Hanze minimum scores
From Hanze's language requirements page. Some programmes add subscore minimums, so check your programme's page too. Hanze's TOEFL institution code is 2165.
| Test | Bachelor and master minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (not online) | 6.0 (some master's 6.5) |
| TOEFL iBT (before 21 Jan 2026) | 80, no subscore below 17 |
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026) | 4.5, no subscore below 4.5 |
| PTE Academic | 61 |
| Cambridge or Linguaskill | 169–175 on the Cambridge scale |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65 |
| TOEIC | Listening and Reading 865, Speaking and Writing 335 |
Exemptions for bachelor's applicants
You may not need a test for a bachelor's if your secondary diploma is on Nuffic's diploma list, if you hold a Dutch havo, vwo or mbo-4 diploma, an IB or European Baccalaureate, or an English-taught diploma from Australia, Canada (English-speaking part), Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US. English-taught schooling within the EEA also counts with a signed and stamped school statement.
For master's programmes Hanze points you to each programme's page for exemptions, so an English-medium Indian, Pakistani or Nigerian bachelor's is not automatically enough. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted only in exceptional circumstances after internal review, and Duolingo is not listed.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Hanze programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Free test: are you at Hanze 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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Minimum vs competitive score
Where Hanze 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 Hanze University need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 for bachelor's programmes and 6.0 or 6.5 for master's, depending on the programme. Some programmes also set subscore minimums.
Does Hanze accept IELTS Online?+
No. Hanze does not accept online certificates such as IELTS Online.
Does Hanze accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 61.
Does Hanze accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not on Hanze's list. The accepted tests are IELTS Academic, TOEFL, Cambridge, Linguaskill, TOEIC, PTE Academic and LanguageCert Academic.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for the Netherlands
- University of Groningen IELTS requirement
- Saxion University IELTS requirement
- How long is IELTS valid?
- All 1393 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 14 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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