English language test results for (pre-)Master’s programmes

A sufficient level of English proficiency is required for meeting the admission requirements for English-taught (pre-)Master’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 and LanguageCert Online cannot be accepted. TOEFL My Best Scores are not taken into consideration. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.

The minimum English test scores for admission depend on the programme:

Accepted results pre-Master's

Accepted language tests and scoresApplies to pre-Master's programmes
  • IELTS Academic (note: not IELTS Online) with overall score ≥6.0 and all subscores ≥6.0
  • TOEFL iBT (note: not Home Edition) with overall score ≥80 and all subscores ≥20 or overall score ≥4.5 and subscores Reading and Speaking ≥4, Listening and Writing ≥4.5
  • 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
Accepted language tests and scoresApplies to pre-Master's programmes
  • IELTS Academic (note: not IELTS Online) with overall score ≥6.5 and all subscores ≥6.0
  • TOEFL iBT (note: not Home Edition) with overall score ≥90 and all subscores ≥20 or overall score ≥4.5 and subscores Reading and Speaking ≥4, Listening and Writing ≥4.5
  • 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 ≥ 65 and subscores: listening ≥ 59; reading ≥ 62, writing ≥ 68; speaking ≥ 68


Accepted results Master's

Accepted language tests and scoresApplies to Master's programmes
  • IELTS Academic (note: not IELTS Online) with overall score ≥6.5, writing ≥6.5 and all subscores ≥6.0
  • TOEFL iBT (note: not Home Edition) with overall score ≥90 and all subscores ≥22 or overall score ≥4.5 and all subscores ≥4.5, except for Listening ≥5
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced with overall score ≥176, subscores ≥169, writing score ≥176
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency with overall score ≥180, subscores ≥169, writing score ≥176
  • PTE Academic* (note: not PTE academic Online) with overall score of ≥ 61 and subscores ≥ 56, writing subscore ≥ 61
  • LanguageCert Academic* (note: not LanguageCert Academic Online) with overall score of ≥ 70 and subscores: listening ≥ 62; reading 65, writing  ≥ 72; speaking ≥ 75
Accepted language tests and scoresApplies to Master's programmes
  • IELTS Academic (note: not IELTS Online) with overall score ≥7.0 and all sub-scores ≥6.5
  • TOEFL iBT (note: not Home Edition) with overall score ≥100 and all subscores ≥22 or overall score ≥5.0 and all subscores ≥4.5, except for Listening ≥5
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency with overall score ≥185 and all subscores ≥176
  • PTE Academic* (note: not PTE academic Online) with overall score of ≥ 67 and all subscores ≥ 61
  • LanguageCert Academic* (note: not LanguageCert Academic Online) with overall score of ≥ 75 and subscores: listening ≥ 65; reading 65, writing  ≥ 75; speaking ≥ 75

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

Please note: IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson PTE and LanguageCert 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