Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026
CEU accepted tests and validity
From CEU's master's admissions page and bachelor's admissions page. The scores are the same on both pages.
| Test | Minimum score | Validity at application |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or IELTS Online | 6.5 | 2 years |
| TOEFL iBT or Home Edition | 88 (4.5 for tests after 21 January 2026) | 2 years |
| PTE Academic | 59 | 5 years |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 180 | 5 years |
| Euroexam Academic English C1 | Pass | 2 years |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | 1 year |
Exemptions for master's and bachelor's
Master's applicants are exempt if English is their first language, or if they have obtained, or will obtain this academic year, a bachelor's or master's degree taught exclusively in English. If your records do not state the language of instruction, upload an official letter from your university.
Bachelor's applicants are exempt with English as a first language, IB English at 5 or higher (HL or SL), SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 650 or higher, ACT of 27 or higher in both English and Reading, or at least two years at an English-only high school, with a letter if the records are silent. On both pages the Admissions Office may still request a test result.
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Programme differences and how to check
The master's page says Mundus MAPP and MESPOM have their own English requirements, so read those programme pages if you apply to them. CEU teaches in English and sits in Vienna.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your CEU programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Central European University (CEU), Vienna 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 CEU need?+
IELTS Academic or IELTS Online 6.5, no more than 2 years old at application.
Does CEU accept Duolingo?+
Yes, at 120, if the test is no more than 1 year old at application.
Does CEU accept PTE Academic?+
Yes, PTE Academic 59, valid for 5 years at application.
Can I skip IELTS at CEU with an English-taught degree?+
Master's applicants can, if their bachelor's or master's was taught exclusively in English, though the Admissions Office may still ask for a test.
Do the CEU Mundus MAPP and MESPOM use the same scores?+
No. The master's page says they have different requirements.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Vienna IELTS requirement
- WU Vienna IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- IELTS band score calculator
- All 5669 guides
Guide updated on 4 November 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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