Do public universities in Sweden require English proficiency tests like IELTS, and what band score is needed for a Master's?

Yes, your masters application in Sweden needs proof of English proficiency, though you do not always have to sit the IELTS specifically. Your standard target, called English 6, means an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no individual section below 5.5. You can skip the test entirely if your prior degree was taught fully in English, your high school background already meets English 6, or you submit an accepted alternative like TOEFL, PTE, or Cambridge English instead.

Sweden Masters English Requirements At A Glance

Ways To Skip The IELTS Requirement

• A prior bachelors degree taught entirely in English from an approved country
• 60 ECTS credits or more taught in English within the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or select English-speaking countries
• A high school curriculum from your home country that automatically satisfies English 6, check UniversityAdmissions.se for your specific country
• An alternative accepted test such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency

My Advice

Check your country-specific waiver rules on UniversityAdmissions.se before you book any English test, since your high school or prior degree may already clear you automatically. If you do need to sit a test, aim comfortably above 6.5 overall on the IELTS so a single weak section, like writing, does not put your application at risk.