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Faculty of Science: Graduate Schools Faculty of Science: Graduate Schools

English language requirements

Our Master’s programmes are taught in English. Good English skills are essential for successful class participation and understanding. To ensure this, we will assess your English skills through specific proficiency tests listed below.

TOEFL Test

Internet-based test (iBT): a minimum of 92 with a minimum subscore of 22 on each subject (listening/reading/writing/speaking). 

Exceptions: Artificial Intelligence, Biological Sciences, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Complex Systems and Policy, Computational Science, Information Studies, Quantum Computer Science and Software Engineering: a minimum of 100 with the following subscores: 

  • Listening: minimum 22 
  • Reading: minimum 24 
  • Writing: minimum 24 
  • Speaking: minimum 25 

 You can use the institution code 9011 to have your score report sent to us.   

Academic IELTS Test

Minimum overall score of 6.5/9.0 and all individual subscores (listening/ reading/writing/speaking) at least 6.0/9.0. 
Exceptions: Artificial Intelligence, Biological Sciences, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Computational Science, Information Studies, Quantum Computer Science and Software Engineering: a minimum overall score of 7.0/9.0 and all individual subscores at least 6.5/9.0 

Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency

A minimum score of: C1 Advanced (CAE) with a minimum of 180 or Cambridge C2 (CPE). 
Exceptions: Artificial Intelligence, Biological Sciences, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Computational Science, Information Studies, Quantum Computer Science and Software Engineering: a minimum score of C1 Advanced with a minimum of 190 or Cambridge C2. 

Other test versions or modules are not accepted. Examples of this include but are not limited to: IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS Online Academic, TOEFL Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest Scores, DuoLingo English Test, etc. 

Validity of scores  

  • Test scores may not be older than two years. Cambridge English Qualifications older than two years will be accepted. 

Exemptions 
You are exempt from the English language requirements if one of the following options applies to you:  

  • You are a student with a bachelor's degree from a Dutch research University 
  • You are a student who successfully finished a full academic programme at an esteemed institute in one of the following countries: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada (with the exception of Quebec), Australia or New Zealand. If you have completed a double degree at bachelor’s level which was only partly completed in one of the above-mentioned countries, you cannot be exempt.