HSRW accepted English proofs
From HSRW's accepted English language proofs, which its guide for international applicants links for English-taught programmes.
| Test | B2 | C1 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 (4 from 21 Jan 2026) | 95 (5 from 21 Jan 2026) |
| PTE Academic | 59–75 | 76–84 |
| Cambridge | FCE grade B or C; PET with Distinction | CAE grade B or C; FCE grade A |
| IB Diploma | English with at least 5 points | Not listed |
Which master's need B2 or C1
HSRW's master's page lists B2 for Bionics, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Resources, Sustainable Development Management, Economics and Finance, Information Engineering and Computer Science, International Management and Psychology, and Design and Interaction, and C1 for Usability Engineering. Most also set a minimum bachelor's grade on the German scale, from 2.0 to 2.5.
Free test: are you at Rhine-Waal 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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Who is exempt, and how to apply
Without a test you qualify only with a secondary school diploma or a completed degree from the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or a few Caribbean states. An English-medium degree from India, Pakistan or Nigeria is not on that list, so plan on a test score. Duolingo is not accepted.
If your university entrance qualification is from outside Germany, you apply through uni-assist. Bachelor's degrees start in the winter semester only; master's degrees take both winter and summer intakes.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your HSRW programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Rhine-Waal 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 Rhine-Waal University need?+
IELTS Academic 5.5 for B2 programmes, which covers most English-taught degrees. C1 programmes such as the Usability Engineering master's need 7.0.
Does Rhine-Waal University accept an English-medium degree from India?+
Not as an exemption. HSRW waives the test only for school diplomas or degrees from the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and a few Caribbean states.
Does Rhine-Waal University accept Duolingo?+
No. Duolingo is not on HSRW's list of accepted English proofs.
Do I need German for an English-taught degree at HSRW?+
No. HSRW says proof of German is not required for English-taught degree programmes.
Keep reading
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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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