Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Zuyd English scores
From Zuyd's admission and registration page. The same scores apply to all English-taught programmes.
| Test | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall | At a test centre |
| TOEFL iBT | 4.5 (80 before 21 Jan 2026) | At a test centre |
| PTE Academic | 61 | At a test centre |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65 | At a test centre |
| TOEIC | 865 / 335 | Listening and Reading + Speaking and Writing |
| Cambridge / Linguaskill | Scale 169 to 175 | B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency |
Exemptions
You do not need to submit proof if you have an EU/EEA diploma with English as an exam subject, a diploma from the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia, an accredited international American high school diploma, British international (I)GCSE or A-levels, or an IB diploma.
Certificates are valid for two years and the test must be taken less than two years before your programme starts. Cambridge certificates have unlimited validity. Duolingo is not on Zuyd's list.
Free test: are you at Zuyd 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.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Non-EU deadlines and how to apply
Applications go through Studielink. For non-EU bachelor's applicants the deadline is 1 May for Applied Data Science and AI, Business Process Analytics and Change, Computer Science and Hotel Management, 1 June for Circular Cities and Communities, European Studies, International Business and Interdisciplinary Arts, and 1 March for Music. Non-EU master's deadlines are 1 June for Facility and Real Estate Management and Interior Architecture, 1 May for Scientific Illustration and 1 March for Music.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Zuyd programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Zuyd 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 Zuyd University need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, taken at a test centre, for English-taught programmes.
Does Zuyd accept PTE?+
Yes, PTE Academic 61 taken at a test centre.
What TOEFL score does Zuyd need?+
4.5 on the new scale, or 80 for tests taken before 21 January 2026.
When is the Zuyd deadline for non-EU students?+
It depends on the programme: 1 May or 1 June for most bachelor's programmes, and 1 March for Music.
Keep reading
Related
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- IELTS for the Netherlands
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- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 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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