Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Fontys accepted tests and minimum scores
From Fontys's accepted English tests and minimum scores.
| Test | Overall | Each part | One part may be |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 | 61 | 58 |
| TOEFL iBT (traditional or paper edition) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65 | 65 | 60 |
| Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 169 | 169 | 162 |
| Linguaskill and Linguaskill Business | 169 | 169 | 162 |
| TOEIC | Listening and reading 865; speaking and writing 335 | L 400, R 385, S 160, W 150 | Not stated |
Test rules and exemptions
Fontys's English language requirements page says the test must be taken at an authorised test centre, not online, and be no older than two years when your study starts; Cambridge certificates do not expire. Duolingo is not accepted.
You may not need a test if your secondary diploma is from a country on the Nuffic diploma list with English on your final transcript, if you completed the IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme or European Baccalaureate in English, or if all your education was in English in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA or the UK. Fontys reserves the right to ask for a test whatever diploma you hold.
Free test: are you at Fontys 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.
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Master's, arts and deadlines
Fontys says the rules may differ for master's programmes, exchange students and the Fontys Academy of the Arts, so check with your admissions officer.
Its FAQ gives non-EU application deadlines of 15 November for the February intake and 15 June for the September intake.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Fontys programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Fontys 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 Fontys need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with 6.0 in each part; one part may be 5.5.
Does Fontys accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 61 overall and in each part, with one part allowed at 58.
Does Fontys accept the online IELTS?+
No. Fontys says the test must be taken at an authorised test centre, not online.
When is the Fontys deadline for non-EU students?+
15 June for the September intake and 15 November for the February intake, according to the Fontys FAQ.
Keep reading
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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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