English language requirements

Avans has set minimum English language requirements for foreign students. These requirements will vary depending on whether you plan to join us as an exchange student or a degree-seeking student.

Requirements for foreign degree-seeking students

To maintain high standards of English language competences in our international classrooms and in compliance with Dutch national guidelines, Avans has set minimum language requirements for foreign degree-seeking students. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet these requirements.

As a degree-seeking student for an English-taught degree programme, you must provide evidence of your language competence in the form of an official certificate: Cambridge (B2 first, C1 advanced or C2 proficiency), IELTS (academic), TOEFL iBT (traditional & paper edition), TOEIC, Pearson (PTE Academic) or LanguageCert (academic). Please check the table below for the minimum prerequisites.

Minimum prerequisites

Certificate	Score
Minimum CeFR-level	B2
Cambridge	Scale 169-175
IELTS* (overall band score)	6.0
TOEFL iBT*	80 (exams taken before January 21, 2026) 4 (exams taken on/after January 21, 2026)
TOEIC	Listening and reading: 865 Speaking and writing: 335
Pearson	61
LanguageCert	65

* Please note that we do not recognize or accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition or the IELTS Online test as proof of English language proficiency. Only tests taken at an examination center are considered.

Validity

IELTS (academic),TOEFL iBT, Pearson and LanguageCert test scores that are more than two years old at the start of the programme will not be accepted.

Exemptions

You are exempt from the English language proficiency test or statement if you:

have obtained a Dutch diploma of secondary education (HAVO, MBO4 or VWO);
have completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP), International Baccalaureate Careers-Related Program (IBCP) or the BTEC 3 extended program;
have a diploma of secondary education in a country listed in the diploma list as published on the website of the Dutch Code of Conduct International Student;
have completed your entire prior education in the United States, Australia, Canada (not including Quebec), New Zealand, United Kingdom or Ireland;
have completed your entire prior education in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba (the BES islands), Aruba, Curaçao or Suriname.

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Requirements for foreign degree-seeking students

Minimum prerequisites

Certificate	Score
Minimum CeFR-level	B2
Cambridge	Scale 169-175
IELTS* (overall band score)	6.0
TOEFL iBT*	80 (exams taken before January 21, 2026) 4 (exams taken on/after January 21, 2026)
TOEIC	Listening and reading: 865 Speaking and writing: 335
Pearson	61
LanguageCert	65

Validity

IELTS (academic),TOEFL iBT, Pearson and LanguageCert test scores that are more than two years old at the start of the programme will not be accepted.

Exemptions

You are exempt from the English language proficiency test or statement if you:

have obtained a Dutch diploma of secondary education (HAVO, MBO4 or VWO);

have completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP), International Baccalaureate Careers-Related Program (IBCP) or the BTEC 3 extended program;

have a diploma of secondary education in a country listed in the diploma list as published on the website of the Dutch Code of Conduct International Student;

have completed your entire prior education in the United States, Australia, Canada (not including Quebec), New Zealand, United Kingdom or Ireland;

have completed your entire prior education in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba (the BES islands), Aruba, Curaçao or Suriname.