Learn Swedish
English may be the working language at research institutions and it may also be sufficient to use English in everyday life, since most Swedes are reasonably fluent in English. However, good Swedish skills facilitate the start of your new life in Sweden and you may find that learning Swedish will help you to integrate more easily. Swedish can also boost your career opportunities since many employers value bilingual or multilingual candidates who can speak Swedish and English.
According to the Language Act Swedish is the main language in Sweden. Good knowledge of Swedish is also needed in day-to-day work, in teaching, for leadership assignments and in contacts with the surrounding community. Being able to speak and write in Swedish is also often crucial when applying for a job in Sweden.
There is a wide range of Swedish courses available.
Learn Swedish in advance
Tips from the Swedish Institute
Folkuniversitetet also offers a number of distance learning courses. Other possibilities on the internet to learn Swedish are duolingo, digitala spåret.
The MedineLingua website was developed into a comprehensive resource to support learning of medical languages.
Practice Swedish with Emely – Free Access for Doctoral Students & Postdocs (April–September 2026)
We are happy to offer you free access to Emely, an AI based tool for practicing spoken Swedish, between 1 April 2026 and 30 September 2026.
Please note that we have 100 spots available, offered on a first come, first served basis.
Emely is a conversational AI designed specifically for language learners. It allows you to practice Swedish through guided dialogues, choose from a variety of everyday and professional topics, and receive feedback on your answers. You can speak or type, and each session is saved so you can review your progress. It works as a responsive, mobile‑friendly web application.
Based on earlier pilot testing at KI, we recommend Emely for learners at level A2 and above. Several testers found that the tool can be too easy for those at B1/B2 level, who may prefer more advanced or nuanced language practice. Tips: You can open Emely in your phone’s browser and then save the webpage to your home screen so it works almost like an app.
To receive your login details, please email: Ulla.Tunkara@ki.se Include your name, whether you are a doctoral student or a postdoc, and KI email address.
Learn Swedish at KI courses at Folkuniversitetet
Doctoral students admitted to KI and postdocs can take a total of two Swedish sub courses for free at Folkuniversitetet Karolinska Institutet Swedish courses. International Staff Services pays the fee.
Each course consists of 20 lessons (45 minutes each), either once a week for 10 weeks or twice a week for 5 weeks. Levels A1, A2, B1, B1+ and B2 all have three sub courses.
If you have already taken one course, you may now register for one more.
Before registering, do the online placement test (not needed for beginners). Please note that your booking is binding. The invoice will be sent to Ulla Tunkara (International Staff Services) for eligible doctoral students and postdocs, or to your department.
If you miss classes due to work or illness, contact your teacher to catch up.
This offer does not apply to visiting doctoral students. Other staff or researchers may join, but the fee must be paid by their department or by themselves.
New evening courses start in September 2026
Location: Folkuniversitetet Holländargatan 38, T-bana Rådmansgatan, Odenplan
Fees:
- KI doctoral students and postdocs: two sub courses free of charge.
Others: 1,562 SEK (excl. VAT) with department payment (ZZ code required) or 1,953 SEK (incl. VAT) if paid privately.
Please note that the International Staff Services only cover the Folkuniversitetet Karolinska Institutet Swedish courses. Any other courses offered by Folkuniversitetet are not included and will need to be paid for separately.
Registration: www.folkuniversitetet.se/karolinska/ Use your KI email and write Ulla Tunkara as payment reference if you use the free offer.
Questions? Contact ki-utbildningar.stockholm@folkuniversitetet.se
More courses and language cafés
Swedish Language café
KI Language café - practice Swedish, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese or Italian
Online språkcafé
Onsite språkcafé Stockholm area, Solna
Other courses
Folkuniversitetet, Medborgarskolan, Swedish for professionals, Online Swedish offer Swedish language courses for individuals. These courses are not offered free of charge.
You can study Swedish as a Foreign Language at Stockholm university.
The Local’s self-paced Swedish course for beginners
Swedish for medical staff online You can start with distance course for Medical Staff 1 when you have completed level A2 in general Swedish.
Swedish for immigrants (SFI) provides knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society, free of charge. Municipalities have an obligation to offer SFI to newly arrived adult immigrants with a personal identity number. Also EU citizens who do not have a personal identity number are entitled to attend the SFI programme if they have the right to reside in Sweden. Check with your municipality:
SFI in Stockholm
SFI in Solna
SFI in Huddinge: sign up to SFI on the website. You will then receive an email asking you to contact the administration for more information about the courses.
SIFA Intensive studies in Swedish for adults with an academic background (economists, lawyers, engineers or educators; distance learning, classroom learning).
SFx-medicin fulltime intensive Swedish courses for medical staff daytime in Huddinge. No distance, no part-time courses.
The Online Swedish platform offers KI associates (students, employees, research etc.) two courses free of charge. In addition, they can get a 20% discount for the ordinary Swedish language courses.
Nyheter på lätt svenska: Svt, Radio Sweden
Språkkraft offers free and easy to use apps and digital tools to efficiently learn Swedish language.
Get a hobby or learn new skills in Swedish
Explore cultural initiatives for employees at KI | Karolinska Institutet
Folkuniversitetet, Medborgarskolan
Tests
There are several recognised tests available that measure proficiency in the Swedish language.
Licence to work as medical professional in Sweden
To be able to get a Swedish licence, you need to have language skills in Swedish, Danish or Norwegian. For example, you can prove your language skills by submitting a passing grade or approved results from
- Swedish at Level C1 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- Swedish, level 3 or Swedish as a foreign language, level 3 for example from Komvux.
- Another course or a test that makes you eligible for studying at a Swedish university/college, go to antagning.se.
Translation help
a dictionary on-line that translates words between different languages. Other free translation services: Free translation online, Google translate and ChatGPT.
Swedish language tests for citizenship
A government bill proposes that requirements for knowledge of Swedish and understanding of the Swedish society be introduced for the acquisition of Swedish citizenship as of 6 June 2026. Reading and listening comprehension equivalent to B1 according to the (CEFR), while written and oral skills should be at A2 level. See More stringent Swedish citizenship requirements (in Swedish)
Language levels of the European scale
Source: Sfx Svenska för medicinsk personal
| The CEFR levels | Swedish for immigrants (SFI) | Level | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | SFI A, B | Basic user | ||
| A2 | SFI C | Basic user | ||
| B1 | SFI D | Independent user | ||
| B2- | SVA grundläggande | Independent user | ||
| B2 | SVA 1 | Independent user | ||
| C1- | SVA 2 | Proficient user | ||
| C1 | SVA 3 | Proficient user | ||
| C2 | Tvåspråkig (Bilingual) | Proficient user |