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Language requirements and exemptions

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

You can find an overview of generally accepted exemptions at the bottom of this page.


Overview language requirements per faculty

Each faculty has its own language requirements.

Validity of certificates

Keep in mind that TOEFL and IELTS certificates are only valid for 2 years. Cambridge certificates do not have limited validity.

Campus Fryslân
BSc Global Responsibility & Leadership
  • TOEFL iBT*: 90 (min. 18 on section scores)
  • IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (min. 6.0 on section scores)**
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE Certificate with grade A, B or C
BSc Data Science & Society
  • TOEFL iBT*: 90 (min. 18 on section scores)
  • IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (min. 6.0 on section scores)**
  • Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE Certificate with grade A, B or C

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


Additional exemption possibility

  • Minimum final grade of 7 for the English course for the Dutch VWO diploma
  • Minimum final grade of 10 for the English course at Leistungskurs (LK) / erhöhtem Anforderingsniveau (eA) for the German Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (however, please note that taking an English language proficiency test meeting the minimum requirements for this programme is strongly recommended)
Faculty of Arts

American Studies
Art History
Arts, Culture and Media
Communication and Information Studies
English Language and Culture
European Language and Cultures
History
International Relations and International Organization (IRIO)
Media Studies
Minorities & Multilingualism

  • TOEFL iBT*: 90 (min. 21 every item)
  • IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (min. 6.0 every item)**
  • Cambridge C1 CAE or Cambridge C2 CPE Certificate with grade A, B or C

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

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
TOEFL internet-based*

90 (min. 19 on Speaking, min. 21 on Writing)

IELTS (Academic) - overall score**

6.5 (min. 6.0 on Speaking & Writing)

Cambridge C1 Advanced


Cambridge C2 Proficiency


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

Faculty of Economics and Business

You can find the requirements on the Faculty page Step 1: Entry requirements.

Faculty of Law

You can find the requirements on the Faculty page Admission requirements.

Faculty of Medical Sciences

You can find the requirements in the document about Language Requirements.

Faculty of Philosophy

You can find the requirements on the programme page.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

You can find the requirements on the Faculty page Language Requirements.

Faculty of Spatial Sciences
  • Human Geography & Urban and Regional Planning
  • Spatial Planning and Design
  • TOEFL iBT*: 80 (reading: min. 18; listening: min. 18; speaking: min. 20; and writing: min. 21)
  • IELTS (Academic): 6.0 (min. 6.0 on each section) **
  • Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE)

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

Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society
Religious Studies
  • IELTS (Academic): 6.0 (min. 6.0 on Speaking and Writing)**
  • TOEFL iBT* 80 (min. 20 on Speaking, min. 21 on Writing)
  • Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE)
Theology (Dutch only)
NTII-2 test needed

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

University College Groningen
Qualification
Score
IELTS (Academic)**
6.5 - no less than 6.5 on each section
TOEFL IBT (Internet Based Test)

90 - reading: min. 21; listening: min. 21; speaking: min. 21; and writing: min. 24

Cambridge English
Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency


Please note that certain exemptions* from the above-mentioned requirements may apply in the following cases:

  • Applicants with a Dutch VWO diploma and a 7 or higher in English;
  • Applicants with a German Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife, including English PF, eA or LK with a minimum grade of 10

* Exemptions are granted at the discretion of the Admissions Office.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.


Exemption options

Overview exemption options

You are exempted from proving your proficiency in English if you apply on the basis of:

  • a (to be obtained) upper secondary qualification obtained in one of the following countries: USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (English speaking provinces/territories), Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines and meet our general end level requirements for that specific qualification;
  • a (to be) completed Bachelor's programme in one of the following countries: USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (English speaking provinces/territories), Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines;
  • at least 3 (to be obtained) academic GCE A2-level certificates with grades A* to C from an accredited British examination board;
  • an (to be obtained) International Baccalaureate diploma, with English as the medium of instruction;
  • a (to be obtained) French Baccalauréat Francais Internationale (BFI) - British version;
  • a (to be obtained) South African National Senior Certificate in combination with an IEB Advanced Programme Certificate in English (with minimum result 55% in case this is the only IEB AP certificate; otherwise with a passing grade) or in combination with an IEB Further Studies (Certificate) in English (with minimum result 55% in case this is the only IEB certificate; otherwise with a passing grade);
  • (to be obtained) Singapore/Cambridge A-levels in at least 3 H2 and 1 H1 content* courses (of which at least 1 course in a contrasting discipline) together with either the course General Paper or Knowledge and Inquiry (5 courses in total).
Additional exemptions

Additional exemptions may apply for the programme of your choice, however this is at the discretion of the Admissions Board and will be assessed when your application has been received by the Admissions Office.

The following faculties offer additional options for an exemption to the English requirement:

  • the Faculty of Arts
  • the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
  • the Faculty of Economics and Business
  • the Faculty of Spatial Sciences

If you are applying to a programme at one of these faculties make sure to check the list below to see if an exemption applies.

Last modified:29 January 2024 10.18 a.m.