Study in Sweden without IELTS - Top Universities, Requirements
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Study in Sweden without IELTS - Top Universities, Requirements

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Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Oct 6, 2025 11:12 IST

Do you want to study in Sweden but don’t have IELTS score? Don’t worry, we got you. In this article, we will tell about Swedish universities without IELTS, how to meet ELP requirements, and ways to study in Sweden without IELTS.

Many international students want to study in Sweden but they worry about IELTS requirement. Lucky many top Swedish universities take students without IELTS if they have other English proficiency. Some popular universities like Lund University, Uppsala University, University of Gothenburg accept students without IELTS. For example, if you study in English before or did other tests like TOEFL, maybe you no need IELTS.

This make it easy for students from different countries to join higher education in Sweden. Many courses are in English and focus on research and practical learning, so Sweden is good place for students around world.

In this article, we will see how international students can apply to Swedish universities and meet English language requirements without IELTS.

Table of content
  • Why Choose Sweden?
  • English Language Requirements to Study in Sweden Without IELTS
  • Student Visa Requirements Without IELTS in Sweden
  • How to meet the English language requirement without IELTS?
  • Accepted Tests in Sweden Instead of IELTS
  • Top Universities in Sweden without IELTS

Why Choose Sweden?

Sweden is known for its new teaching ways and focus on research. The country has many courses in English, so students can learn in a multicultural place. About 86% people speak English, so international students can live and go around easily without knowing Swedish.

English Language Requirements to Study in Sweden Without IELTS

To study in Sweden, international students need to show they know English, same as Swedish upper secondary English 6. There are other ways also to prove English proficiency without taking IELTS. These options work for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and change by university and program. Some postgraduate courses need English 5 or English 7.

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Student Visa Requirements Without IELTS in Sweden

The accepted alternatives include:

  • Confirmation of admission from a Swedish university specifying that language requirements have been met

  • MOI certificates

  • TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, or Cambridge test scores

How to meet the English language requirement without IELTS?

International students applying to Swedish universities must show that they have English language requirements. The most obvious way to show it is via IELTS test. However, students from some countries do not need to give IELTS test. India is one such country, and we will further discuss the ways to meet the English language requirements without giving IELTS.

Upper Secondary Education

  • Grades in English and at least three other subjects, with English as the language of instruction
  • English grades from:
    • CISCE
    • CBSE

Previous Higher Education

  • Bachelor’s degree taught in English, equivalent to Swedish kandidatexamen
  • Institution listed in:
    • International Handbook of Universities (WHED)
    • World Directory of Medical Schools

At least one year of full-time university education above kandidatexamen, taught entirely in English.

Accepted Tests in Sweden Instead of IELTS

Some universities accept other standardized tests, such as:







Test

Minimum Score

TOEFL iBT

90+

PTE Academic

62+

Cambridge (CAE/CPE)

Grade C or better

Duolingo English Test

110+

Top Universities in Sweden without IELTS

Here are some of the top universities where you can study without IELTS:

These colleges offer many programs for international students and give good academic experience.

Sweden is very popular for higher education for students going to Europe. Swedish universities are top in the world and give best quality education. Most master’s programs in Sweden are in English, so you need to show English proficiency. You can show it by English tests like IELTS, but not only tests, there are other ways too.

Other ways can meet the English language requirements. These requirements change by country and by course. Most programs need English 6, some need English 5, some need English 7. So it is better for international students to check country-specific English requirements and course pages for correct info on studying in Sweden.

Q:   Which universities in Sweden accept students without IELTS?
A:

Some top universities include:

  • Lund University

  • KTH Royal Institute of Technology

  • Uppsala University

  • University of Gothenburg

Q:   Is Duolingo accepted in Sweden instead of IELTS?
A:

Yes, many universities now accept the Duolingo English Test as a valid alternative to IELTS.

Q:   Will I face issues with the visa process if I don’t submit IELTS score?
A:

As long as your university confirms English proficiency, or you submit an acceptable test score or MOI certificate, visa processing should proceed smoothly. 

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About the Author
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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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priyakant
Germany, France, Ireland and Sweden Expert
Priyakant Sharma brings over 14 years of diverse experience in operations management, team leadership, and devising sales/merchandising strategies for multi-unit retail chains across Europe and India. Transitioning Read Full Bio
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