Admission requirements for degree-seeking students

Before you apply to Avans University of Applied Sciences for a degree programme, you should read through the applicable admission requirements carefully to ensure that you can meet all of these requirements.

Check the specific requirements for your study programme.

Secondary education diploma

A Dutch higher general secondary education (havo), pre-university level (vwo) or intermediate vocational education (mbo level 4) diploma or equivalent international diploma is generally required to enrol on a study programme at Avans University of Applied Sciences. With regard to your foreign diploma, the Avans International Office can give you an indication as to whether your secondary school diploma is equivalent to one of the abovementioned Dutch diplomas.

If there is any doubt, Avans will have your diploma evaluated by the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education Nuffic. If you have specific questions about your diploma, please contact Student Info at [email protected]  or on +31 (0) 88 525 75 50.

English language 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: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or Cambridge ESOL. The minimum prerequisite for IELTS is an overall band score of at least 6.0. For TOEIC, you must have successfully passed the 'speaking and writing' and 'listening and reading' components. Please check the table below for details.

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

• you have obtained a diploma Dutch secondary education diploma: HAVO, MBO 4 or VWO.
• you have obtained 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.
• you have completed a degree in the United Kingdom, Ireland or the United states of America or possibly if you have completed a degree that was taught entirely in English.

International students who have undergone their preparatory education in English are also exempt from the mandatory language test or statement.

IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and Cambridge ESOL scores

CAE= advanced
FCE= First 

For the English language prerequisites for foreign exchange students we refer to the admission requirements for the exchange programme you want to follow.

Dutch language skills

Applicants must have a NT2 Dutch language certificate in order to be eligible for admission to Dutch taught study programmes. Different language skills requirements may apply to German students. Please contact the International Office at [email protected] or on +31 88 525 80 01 for more detailed information. NT2 courses are offered by various educational institutions in the three Avans cities. For more information about NT2 courses, check the website of Tilburg University. 

More information

The Terms of Enrolment are published on this web page Terms of Enrolment.
For more information on our admission requirements and the Terms of Enrolment, please contact  Student Info at [email protected]  or on +31 (0) 88 525 75 50.