Master's language requirements and exemptions

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

Language requirements per faculty

Validity of certificates

Keep in mind that IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson PTE, and TOEFL certificates are only valid for 2 years.

Cambridge certificates do not have limited validity.

Campus Fryslân

Sustainable Futures

Speech Technology
Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score of 180
IELTS Academic*: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
Pearson Academic: overall score 66 (min. 62 in Reading, 54 in and Listening and Speaking, 62 in Writing)
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in all categories)
TOEFL iBT**: overall score 90 (min. 18 for Reading and Listening, 20 for Speaking, 21 for Writing)

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

Faculty of Arts

Arts & Culture (all non-research track) Classics & Ancient Civilizations (all tracks) Communication & Information Studies: Communication Studies Communication & Information Studies: Information Science History (all non-research tracks) International Relations (all non-research tracks) Middle-Eastern Studies	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180 IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in every category) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 62 in Reading and Writing, and 54 in Listening and Speaking) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 21 in all categories)
Media Studies: Journalism Media Studies: Media, Cultural Industries and Innovation Media Studies: Media, Digital Transformations and Society	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 185 IELTS Academic: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all categories) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 75 (min. 70 in all categories) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 71 (min. 64 in Reading, 58 in Listening and Speaking, 70 in Writing) TOEFL iBT: overall score 100 (min. 25 in Speaking and Writing)
Literary Studies: English Literature and Culture Literary Studies: Writing, Editing and Mediating	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 200. IELTS Academic: overall score 8.0 (min. 7.5 in all categories) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 85 (min. 80 in all categories) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 82 (min. 74 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, 80 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 110 (min. 25 in all categories)
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): Language and Cognition	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 185. IELTS Academic: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all categories) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 75 (min. 70 in all categories) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 71 (min. 64 in Reading, 58 in Listening and Speaking, 70 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 25 in all categories)
Archeologie (Dutch) Art & Culture: Landscape History (Dutch) History (Dutch) Linguistics: Neurolinguïstiek (Dutch)	C-test certificate from the UG Language Centre (Dutch native speakers only) NT2-II test

Erasmus Mundus programmes
Clinical Linguistics	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180 IELTS Academic: overall score 7.0 TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100
European Studies: Euroculture	IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.5 in all sections) Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180 TOEFL iBT: overall score 93 (min. 24 in Writing)
International Humanitarian Action	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180 IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all sections) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 93 (min. 20 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, 24 in Writing)
Natural Language Processing	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180 IELTS Academic: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all sections) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 25 in Writing)

* We do not accept IELTS Online and One Skill Retake certificates.
**TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
*** Test results may be no older than 5 years. Citizens of the People’s Republic of China are required to submit a TOEFL iBT or IELTS test (no CAE).

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Educational Sciences Psychology Pedagogical Sciences	Cambridge English C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180 IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.5 in Speaking and Writing) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 70 in Speaking and Writing) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 58 in Speaking, 70 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 22 in Speaking, 24 in Writing)
Behavioural and Social Sciences (research)	Cambridge English C1/C2 certificate: overall score 185 IELTS Academic: overall score 7.0 (min. 7.0 in Speaking and Writing) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 75 (min. 75 in Speaking and Writing) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 71 (min. 64 in Speaking, 75 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 25 in Speaking, 25 in Writing)
Psychology (Dutch taught)	Babel language test: Nederlands voor medici B2+ (spreken en schrijven) C-test certificate from the UG Language Centre (Dutch native speakers only) NT2-II
Jeugd: Beleid & Maatschappij (Dutch taught) LVHO: Educational Masters (Dutch taught) Orthopedagogiek (Dutch taught) Pedagogiek, Cultuur en Onderwijs (Dutch taught) Sociologie (Dutch taught)	C-test certificate from the UG Language Centre (Dutch native speakers only) NT2-II

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

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	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score of 176 (min. 169 in Speaking, 176 in Writing IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in Speaking, 6.5 in Writing) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in Speaking, 70 in Writing) Pearson PTE Acacemic (min. 56 in Speaking, 70 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 20 in Speaking, 24 in Writing)

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

For Pre-Master's English language requirements, see this page.

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

Cambridge C1 or C2 certificate with a min. score of 180
IELTS Academic*: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.0 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, 6.5 in Writing)
Pearson Academic: overall score 71 (min. 62 in Reading, 54 in Listening and Speaking, 70 in Writing)
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 75 (min. 65 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, 70 in Writing)
TOEFL iBT**: overall score 100 (min. 21 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, 23 in Writing)

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

Faculty of Medical Sciences

English-taught programmes	Certificates and minimum scores
Interdisciplinary Research in Health Dynamics - research Human Movement Sciences Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment Sport Sciences	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180 IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories) LanguageCert Academic: overall 70 (min. 65 in all categoies) Pearson Academic: overall 66 (min. 62 in Reading, 54 in Listening and Speaking, 62 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 21 in all categories)
Dutch-taught programmes	Requirements
Dentistry	NT2-II diploma
Medicine	Certificaat Medisch Nederlands C1

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

Faculty of Philosophy

Philosophy Philosophy and Science	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate with a min. score of 180 IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in all categories) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 54 in Listening and Speaking, min. 62 in Reading and Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, 21 in Writing)
Philosophy (Research Master) Philosophy, Politics and Economics	Cambridge C1/C2 certificate with a min. score of 180 IELTS Academic: overall score 7.0 (min. 6.5 in all categories) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 75 (min. 70 in every category) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 71 (min. 64 in Reading, 58 in Listening and Speaking, 70 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 100 (min. 21 in Reading and Listening, 22 in Speaking, 24 in Writing)

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

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	Cambridge C1 CAE or Cambridge C2 CPE Certificate with a min. score of 180 IELTS (Academic): overall score 6.5 (min. 6.5 in every category) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 70 in every category) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 64 in Reading, 58 in Listening and Speaking, and 70 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 21 in Reading, Listening, and Speaking, 24 in Writing)
Science Education and Communication: Communication	Cambridge C1 CAE or Cambridge C2 CPE Certificate with a min. score of 180 IELTS (Academic): overall score 7 (min. 6.5 in Reading and Listening, 7 in Speaking and Writing) LanguageCert Academic: overall score 75 (min. 70 in Reading and Listening, and 75 in Speaking and Writing) Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 71 (min. 64 in Reading, 58 in Listening, 64 in Speaking, 75 in Writing) TOEFL iBT*: overall score 94 (min. 21 in Reading and Listening, 25 in Speaking, 27 in Writing)
Farmacie	NT2-II certificate Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (CNaVT)) – STRT and EDUP profiles - min. B2 level
Science Education and Communication: Education (Dutch)	NT2-II certificate

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

Faculty of Spatial Sciences

Economic Geography
Environmental and Infrastructure Planning
Population Studies
Real Estate Studies
Society, Sustainability and Planning

Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180.
IELTS Academic*: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in every category)
Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 62 in Reading and Writing, and 54 in Listening and Speaking)
TOEFL iBT**: overall score 90 (min. 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, 21 for Writing)

Spatial Sciences (research)

Cambridge C1/C2 certificate: overall score 180
IELTS Academic*: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.5 in all categories)
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 70 in every category)

Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 66 in Reading, 58 in Listening and Speaking, and 70 in Writing)
TOEFL iBT**: overall score 90 (min. 21 in Reading, Listening and for Speaking, 24 in Writing)

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

Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society

Theology and Religious Studies (one-year Master)

Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180.
IELTS Academic**: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 65 in every category)
Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 62 in Reading and Writing, 54 in Listening and Speaking)
TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, 21 in Writing)

Religious Diversity in a Globalized World (EM Research Master)

Theology & Religious Studies (Research Master)

Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180.
IELTS Academic*: overall score 7 (min. 6.5 in all categories
LanguageCert Academic: overall score 75 (min. 70 in every category)
Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 71 (min. 64 in Reading, 58 in Listening and Speaking, 70 in Writing)
TOEFL iBT**: overall score 100 (min. 21 in Reading ,Listening and Speaking, 24 in Writing)

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

Exemption options

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, Guyana, Jamaica, Liberia, Malta, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Trinidad, Tobago

Last modified:16 October 2025 12.57 p.m.