Tisus (Test in Swedish for University Studies)

Tisus is a qualifying test in Swedish for people who want to study at a Swedish university and lack a Swedish-language certificate. Stockholm University runs it. It has three parts: reading comprehension, written proficiency and oral proficiency. Each is graded pass or fail, and you must pass all three. A passed result is treated as a grade for university admission and, Stockholm University says, has no expiry date.

To get a Swedish licence you must prove Swedish by the time you apply. Socialstyrelsen accepts, among other things, Swedish 3 from adult education, Swedish at CEFR level C1, or a course or exam that meets the entry requirements for higher education in Sweden. Tisus is designed to give that university eligibility, which is why many applicants use it. Socialstyrelsen's pages do not name Tisus, so check with Socialstyrelsen if you are unsure your result will be accepted.

Tisus is also an advantage because it can be taken abroad, so you can prepare before you move.

Tisus runs twice a year. Stockholm University lists 11 to 12 May 2027 and 26 to 27 October 2027 in Sweden, with sittings abroad on the first day of each. In Sweden it is held in six towns. Abroad it runs at about 70 places, with no fixed centres, wherever there is demand and a test leader.

1. Register in the application window. For spring 2027 this is 22 February to 2 April 2027 in Sweden; abroad you report interest from 11 January to 19 March 2027.
2. Pay the fee by the deadline (26 March 2027 for spring abroad). You are not fully registered until it is paid.
3. Bring valid photo ID on the day.

From 2026 the fee in Sweden is SEK 2,380 for the full test and SEK 1,190 for a retake. Abroad it is SEK 2,875 and SEK 1,440, and test leaders abroad often charge an extra fee on the day. Cancelling brings only a partial refund.

Marking takes about five weeks and results are emailed. If you fail one part, you retake only that part within a year, at one of the next two sittings. If you fail two or three parts, you take the whole test again.

Tisus tests whether your Swedish is good enough for academic courses taught in Swedish, so plan a long period of study before you sit it. Stockholm University publishes sample tests and offers a 30-credit qualifying course in Swedish that gives the same eligibility as Tisus. Because the doctors' and nurses' kunskapsprov, the law course and clinical training are all in Swedish, reaching this level early helps with every later step, not only the licence application.

• Old practice papers. Stockholm University warns that the current test is harder than older samples.
• Missing the window. Registration is only open for a few weeks each term.
• Assuming a seat in your town. Places are limited and you may be sent elsewhere.