ScoreFluent

Official sources checked 6 October 2026

Which English test should you take for a Dutch university?

Dutch institutions set programme requirements. Check the exact test version and delivery mode before relying on a familiar exam name.

Short answer: use the exact programme page. The Dutch government tells applicants to check course requirements with the university or university of applied sciences. See the official application guidance.

The institution handles two different decisions

Academic admission

The programme assesses you

It checks your diploma, subject preparation, English evidence and any selection criteria.

Residence permit

The sponsor applies to IND

For eligible non-EU/EEA applicants, the recognised educational institution normally submits the study residence application.

Your job

Keep both checklists

An admission offer does not erase immigration conditions, and a residence process does not lower programme entry requirements.

A University of Amsterdam programme example

The UvA European Studies bachelor's page for applicants with international prior education currently lists IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Cambridge C2 Proficiency, with overall and component requirements.

That programme also excludes examples such as IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS Online, TOEFL Home Edition and TOEFL MyBest Scores. Its result-age and submission-deadline rules are part of the requirement. Another UvA programme or Dutch institution may publish a different set.

Check the UvA European Studies example →

Turn each programme page into comparable fields

  1. Confirm the language of instruction. Do not assume every international-looking programme is fully taught in English.
  2. Record test and version. Include whether online, home, retake or combined-score results are excluded.
  3. Record scores and date. Capture overall, components, result age and the deadline for supplying evidence.
  4. Check alternatives. Review diploma-based exemptions, English-medium prior education and any programme-specific assessment.
  5. Choose from the overlap. Compare format and logistics only after one test survives every application on your list.

Compare speaking and task formats →

Frequently asked questions

Which English test is accepted by every Dutch university?

There is no single universal test list. The institution and programme publish the accepted evidence, scores, subscore minimums, delivery restrictions and exemptions.

Do English-taught programmes require Dutch?

Not necessarily for admission, but programme rules differ and Dutch may matter for particular modules, placements, professional registration or life and work outside the course.

Does the Dutch residence permit set the university English score?

The institution assesses admission and normally applies to the IND as a recognised sponsor for eligible non-EU students. The programme’s language requirement and the residence-permit conditions are distinct checks.

Can I use an at-home English test?

Only if the exact programme policy accepts that delivery mode. The University of Amsterdam example on this page excludes several online, home and combined-score variants.

Official sources

Requirements change. Check the immigration authority and the receiving institution or programme again before booking a test or submitting an application.

Related destination guides

Practise an accepted version.

ScoreFluent supports IELTS, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 Advanced practice, among other exams. Check the Dutch programme's current rules for versions, delivery modes and section scores.

Explore practice →