. Programme syllabuses that set their own scores, such as Euroculture, list only IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge.

Does Uppsala accept Duolingo?+

Duolingo is not among the tests listed on Universityadmissions.se, and Uppsala's entry requirement pages do not mention it.

Is IELTS 6.5 with a 5.5 enough for every Uppsala master's?+

No. It meets the general requirement, but International Humanitarian Action needs no section below 6.0 and Euroculture needs 6.5 in every section.

Can an English-taught degree replace IELTS at Uppsala?+

For English level 2 it can in the cases University Admissions accepts. For the Master's Programme in English, Uppsala says an English-taught degree generally does not meet the requirement.

How old can my IELTS be?+

University Admissions says it can accept IELTS results older than two years as long as they are still available online for verification.

Keep reading

Related

Verified against the linked official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Take a free scored IELTS mock