Official Examinations and Tests in Swedish

For university studies and professional licensing (advanced level)

These tests assess level C1 according to the CEFR scale and are often required for academic studies or by the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) for foreign healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.).

Tisus (Test in Swedish for University Studies)

Level: Corresponds to C1.
Purpose: Provides formal eligibility in Swedish for studies at Swedish universities and colleges. Also approved by Socialstyrelsen for licensure in healthcare.
Content: Consists of three parts: reading comprehension, written proficiency, and oral proficiency.

Folkuniversitetet’s C1 Test

Level: C1.
Purpose: Developed specifically to meet Socialstyrelsen’s requirements for licensure for doctors, dentists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals from countries both within and outside the EU/EEA.

General language certificates (for employment and CVs)

Swedex

Levels: Available for A2, B1, and B2.
Purpose: An internationally recognized certificate that tests practical language skills for everyday life and work. Approved by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).
Content: Tests reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written proficiency, and oral communication.

Language certificates in Finland (for citizenship and employment)

YKI Test (National Certificate of Language Proficiency / Yleiset kielitutkinnot)

Levels: Divided into three overall levels covering A1 to C2 (scale 1–6):
- Basic level: YKI 1–2 (corresponds to A1–A2)
- Intermediate level: YKI 3–4 (corresponds to B1–B2)
- Highest level: YKI 5–6 (corresponds to C1–C2)
Purpose: Official national language test in Finland for adults. Widely used for jobs in the public sector and for applications for Finnish citizenship (requires a passing result at the intermediate level, at least YKI 3 / B1).

Within the regular education system in Sweden

SFI Tests (Swedish for Immigrants) and SVA (Swedish as a Second Language)

SFI Final Test: Taken for course B (A1/A2), course C (A2/B1), and course D (B1). Demonstrates basic language proficiency.
Swedish as a Second Language 3 (SVA 3): Studied at upper-secondary level via municipal adult education (Komvux) or upper-secondary school. Corresponds to C1 and grants formal eligibility for higher education (equivalent to Tisus).

Language requirements for Swedish citizenship (new knowledge requirement)

Information from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket):

Knowledge of Swedish and of Swedish society will become mandatory for applicants between the ages of 16 and 66. This knowledge can be demonstrated through, among other things, school grades, SFI course D, municipal adult education (komvux), and folkhögskola. If it is not possible to demonstrate this knowledge, applicants will be offered the option to take a citizenship test.

The citizenship test will be introduced in stages. The first part will be available in August 2026 and will cover knowledge of Swedish society. A test in Swedish will follow at a later date.

The Migration Agency is responsible for processing citizenship applications and directing applicants to register for the test, while the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) is responsible for developing, administering, and scoring the test.

Summary overview table

Test / Certificate	Equivalent level / Eligibility	Main purpose	Notes
SFI Course D	B1 (rough estimate)	Basic Swedish education	Valid as proof of knowledge for Swedish citizenship.
Swedex A2 / B1 / B2	A2, B1, B2	Employment, CVs, general language level	Internationally recognized by ALTE.
The new citizenship test	Civics + Swedish	For applicants (16–66) lacking school grades	Civics part starts Aug 2026; language part to follow later. Developed by UHR.
YKI Test (intermediate level)	B1 / B2	Finnish citizenship, work in Finland	Official national test in Finland.
Tisus	C1	University studies, healthcare licensure	Grants general eligibility for higher education in Sweden.
Folkuniversitetet C1	C1	Healthcare licensure (Socialstyrelsen)	Specifically adapted for foreign healthcare professionals.
Swedish as a Second Language 3 (SVA 3)	C1	Upper-secondary qualification / university	Studied via Komvux/upper-secondary school; grants higher-education eligibility.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Tisus and the Folkuniversitetet C1 test?

Both test Swedish at level C1, but they serve slightly different purposes. Tisus gives general eligibility for studies at Swedish universities and colleges and is also accepted by Socialstyrelsen for healthcare licensure. The Folkuniversitetet C1 test was developed specifically to meet Socialstyrelsen’s licensing requirements for doctors, dentists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals trained outside Sweden.

What is Swedex, and who is it for?

Swedex is an internationally recognized certificate (approved by ALTE) that tests practical Swedish skills for everyday life and work. It is available at levels A2, B1, and B2, and covers reading, listening, writing, and speaking. It is commonly used to demonstrate language skills for employment and on a CV.

What is the YKI test, and is it relevant in Sweden?

The YKI test (Yleiset kielitutkinnot) is Finland’s official national language test, not a Swedish test. It covers levels A1–C2, divided into basic (YKI 1–2), intermediate (YKI 3–4), and highest (YKI 5–6) levels. It is mainly used for jobs in Finland’s public sector and for Finnish citizenship applications, which require at least YKI 3 (B1).

What is SFI, and which course do I need?

SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) is part of Sweden’s regular adult education system. The SFI final test is taken for course B (A1/A2), course C (A2/B1), or course D (B1), and shows basic Swedish proficiency. SFI course D is also one of the ways to document the language knowledge required for Swedish citizenship.

What is SVA 3, and what does it lead to?

Svenska som andraspråk 3 (Swedish as a Second Language 3, SVA 3) is an upper-secondary level course taken via Komvux or upper-secondary school. It corresponds to level C1 and grants the same general eligibility for higher education as Tisus.

Will I need to take a test to become a Swedish citizen?

Under the new requirements, applicants for Swedish citizenship between the ages of 16 and 66 must demonstrate knowledge of Swedish and of Swedish society. This can be shown through existing documentation such as school grades, SFI course D, Komvux, or folk high school (folkhögskola). If you cannot document this in another way, you will be offered the option to take the new citizenship test.

When does the new citizenship test start, and what does it cover?

The citizenship test is being introduced in stages. The first part, covering knowledge of Swedish society, starts in August 2026. A separate test covering the Swedish language will be introduced at a later date.

Who is responsible for the new citizenship test?

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) processes citizenship applications and directs applicants to register for the test. The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) is responsible for developing, administering, and scoring the test itself.

Which test should I choose if I want to work in Swedish healthcare?

If you trained as a doctor, nurse, dentist, or other healthcare professional outside Sweden, Socialstyrelsen requires Swedish at level C1 for licensure. Both Tisus and the Folkuniversitetet C1 test are accepted, with the latter designed specifically for this purpose.

Which test should I choose if I just want to prove my Swedish for a job application?

For general employment purposes and CVs, Swedex (A2, B1, or B2) is a practical, internationally recognized option. If you need formal eligibility for higher education instead, Tisus or SVA 3 (both C1) are more appropriate.

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