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Master's language requirements

To be eligible for admission you will have to meet the language proficiency requirements applicable to the programme of your choice.

Please also check the Master's entry requirements

! The requirements and exemptions below may be subject to change in the coming weeks!


Overview language requirements per faculty


Validity of certificates

TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge English certificates are only valid for 2 years.

Campus Fryslân
  • Cultural Geography
  • Sustainable Entrepreneurship
  • Voice Technology
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 18 for Reading and Listening, 20 for Speaking, 21 for Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180.

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Arts
  • Arts & Culture - all non-research tracks
  • Classics & Ancient Civilizations - all tracks
  • Communication & Information Studies: Communication and Education
  • Communication & Information Studies: Communication Studies
  • Communication & Information Studies: Computer-mediated Communication
  • Communication & Information Studies: Information Science
  • History - all non-research tracks
  • International Relations - all non-research tracks
  • Literary Studies: European Literatures and Interculturality
  • Middle-Eastern Studies
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 21 in all categories)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with grades A, B or C.

  • Media Studies: Datafication and Digital Literacy
  • Media Studies: Journalism
  • Media Studies: Media Creation and Innovation
  • Media Studies: Social Media and Society
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 25 in Speaking and Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 185
  • Literary Studies: English Literature and Culture
  • Literary Studies: Writing, Editing and Mediating
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 110 (min. 25 in all categories)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 8.0 (min. 7.5 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 200.
  • American Studies
  • Archaeology (research)
  • Arts & Culture (research): Arts, Media and Literary Studies
  • Arts & Culture (research): Cultural Leadership
  • Communication & Information Studies: Digital Humanities
  • History (research): Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Studies
  • International Relations (research): Modern History and International Relations
  • Linguistics: Applied Linguistics-TEFL
  • Linguistics: Multilingualism
  • Linguistics: Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics
  • Linguistics (research): European Linguistics
  • Linguistics (research): Clinical Linguistics
  • Linguistics (research): Language and Communication Technologies
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 25 in all categories)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 185.
  • Archeologie (Dutch)
  • Art & Culture: Landscape History (Dutch)
  • Communication & Information: Communication and Education-Neerlandistiek ( Dutch)
  • History (Dutch)

  • Linguistics: Neurolinguïstiek (Dutch)

  • NT2-II test
  • C-test certificate from the UG Language Centre (Dutch native speakers only)
Erasmus Mundus programmes
  • Clinical Linguistics
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7.0
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate
  • European Studies: Euroculture
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 93
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.5 in all sections)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate (test results may be no older than 5 years)

NB: Students from China cannot provide CAE results.

  • International Humanitarian Action
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 93 (min. 24 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all sections)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate
  • Language and Communication Technologies
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 25 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all sections)

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
  • Educational Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Pedagogical Sciences
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 22 in Speaking, 24 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.5 in Speaking and Writing)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with grades A, B or C.
  • Behavioural and Social Sciences (research)
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 25 in Speaking and Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7.0 (min. 7.0 in Speaking and Writing)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 185.
  • Psychology (Dutch taught)

  • Babel language test: Nederlands voor medici B2+ (spreken en schrijven)
  • NT2-II
  • C-test certificate from the UG Language Centre (Dutch native speakers only)
  • LVHO: Educational Masters (Dutch taught)
  • Orthopedagogiek (Dutch taught)
  • Sociologie (Dutch taught)

  • NT2-II
  • C-test certificate from the UG Language Centre (Dutch native speakers only)

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Economics and Business
  • Accountancy and Controlling
  • Business Administration
  • Econometrics, Operations Research and Actuarial Studies
  • International Economics and Sustainable Development
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • International Business and Management
  • International Financial Management
  • Marketing
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Technology and Operations Management
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 20 in Speaking, 24 in Writing )
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in Speaking, 6.5 in Writing)
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: overall score of 176 (min. 169 in Speaking, 176 in Writing

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Law
  • Energy and Climate Law
  • European Law in a Global Context
  • Global Criminal Law
  • Health and Technology Law
  • International Commercial Law
  • International Human Rights Law
  • Legal Research
  • Public International Law
  • Technology Law and Innovation
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 21 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, 23 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.0 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, 6.5 in Writing)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with grades A, B or C.

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Medical Sciences
  • Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology (research)
  • Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 92 (min. 21 in all categories)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score 180
  • Human Movement Sciences

  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with grades A, B or C.
  • Sport Sciences
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 92
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with grades A, B or C.

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Philosophy
  • Philosophy
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180
  • Philosophy (research)
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 22 in Reading and Listening, 26 in Speaking, 24 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 185
  • Philosophy, Politics and Economics
  • Philosophy, Science and Humanities
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 22 in Reading, and Listening, 26 in Speaking, 24 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 185

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Science and Engineering
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Applied Physics
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Astronomy
  • Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences (research)
  • Biology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Biomolecular Sciences
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Energy and Environmental Sciences
  • Industrial Engineering and Management
  • Marine Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Nanoscience
  • Physics
  • Systems and Control
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 21 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, 24 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.5 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180
  • Science Education and Communication: Communication
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 94 (min. 21 in Reading and Listening, 25 in Speaking, 27 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7 (min. 6.5 in Reading and Listening, 7 in Speaking and Writing)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180
  • Science Education and Communication: Education (Dutch)
  • NT2-II test
  • C-test certificate from the UG Language Centre (Dutch native speakers only)

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Spatial Sciences
  • Economic Geography
  • Environmental and Infrastructure Planning
  • Population Studies
  • Real Estate Studies
  • Society, Sustainability and Planning
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, 21 for Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180.
  • Spatial Sciences (research)
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 21 in Reading, Listening and for Speaking, 24 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.5 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180.

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society
  • Heritage and Religion
  • Religion and Pluralism; Ancient and Modern
  • Religion, Conflict, and Globalization
  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, 21 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180.

Theology & Religious Studies (research)

  • TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 21 in Reading ,Listening and Speaking, 24 in Writing)
  • IELTS (Academic)**: overall score 7 (min. 6.5 in all categories
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180.

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Overview exemption options

You may be exempted from proving your proficiency in English if:

  • you are a native speaker and have completed a full secondary education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Canada (only when taught fully in English)
  • you will obtain/ have obtained a full-time Bachelor’s degree (at least 3 years) in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Canada (only when taught fully in English)
  • you have obtained a VWO diploma including English as a subject
  • you have obtained an EB diploma including English as a medium of instruction (only if L1 and L2)

Some Faculties have additional exemptions - see below:

  • Faculty of Arts - only European Studies: Euroculture
  • Students who have studied at least one year full-time in a fully English-taught university programme in a country where English is (one of) the official language(s)
  • Students who completed an entire Bachelor programme in English (duration: 3 years minimum).
  • Faculty of Economics and Business
  • you completed and passed the English-language Pre-MSc programme from the Faculty of Economics and Business
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering
  • you have obtained an IB diploma including English as the language of instruction
  • Faculty of Law
  • you have obtained a full-time Bachelor’s degree (at least 3 years) in the USA, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada (English-speaking regions only), Australia, Antigua, Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, the Grenadines, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, Nevis, Trinidad, Tobago, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent
Last modified:31 October 2024 12.10 p.m.