Swedex vs TISUS: Which Swedish Test?

Swedex and Tisus are the two Swedish tests people most often ask about. They're built for different jobs: Swedex certifies a general CEFR level, while Tisus is an entry ticket to Swedish-taught university study. And there's a big change coming: Swedex is being discontinued at the end of 2026. Here's what each test is and which one makes sense for your goal.

The short answer

• Want to study at a Swedish university in Swedish? Tisus. All Swedish universities recognise it for eligibility; Swedex generally doesn't give university eligibility.
• Need proof for citizenship? Tisus is on Migrationsverket's list of accepted proof. Swedex is mentioned only as an example during a transitional period, and the test itself ends in December 2026. If you live in Sweden, SFI or Komvux grades are often the more realistic route.
• Want a general certificate of your level? Swedex has done that job, but only until 31 December 2026.

Swedex: a CEFR certificate, ending in 2026

Swedex is an international certificate test in Swedish as a foreign language, run by Folkuniversitetet and open to anyone whose mother tongue isn't Swedish. According to Folkuniversitetet:

• It comes in two versions, an A2B1 test and a B2C1 test, and certifies levels from A1 up to C1 depending on your result.
• It tests all four skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. Since 2022 the result shows your level in each skill as well as an overall level.
• The overall level on the certificate is always the lowest of your skill levels; you also get a separate document with each part's result (FAQ).
• It can be taken in Sweden and at test centres abroad.

The most important fact right now: Folkuniversitetet states that from 31 December 2026 it will no longer be possible to take Swedex (examination dates). A retake of one part (restprov) has to be done within 6 months of the original test and no later than 31 December 2026 (FAQ). If you were planning on Swedex, check the remaining sessions on the dates page and contact the test centre directly; registration and prices are handled by each centre.

Tisus: the university eligibility test

Tisus (Test i svenska för universitets- och högskolestudier) is run by Stockholm University's Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism. It's aimed at people with upper secondary education from abroad who want to apply for academic studies in Sweden and don't have Swedish school grades.

• It has three parts: reading comprehension, writing and speaking. You must pass all three to pass Tisus (About Tisus).
• The speaking part is a conversation that is video-recorded (Tisus FAQ).
• If you fail one part, you can retake just that part within a year of your first attempt. Fail two or three parts and you retake the whole test.
• Tisus is not linked to CEFR. Its level corresponds to the upper secondary courses Swedish 3 and Swedish as a second language 3 (Tisus FAQ).
• A pass works like a grade: it has no expiry date (same source).
• It runs in May and October/November each year, in Sweden and abroad. Check the current dates and registration periods on Stockholm University's Tisus page.

Tisus is a proficiency test, so Stockholm University says there are no specific preparation courses for it. If you're unsure whether you'll pass, it points to Swedish as a foreign language courses and the 30-credit Behörighetsgivande kurs i svenska, which gives the same eligibility (Tisus FAQ).

Which test for which goal?

University study in Swedish

Tisus is one of the listed ways to meet the Swedish part of basic eligibility, alongside Swedish 3 from Komvux or folk high school and an eligibility-giving university course (Antagning.se). Folkuniversitetet itself says Swedex does not generally make you eligible for university studies (FAQ).

Citizenship

The citizenship requirement is B1 for reading and listening and A2 for speaking and writing. Migrationsverket lists a pass on Tisus among the accepted proofs. Swedex appears only as an example of "another test showing a functional level of Swedish" accepted during the transitional period, without a stated required result.

Two things to weigh:

• Tisus is pitched at university study, at the level of Swedish 3, not at the citizenship levels. If you already have that level, it's a solid proof. If you don't, preparing for Tisus just for citizenship is the hard way round.
• With Swedex ending, it isn't a route to plan around now. If you already hold a Swedex certificate, ask Migrationsverket whether it will be accepted for your application. Remember that the overall level on the certificate is your lowest skill, so look at the per-skill results too.

For many people living in Sweden, a pass in SFI course D or in Swedish from Komvux is the more direct proof. See our citizenship language requirement guide for the full list.

Licensed healthcare work

For professions licensed by Socialstyrelsen, the language rules are set per profession; for example, the psychologist route accepts Swedish 3, C1, or a course or exam that gives university eligibility (Socialstyrelsen). Folkuniversitetet says Socialstyrelsen accepts Swedex at C1 (FAQ), which is another reason the end of Swedex matters. On level, Folkuniversitetet places Tisus at roughly C1, while Stockholm University says Tisus isn't linked to CEFR. Check your own profession's page before choosing a test.

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