English language entry requirement for admission to doctoral education
All applicants can show that they meet the requirement with the minimum accepted score on an internationally recognised English test. Upper secondary and university studies in some countries can also meet the requirement. The requirement is a level of English equivalent to the level of the Swedish upper secondary school course English B/6. No exception from meeting the English language requirement is approved. We do not make any assessment of equivalent knowledge in English.
In the information below, we refer to the University Admissions website for more information on how you can meet the English language entry requirement. However, note that you should not submit your application to University Admissions, nor should you send any documents to them for verification. Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. The available PhD positions are posted here.
Internationally recognised language proficiency tests in English
Karolinska Institutet accepts the following language profiency tests in English:
- IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, IELTS UKVI (Academic) and IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic)
- TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
- University of Michigan, Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)
- Pearson PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online
- Cambridge English Qualifications/University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).
Please note that there are different types of English language tests in different levels, even among those tests listed above. You find information about the internationally recognised tests and the minimum score requirements here.
Kindly note that several language tests are only valid a certain amount of time.
The specific entry requirement in English language proficiency for doctoral education at KI is the same as that for master level studies in Sweden.
Meeting the English requirement through previous university studies
Nordic region
The Nordic region includes Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland.
Applicants who meet the general entry requirements through academic credentials (points 1 or 2, chapter 7, 39§ Higher Education Ordinance) from a Nordic higher education institution are assessed to meet the English language requirement. This means that applicants who fulfill the general entry requirements through academic credentials from a Nordic higher education institution, only need to submit documents that certify the general entry requirements.
Applicants meet the general entry requirement, through points 1 or 2, chapter 7, 39§ Higher Education Ordinance, for education at doctoral level if they:
- have been awarded a degree at the advanced (second-cycle) level, or
- have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded at the advanced level.
Outside the Nordic region
Applicants with ongoing or completed university studies in some other countries outside of the Nordic region can also in certain cases fulfill the English language entry requirement. You can find more information on how to meet the English language requirement through previous university studies outside the Nordic region here. For specific information regarding your country of studies, select your country of studies.
Should you find on the University Admissions website that academic credentials from your country of studies cannot be used to show that you meet the English language entry requirement, you must submit either accepted upper secondary credentials (should you find on the University Admissions website that they are accepted from your country of studies) or an English language proficiency test accepted by KI.
Academic programme in Medicine instructed in English
Applicants who have completed their university medical degrees (usually a medical programme degree with English as language of instruction) from a programme on a university which according to World Directory of Medical Schools has English as the only language on instruction can meet the English language entry requirement. The degree must not have been awarded more than ten years ago to be able to show that you meet the entry requirement regarding knowledge in English in this way.
Meeting the English requirement through upper secondary school studies
Swedish upper secondary school
If you are already registered (folkbokförd) in Sweden, you can complete the Swedish upper secondary school course English B/6 at your local kommunal vuxenutbildning (Komvux) which is upper secondary school for adults. You may also be able to take English B/6 as an exam. Please check the application dates with your municipality. You can also submit an excerpt from central admissions.
Foreign upper secondary school
You may also meet the English language requirement through your foreign upper secondary school education. This will depend on in which country you have completed your upper secondary school, in which year and which courses you have completed. Please scan the original upper secondary school diplomas and transcripts in color and attach them to your application at Varbi.
Should you find on the University Admissions website that upper secondary credentials from your country of studies cannot be used to show that you meet the English language entry requirement, you must submit either accepted academic documentation (should you find on the University Admissions website that they are accepted from your country of studies) or an English language proficiency test accepted by KI.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree with English as Language of Instruction. Do I still need to take a language proficiency test in English?
It depends on the documentation of your diplomas and which country you studied in. Note that the language requirement in English is the same for doctoral education level at KI as it is for master level studies.
I was born and raised in an English-speaking country, or I have citizenship in an English-speaking country. What applies for me?
Even you who have English as native language (mother tongue) or have citizenship in an English-speaking country is obligated to prove your language proficiency in English formally to meet the KI specific eligibility requirement.
Which English language proficiency tests do KI accept? Could you tell med exactly where does KI place the cut-off for accepting the language test score?
KI accepts several English language proficiency tests. The scores differ among the different tests.
Can I meet the specific eligibility requirement in English proficiency through upper secondary studies or Municipality Adult education?
You who have Swedish upper secondary studies or Municipality adult education in English B/6 can submit your grades, or an excerpt, from central Admission to your application in Varbi.
Will KI accept a letter from my home University about the language of instruction, or does the language of instruction need to be stated on the officially issued Degree, Transcript of Records or Diploma Supplement?
It depends on which country your bachelor's and master's degree studies are from.
Contact
Team Doctoral Eligibility
Case officers Linda Asplund, Emelie Degard and Sabina SandénIf your question regarding the specific entry requirement, language proficiency in English, has not already been answered by the information on this page, you can send us an e-mail to our mailbox. It is monitored daily during working days. Kindly note, however, that Karolinska Institutet does not make any preliminary assessments.
Team of case officers working with education at doctoral level in the Admissions unit at Karolinska Institutet.