English language test results for Bachelor’s programmes

A sufficient level of English proficiency is required for meeting the admission requirements for English-taught Bachelor’s programmes. Based on your previous education, the Admissions Board for your programme decides whether or not you are required to take an English language test.

You can demonstrate your language skills by taking a recognised English language test with sufficient results. The TOEFL Home Edition, IELTS (Academic) Online, PTE Academic Online, LanguageCert Online cannot be accepted. TOEFL My Best Scores are not taken into consideration. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.

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The minimum score to be admitted varies by programme:

Accepted language tests and scoresApplies to Bachelor's programmes
  • IELTS Academic (note: not IELTS Online) with overall score ≥6.0 and all sub-scores ≥6.0
  • TOEFL iBT (note: not Home Edition) with overall score ≥4.5 and subscores reading and speaking ≥4, listening and writing ≥4.5 or overall score ≥80 and all subscores ≥20
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced with overall score ≥169 and all subscores ≥169
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency with overall score ≥180 and all subscores ≥169
  • PTE Academic* (note: not PTE Academic Online) with overall score of ≥ 61 and all subscores ≥ 56
  • LanguageCert Academic* (note: not LanguageCert Academic Online) with overall score of ≥ 65 and subscores: listening ≥ 59; reading ≥ 62, writing  ≥ 65; speaking ≥ 68

* In case you have obtained a PTE Academic or LanguageCert Academic test with (sub)scores that deviate from the above-mentioned required scores, please be in contact with admissions [at] ru.nl (admissions[at]ru[dot]nl).

** For the programme International Business Communication: please note that you are not allowed to choose the Spanish track if you are a native speaker of Spanish, as this track will teach you Spanish starting from beginner level (A1/A2). There are no further language requirements for this track for the Spanish language.

Different admission requirements apply to the programmes listed below:

Accepted language tests and scoresApplies to Bachelor's programmes
  • IELTS Academic (note: not IELTS Online) with overall score ≥6.5 and all sub-scores ≥6.0
  • TOEFL iBT (note: not Home Edition) with overall score ≥4.5 and subscores reading and speaking ≥4, listening and writing ≥4.5 or overall score ≥90 and all subscores ≥20
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced with overall score ≥176 and all subscores ≥169
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency with overall score ≥180 and all subscores ≥169
  • PTE Academic* (note: not PTE Academic Online) with overall score of ≥ 61 and all subscores ≥ 56
  • LanguageCert Academic* (note: not LanguageCert Academic Online) with overall score of ≥ 70 and subscores: listening ≥ 59; reading ≥ 62, writing ≥ 68; speaking ≥ 68

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.

See also