Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
NMBU English scores
From NMBU's language requirements page. Test results cannot be older than two years and are all verified.
| Test | Bachelor's | Master's and PhD |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or Academic Online | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT or Home Edition | 80 or 4.5 | 92 or 5.0 |
| PTE Academic | 59 | 65 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Grade C | Grade C |
| Cambridge B2 First | Grade B | Not applicable |
Exemptions
You are exempt with at least one year of university study in Great Britain, Ireland, the USA, Canada, New Zealand or Australia (not branch campus, franchised or distance programmes), a bachelor's or 60 ECTS of master's study taught in English in a Nordic country or the Netherlands, or a degree in English language or literature.
Working in English or living in an English-speaking country does not count. An English-medium degree from India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh is not on the exemption list. IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted, and Duolingo is not listed.
Free test: are you at NMBU'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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Deadlines
Per NMBU's application procedures, the portal for international master's applicants opens on 15 October and the deadline is 1 December; programmes start the following August. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens apply between 15 February and 15 April.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your NMBU programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where NMBU (Norwegian University of Life 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 NMBU need for a master's?+
IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, the same as for PhD programmes.
What IELTS does NMBU need for a bachelor's?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall.
Does NMBU accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 65 for master's and PhD, and 59 for bachelor's.
Does NMBU accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
No. NMBU says One Skill Retake tests are not accepted.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Norway
- University of Agder IELTS requirement
- NTNU IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- 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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