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Language requirements

English taught master programmes

A sufficient proficiency in English is an admission requirement for all English taught Master's programmes. You will need to submit proof of your proficiency in English as part of the application process.

For the Master's programme Pharmacy and the Master's programme Science Education and Communication, see below.

Accepted tests (minimum scores)

Overall

Reading

Listening

Speaking

Writing

IELTS (Academic)

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

TOEFL IBT (internet-based)

90

21

21

21

24

Cambridge English

Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency

Please note:

  • Test scores cannot be older than two years from the moment you submit your application in Studielink and it is not allowed to combine multiple tests.
  • The TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
  • If you have dyslexia, please contact TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge.

Please keep in mind that
  • The modality required is 'academic'.
  • You may apply for a degree programme, even though you have not yet taken an English language test or while your test score is still insufficient. In that case, you might be conditionally admitted with one of the conditions for final admission being that you take and pass a (new) test. Please inform the Admissions Office of the date on which you are planning to take such a test.
Submitting your test results

• IELTS:

Non-Dutch applicants : a scan of the score report can be uploaded within the Progress Portal. We can verify the scores online. Please notify the Admissions Office.

Dutch applicants : a scan of the score report can be sent to admissionsupport.fse@rug.nl. We can verify the scores online. Please notify Admission Support FSE via the same email address.

• TOEFL:

Non-Dutch applicants : a scan of the score report can be uploaded within the Progress Portal. You can either ask ETS to send us a hardcopy test result report via mail, using institution code 7191. Alternatively, you can ask ETS to make the result available to us for online verification, again using institution code 7191. Please notify the Admissions Office.

Dutch applicants : a scan of the score report can be sent to admissionsupport.fse@rug.nl. You can either ask ETS to send us a hardcopy test result report via mail, using institution code 7191. Alternatively, you can ask ETS to make the result available to us for online verification, again using institution code 7191. Please notify Admission Support FSE via the same email address.

• Cambridge Certificate:

Non-Dutch applicants : initially, a scan of the score report can be uploaded in the Progress Portal. If you are admitted, we have two options to verify your scores. You can either upload the results in the Progress Portal or make the results available online by sharing your Candidate ID number and Candidate Secret Number with the Admissions Office.

Dutch applicants : initially, a scan of the score report can sent to admissionsupport.fse@rug.nl. If you are admitted, we have two options to verify your scores. You can either send us a certified copy of your test report or make the results available online by sharing your Candidate ID number and Candidate Secret Number with Admission Support FSE.

You are exempt from proving proficiency in English only if
  • you are a native speaker and have completed a full secondary education in one of the following countries: USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia;
  • you have already completed a fulltime bachelor programme (nominal duration of at least three years) in one of the following countries: USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia;
  • you have an International Baccalaureate diploma, with English as the medium of instruction;
  • you have an European Baccalaureate diploma, with English as the medium of instruction;
  • you have completed a fulltime HBO bachelor programme, with English as the medium of instruction and apply for a pre-master programme.

If English was the medium of instruction during your previous education, but you do not meet the above mentioned requirements for exemption, you are still required to prove your English proficiency by means of one of the tests as mentioned above.

For your information
  • It is not a problem if you apply whilst you have not yet taken one of the required tests. If you are admitted, (one of) the condition(s) will be that you prove your English language proficiency in accordance with our requirements.
  • If you are a non-EU/EEA student and you require visa to travel to the Netherlands, you should take into account that we can only apply for visa for you after you have met the language requirements.
Master's programmes with different language requirements
  • The Education track of the Master's programme in Science Education and Communication is taught in Dutch. To be admitted to this programme, you will need to prove your proficiency in Dutch by means of an NT2-II test.

  • For the English-taught Communication-track of the Master's programme in Science Education and Communication, different language requirements apply. Please visit this page for more information on accepted tests and required scores.

  • The Master's programme in Farmacie (Pharmacy) is taught in Dutch as well. To be admitted to this programme, you will need to prove your proficiency in Dutch by means of an NT2-II test.
Last modified:21 November 2023 10.01 a.m.