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Law, economics and governance, english proficiency.

At Utrecht University we expect our exchange students to be proficient in English. On this page we list the English language proficiency requirements and exceptions. 

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Utrecht University Heidelberglaan 8 3584 CS Utrecht The Netherlands Tel. +31 (0)30 253 35 50

utrecht university phd language requirements

How to become a PhD candidate

To become a PhD candidate you can apply to a specific PhD position that can be found on our vacancy website . If you can't find vacancies fitting your research interest, please consider sending an open application to the secretary of the research department of your interest .

Admission requirements

To apply for a PhD position you must:

  • Be familiar with the theory and methodology of the research field
  • Have a Dutch master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent)
  • Be proficient in English

Please read the job description carefully for any additional requirements. 

English language requirement

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that you are able to:

  • Communicate and interact well
  • Participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses
  • Write scientific articles and your dissertation
  • Successfully defend your PhD dissertation

Here's the minimum requirement if you want to apply for a PhD or EngD programme at TU Delft:

  • IELTS Overall band score is 7.0 (with scores of at least 6.5 for all sections)
  • TOEFL Overall band score is 100 (with scores of at least 21 for all sections) Note: The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted for the English proficiency, the TOEFL MyBest scores is not accepted.

You do not need to present the test results as part of your application; these results will be requested at a later stage during the selection procedure.

Accommodations for test takers with disabilities or health-related needs

The testing institutions IELTS and TOEFL have accommodations available for test takers with a specific learning difficulty – for instance dyslexia or a motor disability – or health related needs. If you, for example, need an extension of the test time, you can discuss this personally with the testing institution. For more information please visit the  IELTS website  and the  TOEFL IBT Test website .

Exemptions from English proficiency test

Native speakers will be exempt from the English test requirement, as well as, in principle, non-native applicants who have obtained an English-taught Master’s degree. If during the selection process it is deemed that the English proficiency of the candidate with an English-taught Master’s degree does not meet the requirements, they may also be asked to do a test. 

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  • Doctoral regulations & Implementation Decree

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utrecht university phd language requirements

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Entry requirements.

For all Master’s programmes at Utrecht University, the Admission Committee of the programme decides whether your are accepted. The Committee employs the following criteria:

  • Is your degree considered (at least) equivalent to a Dutch academic Bachelor's degree? The International Office assesses all international credentials according to the credential evaluation criteria of the Nuffic (the Netherlands Organisation for international cooperation in Higher Education), and advises the Admissions Committee on this subject.
  • Is your previous degree relevant to the Master's programme you are applying to, and do you meet the specific entry requirements for the Master's programme? See the website of the Master's programme > Admission and application
  • Are you proficient in English or Dutch (i.e., the language in which the programme is taught)?
  • Do you demonstrate talent and motivation? 

Check the website of the Master's programme > Admission and application for detailed information.

Are you uncertain whether you qualify for admission?

Discuss your situation in a timely manner with the contact person for your Master’s programme. You will find the contact details on the website of the programme (via ‘Master’s programmes’). Note: the contact person cannot make a decision as to whether or not you are admissible.

Utrecht University Heidelberglaan 8 3584 CS Utrecht The Netherlands Tel. +31 (0)30 253 35 50

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    Select language Nederlands nl. Breadcrumb. UU.nl. Organisation. PhD Programmes. PhD Programmes ... Utrecht University aspires to be an international university, in part through cooperation with partner universities. ... 29 September 2023. From now on, everyone who asks questions to a PhD candidate during a PhD Ceremony of Utrecht University is ...

  2. Doctoral Degree regulations and guidelines

    Before and during a PhD track, the PhD Candidate and their Supervisor or Supervisors are required to make sure that the Doctoral Degree Regulations are observed. The PhD Regulations of Utrecht University include a number of legal stipulations as they have been codified in the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act (Dutch name: Wet op het hoger ...

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  5. Required actions to complete a PhD programme

    See also: Doctoral Degree Regulations Article 16 and 19 and Instructions to the PhD candidate (pdf) Article 4, 5, 6, 9 and 11. 4. At least two months before the date of the PhD defence. For information on the possibilities of having a PhD ceremony online or in the Utrecht University Hall please contact the Beadle. 5.

  6. Language requirements for doctoral applicants

    Language requirements for doctoral applicants. On this page you will find accepted tests and ways to prove your English language proficiency if you are applying for doctoral studies at the University of Tartu. International applicants to PhD level programmes must provide a proof of English language proficiency at a satisfactory level (level B2 ...

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  9. English proficiency

    English proficiency - Law, Economics and Governance - Students UU. English proficiency. At Utrecht University we expect our exchange students to be proficient in English. On this page we list the English language proficiency requirements and exceptions.

  10. Utrecht University Admissions: Deadlines, Eligibility, fees, Selection

    Utrecht University Undergraduate Admissions. The University offers 3 years english-taught bachelor's degree programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Economics, English Language , Global Sustainability Science, History, Media and Culture, Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Admission portal: Apply through Online Portal. Application fee: 100 EURO.

  11. Language requirements

    Listening and Reading: minimum score of 720. Speaking and Writing: minimum score of 310. Cambridge English. Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): minimum score of 180. Cambridge English First (FCE): minimum score of 176. Some international students are granted exemption from the English language test for these Master's programmes.

  12. Application and admission

    English language requirements. IELTS, Academic Module (IELTS Online is not accepted). Minimum score: 6.5 overall band, 5.5 for writing. TOEFL, Internet based. Institutional scores are not accepted. The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062. Minimum score: 83 with 24 reading, 22 listening, 20 speaking, 17 writing; Cambridge ...

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  14. Types of PhD positions

    Doctoral Degree regulations and guidelines. Types of PhD positions. At Utrecht University, there are different ways to do a PhD: as an employee of the university or UMC Utrecht, or without being employed by the university or UMC Utrecht. The same entry requirements and dissertation quality requirements apply to all doctoral students.

  15. PhD Admission

    Here's the minimum requirement if you want to apply for a PhD or EngD programme at TU Delft: IELTS. Overall band score is 7.0 (with scores of at least 6.5 for all sections) TOEFL. Overall band score is 100 (with scores of at least 21 for all sections) Note: The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted for the English proficiency, the TOEFL MyBest ...

  16. Is a PhD track something for me?

    If so, then a PhD may be for you. Graduate Master's student wearing an academic beret. Photo by Kees Rutten. To pursue a doctoral programme, you must meet high academic requirements. First, you must have a Master's degree (or equivalent) within the relevant field. You must have mastered the associated theory and methods.

  17. Finishing a PhD track

    The PhD candidate is required to take action on the following occasions. 1. At least four months before the intended date of the PhD ceremony. After consultation with the supervisor or supervisors, the PhD candidate can upload the pdf of the manuscript in MyPhD.After formal approval in MyPhD by all supervisors, the first supervisor will receive an email with the request to recommend the ...

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  20. Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements. For all Master's programmes at Utrecht University, the Admission Committee of the programme decides whether your are accepted. The Committee employs the following criteria: Is your degree considered (at least) equivalent to a Dutch academic Bachelor's degree? The International Office assesses all international credentials ...