Language requirements for English-taught programmes

A sufficient level of English proficiency is required for meeting the admission requirements for English-taught Bachelor’s, Master’s and pre-Master’s programmes. And for our Dutch-taught programmes, you must have a sufficient command of the Dutch language. Language proficiency can be demonstrated through certain diplomas, or by passing a recognised language certificate.

Diplomas that meet the English language requirement for Bachelor's

When it comes to all English-taught Bachelor’s programmes, English language proficiency may be demonstrated through one of the following diplomas:

A Dutch pre-university Secondary Education diploma (VWO);
An International Baccalaureate Diploma (Diploma Programme): English taught IB or English A Language and Literature HL
A European Baccalaureate Diploma, which includes English Language 1 or English Language 2
The General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Levels)
A diploma equivalent to, or higher than the Dutch VWO diploma, obtained at an institution in an EU/EEA member state, Australia, Canada (excluding Québec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America with English as the only medium of instruction.
One of the following diplomas, which includes a minimal passing grade for English in the final examinations:
- Austria: Reifezeugnis/Reifeprüfungszeugnis (check the additional requirements)
- Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs (for the Diplome d'Enseignement Secondair (Enseignement Secondaire Général) or the Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts (Allgemeinbildende Unterricht) a language test is needed as proof of English language proficiency)
- Denmark: Studentereksamenbevis
- Finland: Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studentexamenbevis
- Germany: Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (check the additional requirements)
- Luxembourg: Diplôme de Fin d’Études Secondaires
- Norway: Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skolen
- Sweden: Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan
- Aruba: Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs
- Sint Maarten: VWO-diploma
- Curaçao: VWO-diploma
- Suriname: Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (V.W.O.) from an accredited V.W.O. School from the Nuffic List.

Additional requirements for German and Austrian students

For German students:
- For programmes of the Faculty of Science, English needs to be part of the student’s curriculum until the end of the final year and the student needs to obtain a minimum grade of 8 out of 15 (for Leistungskurs and Grundkurs).
- For programmes of the Faculty of Social Sciences, a minimum grade of 6 (for Leistungskurs) or 7 (for Grundkurs) out of 15 is required. This applies to the last half year of the Qualifikationsphase and to the Abiturprüfung. If the grade is lower, or in case English is not part of the Abiturprüfung, a language certificate is needed as proof of English language proficiency.
For Austrian students who apply for a programme of the Faculty of Science, English needs to be part of the student’s curriculum until the end of the final year and the student needs to obtain a minimum grade of 3.

Diplomas that meet the English language requirement for Master's and pre-Master's

When it comes to all English-taught Master’s and pre-Master’s programmes, English language proficiency may be demonstrated through one of the following diplomas:

For all programmes (excluding the Faculty of Law):

A Bachelor’s diploma from a Dutch research university (WO).
A Bachelor's diploma from a research university in Australia, Canada (excluding Québec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America.

Additional diploma accepted by the Nijmegen School of Management:

An English-taught Bachelor's diploma from an institution from an EU/EEA country.
A Master's diploma from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO).

Faculty of Law:

A Bachelor’s in Law or a Master’s in Law from an English-taught programme at a Dutch research university (WO).
A Bachelor’s in Law from Australia, Canada (excluding Québec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America.

Recognised English language tests

If you do not have one of the above-mentioned diplomas, you are permitted to apply for the programme if you do not have a recognised English language certificate. However, if you are admitted and English is listed as a requirement in the admission email, we will require a certificate from one of the following recognised English language examinations before the enrolment deadline.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Please note: IELTS and TOEFL results are valid for two years after the test date, and the results must be valid on the date of enrolment. C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency results are valid for five years, with the exception of study programmes at the Nijmegen School of Management. All test results for Nijmegen School of Management programmes are valid for two years.

The TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS (Academic) Online cannot be accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake and TOEFL My Best Scores are not taken into consideration.