Proof of Proficiency in English and Swedish until Autumn 2011
To be accepted for studies you need to prove that you have sufficient knowledge of the language that the classes will be taught in. If you are applying for courses or programmes that are taught entirely in English, you only have to provide proof concerning your level of English. You only have to prove your proficiency in Swedish if you are applying for courses or programmes that are taught in Swedish.
Basic Proficiency in English
Proficiency in English can be proven by supplying test scores from one of the following internationally approved tests:
- IELTS Academic Training - minimu score 5.0 with no individual score below 4.5 (Tests taken before January 2005 are not admissable)
- TOEFL - Score minimum 500 on paper-based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE. Alternatively, 173 on computer-based test or with Internet-based Test (iBT) 61
- Cambridge Certificate in English - Grade A or B
- Michigan English Language Assessment (MELAB) - minimum score 85
Language test scores are not required if:
- You have completed a minimum of two years of studies at an accredited university or college with English as the medium of instruction. There are some exemptions to this rule.
- You have completed one year of graduate studies and have written your thesis in English.
- You have studied English in secondary school for at least eight years or have had English as the language of instruction throughout your upper secondary school education. If this is the case you may be able to meet the requirements with your upper secondary/high school results (post 16).
Special English Requirements
Some courses /programmes require a higher level of English. The actual level of English needed is specified in the information about the specific course or programme in the online course catalogue.
Proficiency in higher levels of English can be proven by test scores from one of the following internationally approved tests:
- IELTS Academic Training - minimum score 6.0 with no individual score below 5.0 (Tests taken before January 2005 are not admissible)
- TOEFL - minimum score 550 on paper-based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE. Alternatively 213 on computer-based test or with Internet-based Test (iBT) Total score of 79 (Writing 17 or higher)
- University of Cambridge/Oxford Certificate in Advanced English/Certificate of Proficiency/Diploma of English Studies
- Oxford Delegacy Higher Examination
- Michigan English Language Assessment (MELAB) - minimum score 90
- Advanced Placement International English (APIEL)
You are also considered to meet the requirements for the higher level of English proficiency if you have:
- One of the following certificates of upper secondary studies: General Certificate of Education (GCE) O-level/ General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) with a grade of C or higher, International Baccalaureat (IB) with English B/ A1 or A2, SL with grade 4, German Abitur with English as Leistungskurs or first foreign language
- At least two years of university studies in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain.
- A Bachelor's degree from a university where English is the only language of instruction, according to the latest edition of International Handbook of Universities.
- A Bachelor's degree (a Swedish Kandidatexamen or equivalent academic qualifications) with English as the major subject.
- Have a 4-year Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Natural Science or Technology from India or Pakistan. Exception: Please note that for the Master's programmes in Molecular Biology and Strategic Entrepreneurship at Umeå University the above mentioned exemption from a formal test does not apply. To meet the English requirement for these programmes you need an Internationally recognised test or a completed Master's degree that was studied a University with English as the only medium of instructions (not at an affiliated/constituent college).
Proficiency in Swedish
To study one of the programmes or courses that are taught in Swedish you must prove that you have sufficient proficiency in Swedish. This can be done through the TISUS test or by completing the three semester Foundation Course at our university. Find more information about the Tisus test and the Foundation Course under Related Inforamtion.
