Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
BI English scores
From BI's admission requirements for master programmes and bachelor programmes.
| Test | Bachelor's | Master's |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition) | 80 | 90 |
| PTE Academic (incl. Online) | 59 | 62 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Grade C | 176 |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | Grade C | 180 |
Waivers
For master programmes, BI says native English speakers, and applicants who completed two or more academic years of study where the language of instruction was English, may request a waiver. Applicants from Norway or the Nordic area do not need a test.
For bachelor programmes, high school or a bachelor's degree completed in the UK, USA, New Zealand, Canada, Australia or Ireland, or English in the IB at set grades, also meets the requirement. Duolingo is not listed.
Free test: are you at BI Norwegian Business School's score yet?
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Deadlines and GMAT
Master's applications received by 1 March get priority and BI accepts applications until 1 August, but applicants from outside the EU who do not live in Norway must apply by 15 June to allow time for a visa. Conditional offers are not given without GMAT or an English test, and you need both by 1 March to be considered for a scholarship.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your BI programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where BI Norwegian Business School 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 BI need for a master's?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall. TOEFL iBT 90 or PTE Academic 62 are the alternatives.
What IELTS does BI need for a bachelor's?+
IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or PTE Academic 59.
Can BI waive IELTS for an English-medium degree?+
Master's applicants who completed two or more academic years taught in English may request a waiver.
When should non-EU students apply to BI?+
By 15 June if you are from outside the EU and do not live in Norway. Applications received by 1 March get priority.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Norway
- NHH IELTS requirement
- University of Oslo IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 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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