English language proficiency

All students must be able to read academic texts, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English. Applicants are therefore required to have sufficient proficiency in English (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): level C1).

Applicants are required to submit an English test score meeting these entry requirements (see below for the tests and scores). Inability to do so will prevent enrolment.

The following applicants are exempted from the requirement to submit an English test score:

Applicants with the nationality of the USA, Australia, UK, Canada (English speaking part), Ireland or New Zealand.
Applicants who have obtained their English taught Bachelor’s degree in the USA, Australia, UK, Canada (English speaking part), Ireland or New Zealand.
Applicants who have obtained their Bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university (Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs – academic Bachelor’s degree).

Applicants can request a waiver from the requirement to submit an English test score, together with their application to the programme of their choice, if:

they are holders of diplomas from programmes with comparable English-language entry requirements;
they have completed an entirely English-taught Bachelor’s degree from a country other than those stipulated above;
they have been raised and/or educated in the USA, Australia, UK, Canada (English speaking part), Ireland or New Zealand, but do not have the country’s nationality;
they have a sufficient test score which is more than two years old and can submit proof that they have actively maintained their English since taking the test.

The waiver request will be evaluated by the admissions committee. Applicants who have other proof of English language proficiency can bring this to the attention of the admissions committee. Please note that the admissions committee will not evaluate waiver requests from applicants who have submitted an English test score that does not meet our minimum test score requirements, as stipulated below.

Please also note that submitting a waiver request does not mean that the admissions committee will decide to grant the request, and that the committee’s decisions are final.

We will need to receive the official English test score report one month before the start of the programme at the latest (so the test score does not have to be submitted before the application deadline).

The following tests are accepted:

TOEFL International - internet-based test (IBT)
TOEFL International - paper-based test (PBT)
IELTS Academic
C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

Chinese students are strongly recommended to take either the IELTS test or the TOEFL IBT, as one of these tests is required for their visa application.

Way of submitting score
Official scores should be sent by regular mail directly by the testing organisation.

If you took the test more than two years ago, please make sure to add a scan or photocopy of your test score to your online application file and describe any relevant experience, showing that you have been practicing your English since the time the test was taken. The admissions committee will then decide whether a waiver of this requirement can be granted.

Please note that third year Bachelor students of the UvA can do an IELTS test and receive a reimbursement of part of the IELTS fee. Please see below for more information about this ELTS test and the reimbursement.

IELTS test for third year Bachelor students of UvA

International test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)

We only accept the TOEFL iBT test (please note that we do not accept the TOEFL institutional test).

We do not accept TOEFL's MyBest Scores: to demonstrate that you meet the required level of English proficiency, you must achieve the minimum component scores and the minimum overall score in a single test.

Scores
Internet-based test and online Home Edition: minimum total score 100; minimum score for the reading test 24, listening test 22, writing test 24 and speaking test 25.

Paper-based test: minimum score for the reading test 24, listening test 22, and writing test 24; there is no minimum total score
TOEFL reporting code: the TOEFL reporting code for the University of Amsterdam is 9011. Students will need to enter this code on their answer sheets when sitting for the examination. If asked for a department code, please indicate none, or 99 (any department not listed).

Costs
The TOEFL test costs approximately € 225. The fee varies per country.

More information
For more information, please visit the TOEFL website.

International English language testing system (IELTS) Academic

The IELTS examination is organised by the British Council. Students can contact the nearest British Council centre in their home country to register for this test.

IELTS is available in two formats: Academic and General Training. The GSSS only accepts Academic test scores.

Scores
A minimum of 7.0 for the test, with a minimum of 6.5 for each test component.

Costs
The IELTS test currently costs approximately € 235. The fee varies per country. The University of Amsterdam offers its third year bachelor students a reimbursement.

More information
For more information, students in the Netherlands can contact the British Language Training Centre (BLTC).

Students in the rest of the world can contact The British Council.

Cambridge international examinations

Students can also take one of the English exams of Cambridge Assessment English, whose examinations are available in more than 150 countries.

We accept the following Cambridge exams: C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). We do not accept the B2 First (FCE) test.

Scores
C1 Advanced: minimum score of 190, and C2 Proficiency (passing the test suffices).

Costs
The Cambridge test costs approximately € 260 for C1 Advanced/CAE and € 275 for C2 Proficiency/CPE. The fee varies per country.

More information

For more information, students in the Netherlands can contact the British Language Training Centre (BLTC).

Students in the rest of the world can contact: Cambridge Assessment English.