Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Avans English scores for degree students
From Avans's English language requirements page. No IELTS band minimums are given.
| Test | Minimum (B2) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall | Test centre only; IELTS Online not accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 (before 21 Jan 2026) or 4.5 | Home Edition not accepted |
| PTE Academic | 61 | Max two years old at programme start |
| Cambridge | Scale 169 to 175 | B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency |
| TOEIC | Listening and Reading 865, Speaking and Writing 335 | |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65 |
Who does not need a test
You are exempt with a Dutch HAVO, VWO or MBO-4 diploma, the IB Diploma or IB Careers-related Programme, a BTEC level 3 extended programme, or a secondary diploma from a country on the Dutch Code of Conduct diploma list. Completing your entire prior education in the United States, Australia, Canada (not Quebec), New Zealand, the UK or Ireland also exempts you.
An English-medium school or degree from India, Pakistan or Nigeria is not on that exemption list, so most applicants from South Asia and Africa should plan on a test. Duolingo does not appear among the accepted certificates.
Free test: are you at Avans University of Applied Sciences's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Validity and how to check
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and LanguageCert scores more than two years old at the start of the programme are not accepted, so time your test against your intake, not your application date. Exchange students follow a separate set of rules.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Avans programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Avans University of Applied Sciences publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Avans need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall for English-taught degree programmes, which Avans treats as CEFR B2.
Does Avans accept IELTS Online?+
No. Avans accepts only tests taken at an examination centre, so IELTS Online and TOEFL iBT Home Edition are refused.
Does Avans accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 61 is the minimum.
Does Avans accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not on Avans's list of accepted certificates.
How old can my IELTS be for Avans?+
No more than two years old at the start of the programme.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for the Netherlands
- Breda University of Applied Sciences IELTS requirement
- Zuyd University IELTS requirement
- How long is IELTS valid?
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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