English language proficiency MSc

All of our master’s programmes are in English. If you are applying for one of our Master degree programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You are therefore asked for an English language test unless you qualify for one of the exemptions as specified below. You will need to provide us with the proof of English language proficiency before we take your application in process.

Within Wageningen University we distinguish between two levels of English proficiency. When applying, make sure that you meet the minimum test results that are needed for your programme(s) of choice.

Master programmes - English Level 1 Master programmes - English Level 2
Animal Sciences Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management
Biobased Sciences Biology
Bioinformatics Communication, Health and Life Sciences
Biosystems Engineering Consumer Studies
Biotechnology Development and Rural Innovation
Climate Studies Economics of Sustainability
Data Science for Food and Health Food Quality Management
Earth and Environment Food Safety
Environmental Sciences Governance of Sustainability Transformations
Food Technology International Development Studies
Food Technology (online master's programme) International Land and Water Management
Forest and Nature Conservation Landscape Architecture and Planning
Geo-information Science Metropolitan Analysis Design and Engineering
Tourism, Society and Environment Organic Agriculture
Molecular Life Sciences Plant Biotechnology
Nutritional Epidemiology and Public Health (online master’s programme) Plant Breeding (online master’s programme)
Nutrition and Health Plant Sciences
Urban Environmental Management Sustainable Supply Chain Analytics
Water Technology Sustainable Business and Innovation

Accepted English language tests

Level 1 Level 2
IELTS Academic Test (IELTS online is not accepted) Overall grade 6.0 (with a minimum sub-score of 6.0 for speaking) Overall grade 6.5 (with a minimum sub-score of 6.0 for speaking)
TOEFL IBT and TOEFL IBT Home Edition (institution code: 0542) internet-based 80 (with a minimum sub-score of 20 for speaking) internet-based 92 (with a minimum sub-score of 23 for speaking)
Cambridge FCE/B2 First score between 169-190 or Grade B score between 176-190 or Grade A
Cambridge CAE/C1 Advanced score between 169-210 or Grade C score between 176-210 or Grade C
Cambridge CPE/C2 Proficiency score between 180-230 or Grade C score between 180-230 or Grade C
TOEIC Listening & Reading 670 and Speaking & Writing 290 Listening & Reading 720 and Speaking & Writing 310
RATEr (only applicable to EU/EEA/EFTA applicants) Listening pass, Reading pass, Writing borderline, Speaking borderline Listening pass, Reading pass, Writing pass, Speaking pass

We advise you to book a test at least 3 months prior to our application deadline as sometimes test dates become full quickly
and results can take time to become available. The IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC tests should be taken no longer than 24 months prior to the day of your application. Information and registration for these different tests can be found on the website of TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, TOEIC and RATEr.

Exemptions: general

Bachelor's/Master's at a Dutch University (WO)

Applicants who have completed their Bachelors/Masters at a Dutch University (WO) are exempted from submitting an English Proficiency test.

Bachelors at a Dutch University of Applied Science (HBO) taught in English

Applicants who have completed a Bachelors programme at a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO) conducted completely in the English language are exempted from submitting an English Proficiency test. They are required to upload a signed statement from their institution that the medium of instruction during the complete Bachelor’s programme they followed was English. A diploma supplement stating this information is also sufficient.

Minor programme at Wageningen University (24 ECTS)

Students who have completed a Minor programme at Wageningen University with a minimum of 24 ECTS in English taught WUR-courses. Please upload your transcript of records of all obtained courses at Wageningen University in the portal.

Bachelor's/Master's in one of the exemption countries

Applicants who have completed their higher education entirely taught in the English language (except online and double degree programmes) in one of the following countries are exempted from submitting an English proficiency test: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK or the USA.

Exemptions: accepted European secondary education

Country Name of Diploma Name of Exam Level 1 Level 2
Austria Reifezeugnis/ Reifeprüfungszeugnis Reifeprüfung Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schule (AHS) "Genügend" for English "Befriedigend" for English
Austria Reife- und Diplomprüfungszeugnis Reifeprüfung Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schule (AHS) "Genügend" for English "Befriedigend" for English
Belgium Diploma van secundair onderwijs Examen Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs, derde graad (ASO) 60 for English 70 for English
Belgium Diploma van secundair onderwijs Examen Kunst- en Technisch secundair onderwijs, derde graad (KSO/TSO) 60 for English 70 for English
Denmark Studentereksamenbevis (STX) Højere Forberedelseksamen (HF) 5.0 for English (A-level) 8.0 for English (A-level)
Denmark Bevis for Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) Højere Forberedelseksamen (HF) 5.0 for English (A-level) 8.0 for English (A-level)
Estonia Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus Riigieksamid Gümnaasium 65 for English 85 for English
Finland Ylioppilastutkintotodistus Ylioppilastutkinto/ Studentexamen (Matriculation Examination) at least "cum laude approbatur" at least "magna cum laude approbatur"
Finland Studentexamenbevis Ylioppilastutkinto/ Studentexamen (Matriculation Examination) at least "cum laude approbatur" at least "magna cum laude approbatur"
Finland Matriculation Examination Certificate Ylioppilastutkinto/ Studentexamen (Matriculation Examination) at least "cum laude approbatur" at least "magna cum laude approbatur"
Germany Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife Abiturprüfung Gymnasium 6 for English 9 for English
Germany Fachhochschulreife Hochschulreifeprüfung Berufsoberschulen 2.0 for English 1.5 for English
Hungary Gimnáziumi Érettségi Bizonyítvány Érettségi vizsga (Matura Examination) 5 for English (emelt szintű) 5 for English (emelt szintű)
Hungary Szakközépiskolai Érettségi-képesítő Bizonyítvány Érettségi vizsga (Matura Examination) 5 for English (emelt szintű) 5 for English (emelt szintű)
International European Baccalaureate Certificate European Baccalaureate Certificate English as Language 1 or Language 2 English as Language 1 or Language 2
International International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme International Baccalaureate Diploma Language of instruction English or English A Language and Literature 3 Language of instruction English or English A Language and Literature 4
Latvia Atestāts par Vispārējo Vidējo Izglītību (Certficate of Secondary Education) Centralizētais eksāmens (National Examination) At least grade "A" or "B" At least grade "A" or "B"
Lithuania Brandos Atestata (Maturity Certificate) Brandos Egzamino (Final Matura Examination) At least 70 points At least 85 points
Luxembourg Diplôme de Fin d'Études Secondaires Examen de fin d'études secondaires 37 for English 47 for English
Netherlands HAVO HAVO examen 7 for English 8 for English
Netherlands VWO VWO examen 6 for English 7 for English
Norway Vitnemal for Videregående Skole (Secondary School Certificate) Eksamen fellesfag ENG 1002/1003 3.6 for English 4.5 for English
Norway Vitnemal for Videregående Skole (Secondary School Certificate) Eksamen programfag SPR3008 (Vg2), SPR3010 (Vg3), SPR3012 (Vg3) 3.6 for English 4.5 for English
Romania Diploma de Bacalaureat (obtained after 2005) Examenul de Bacalaureat 7.4 or B2 for English 8.4 or B2 for English
Slowakia Vysvedčenie o Maturitnej skúške (obtained from a Gymnázium) Maturita 50% for English B2 60% for English B2
Sweden Högskoleförberedande Examen Eksamen English 5, Engilsh 6, English 7 D for Engelska 7 C for Engelska 7

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