Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026
HVL English scores
From HVL's English requirements page, marked modified 7 April 2026. It applies to international master's programmes and to applicants from outside the Nordic countries.
| Test | Minimum | Not accepted |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 | Home test and One Skill Retake |
| TOEFL | iBT 80, paper 550, or 4 on the 1-6 scale | MyBest scores (iBT Home edition is accepted) |
| PTE Academic | 59 overall | PTE Home test |
| Cambridge | B2 First B or better; C1 Advanced C or better; C2 Proficiency C or better | Not applicable |
Exemptions
You generally need no test if you completed at least one year of academic study taught in English in Great Britain, Ireland, the USA, Canada, New Zealand or Australia. Branch campus, validated and franchised programmes and distance learning are not exempt. A Nordic bachelor's degree taught in English, or at least 60 ECTS of Nordic master's study taught in English, also qualifies.
A university degree in English language or literature qualifies. Degrees in other subjects taught in English do not, and working in an English-speaking environment or living in an English-speaking country does not count.
Free test: are you at HVL'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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Programmes, deadline and fees
HVL's master's page lists English-taught master's programmes including Climate Change Management, Healthy Ageing and Rehabilitation, Maritime Operations, and Theatre in Social, Participatory Art, Community and Educational contexts. Fire Safety Engineering, Software Engineering and Sustainable Energy Technology are listed for EU/EEA applicants only. The non-EU/EEA deadline for 2027 entry is 1 December 2026, and students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland pay tuition fees.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your HVL programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) 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 score does HVL need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 for international master's programmes. The page states no per-band minimum.
Does HVL accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
No. HVL says it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake scores, and it also does not accept the IELTS Home test.
Does HVL accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic with an overall score of at least 59. The PTE Home test is not accepted.
Can I use a letter from my university instead of a test?+
No. HVL lists letters of proficiency from universities as not accepted.
What is the HVL deadline for non-EU applicants?+
1 December 2026 for the 2027 programmes, with online registration opening on 1 October 2026.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Bergen IELTS requirement
- University of South-Eastern Norway IELTS requirement
- Nord University IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- All 5669 guides
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.
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