Maastricht School of Management IELTS: 6.5 (No Band Below 5.5)

Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026

MSM accepted tests and scores

From MSM's English proficiency page. It applies to applicants without EU/EEA nationality.

Test	Minimum score
IELTS Academic	6.5 overall, no section below 5.5
TOEFL	88 internet-based; 570 paper-based or institutional paper-based
PTE Academic	59
TOEIC	720, with both Speaking and Writing and Listening and Reading passed
Cambridge	CPE grade C; CAE grade B
Duolingo English Test	120, accepted only for the part-time MSM-MBA

Exemptions at the Board's discretion

Applicants whose bachelor's or master's degree was taught in English, or who come from Anglophone countries, may be exempted. The previous university must confirm in a statement that the degree was in English.

The exemption is at the discretion of the MSM Board of Admissions, and the Board may still ask for a satisfactory score from one of the listed tests before it decides.

Free test: are you at MSM'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.

How to check your case

The page gives one standard for non-EU/EEA applicants and one programme-specific rule, the Duolingo option for the part-time MSM-MBA. For any other programme, ask the admissions team at MSM-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your MSM programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.

Minimum vs competitive score

Where Maastricht School of Management (MSM) 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 Maastricht School of Management need?+

IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no section below 5.5, for applicants without EU or EEA nationality.

Does MSM accept PTE Academic?+

Yes. PTE Academic 59 is on its list of accepted tests.

Does MSM accept Duolingo?+

Only for the part-time MSM-MBA, at 120. It is not accepted for other programmes on the page.

Can an English-medium degree replace IELTS at MSM?+

It may. The Board of Admissions can exempt you with a statement from your university, but it may still ask for a test score.

Keep reading

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.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

What IELTS score do you need for Maastricht School of Management (MSM)?