Admission to the PhD programme requires proficiency in written and spoken English. English language proficiency must be documented with a valid TOEFL ibt, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic test score if you are not covered by one of the exemptions.
Accepted tests and minimum scores
TOEFL
TOEFL - TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- Minimum total score of 90 with at least 19 in reading, 20 in listening, 20 in speaking and 24 in writing.
Please note that we do not accept TOEFL MyBest Scores to meet our English language requirements.
Please note that we do not accept TOEFL MyBest Scores to meet our English language requirements.
IELTS
IELTS Academic - International English Language Testing System or IELTS Online
- Minimum overall band score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing).
Pearson
PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online: Pearson Test of English Academic
- Minimum overall score of 62 with at least 58 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing).
Are you exempt from submitting an English language test?
The following applicants are exempt from submitting an English language test:
Norwegian upper secondary school
Applicants who have passed examination in English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) with a minimum grade of 4 in Norwegian upper secondary school (or an equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school) or passed "programfag" in English (140 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school.
Cambridge Assessment English exams
Applicants who, in 2005 or later, have passed the University of Cambridge exams
-
Proficiency (CPE) with the grades A, B or C
-
Advanced (CAE) with grades A, B or C
-
First with the grade A
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme with English at Higher Level (HL) with the minimum score of 4 or at Standard Level (SL) with the minimum score of 6.
Australia
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Australia, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in Australia.
Bahamas
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in the Bahamas.
Barbados
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Barbados.
Canada
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Canada, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in Canada.
Denmark
Applicants who have:
- passed examination in English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) with a minimum grade of 4 in Norwegian upper secondary school (or an equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school) or passed "programfag" in English (140 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school.
OR
- completed one the following with English as the language of instruction in Denmark:
- a bachelor's degree
- a minimum of one year of master's degree studies. The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, if it is not clear from your official transcript of records that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
Fiji
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Fiji.
Finland
Applicants who have:
- passed examination in English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) with a minimum grade of 4 in Norwegian upper secondary school (or an equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school) or passed "programfag" in English (140 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school.
OR
- completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Finland:
- a bachelor's degree
- a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, if it is not clear from your official transcript of records that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
Guyana
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Guyana.
Hong Kong
Applicants with completed upper secondary school from Hong Kong with an AS-level examination in Use of English with grades A-C or HKDSE English Language Subject Level grade 5.
Iceland
Applicants who have:
- passed examination in English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) with a minimum grade of 4 in Norwegian upper secondary school (or an equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school) or passed "programfag" in English (140 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school.
OR
- completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Iceland:
- a bachelor's degree
- a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, if it is not clear from your official transcript of records that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
Ireland
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Ireland, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in Ireland.
Jamaica
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Jamaica.
Macao
Applicants with completed upper secondary school within the British system in Macao.
Malta
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Malta.
Mauritius
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Mauritius.
The Netherlands
Applicants who have
- completed the subject “Engelse taal en literatuur” from VWO, with the minimum final grade (eindcijfer) of 6, or from HAVO, with the minimum final grade (eindcijfer) of 7.
OR
- completed one the following with English as the language of instruction in the Netherlands:
- a bachelor's degree
- a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, if it is not clear from your official transcript of records that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
New Zealand
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in New Zealand, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in New Zealand.
Norway
Applicants who have:
- passed examination in English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) with a minimum grade of 4 in Norwegian upper secondary school (or an equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school) or passed "programfag" in English (140 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school.
OR
- completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Norway:
- a bachelor's degree
- a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, if it is not clear from your official transcript of records that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
Samoa
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Samoa.
Singapore
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Singapore.
South Africa
Applicants who have completed both upper secondary school and an honours bachelor’s degree taught in English in South Africa.
Sweden
Applicants who have:
- passed examination in English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) with a minimum grade of 4 in Norwegian upper secondary school (or an equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school) or passed "programfag" in English (140 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school.
OR
- completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Sweden:
- a bachelor's degree
- a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, if it is not clear from your official transcript of records that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
Trinidad and Tobago
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Trinidad and Tobago.
United Kingdom
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in the United Kingdom, or a minimum of one year's university studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) in academic subjects with English as the language of instruction in the United Kingdom. Please note that UK branch campus, validated and franchised programme and distance learning students are not exempt.
USA
Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in the USA, or a minimum of one year's university studies (at least 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits) in academic subjects with English as the language of instruction in the USA.