Language proficiency requirements for Master's degrees

Requirements, deadlines and exemptions

• Master's programmes with specific language proficiency requirements

  Please refer to this overview of Master's programmes with specific language proficiency requirements.

• Master's programmes without specific language proficiency requirements

  Is your Master's programme not listed in the above tab, listing those programmes with specific language proficiency requirements? 

  In that case the following requirements apply:

  • IELTS (academic): 6.5 overall - Most programmes do not accept subscores dropping below 6.0.
    Note: the IELTS Online Academic and the online IELTS Indicator tests are not accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake is also not accepted.
  • TOEFL Internet-based test: 92.
    Note: TOEFL Essentials and TOEFL iBT Home Edition are not accepted. MyBestScore is also not accepted.
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)/C2 Proficiency: grade A, B or C
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)/C1 Advanced: grade A, B or C
    If you have completed a Cambridge test in Advanced English, or Proficiency in English, you can share your results digitally through the Cambridge system. You can find more information on how to share your results with this step by step guide.
  • VU-test English-language proficiency: TOEFL ITP: 580. This test is offered by the VU Taalloket and takes place at the University. The test costs EUR 100 and is only valid for admission to VU Amsterdam. The TOEFL ITP is not accepted for students who require a study visa/residence permit to study at VU Amsterdam. We do not accept the TOEFL ITP Digital test. Please note that the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Religion and Theology also do not accept the TOEFL ITP test.

• Deadlines

  Please do not wait until the last moment to book a test, as test centres can be full and it can take several weeks before you received your result. We recommend students to hand in their English Language test well before the final deadline. 

  Recommended deadline for submission: 

  • 1 May - for students who require a study visa/residence permit
  • 1 August - for students with the EU/EEA nationality and other students who do not require a study visa/residence permit 

  Final deadline for submission: 

  • 1 June - for students who require a study visa/residence permit
  • 31 August - for students with the EU/EEA nationality and other students who do not require a study visa/residence permit  

• Exemptions

  Exceptions to the English Language Proficiency requirement are made if you have completed your Bachelor's or Master's degree in Canada (English-speaking provinces), USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia or if you have completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree fully taught in English within the EU/EEA.

• Test validity

  TOEFL and IELTS tests must have been completed no more than two years before 1 September of the year in which your course starts (or 1 February if your programme offers a February intake). 

• How to share your English test results

  • For IELTS or TOEFL test results, please upload your results in the application section of your VU Dashboard.
  • For verification of TOEFL tests please add our institution code before sending the report: 7947 and also upload your results in your VU dashboard.
  • For an online verification of your Cambridge test result please share your results with us through the Candidate Results Online website and also upload your results in your VU dashboard.

  In general, we do not need to receive the hard copy test results via postal mail if you share your results digitally. 

• Useful links

  • www.ielts.org
  • www.toefl.org 
  • www.cambridgeenglish.org|

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