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English language requirements

When applying to Aarhus University as an international student you must document your level of English language proficiency. Read more below about our English language requirements and how you can document your English language proficiency.


How do I document my English language proficiency?

Your level of English language proficiency must be comparable to the Danish upper secondary course 'English B level'. You can document this with:

  1. A test (TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge English Qualifications) or 
  2. Certain diplomas or certificates from previous studies 

You can read more below about the specific test requirements and which diplomas or certificates you can use to document your English language proficiency.  


1. A test (TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge English Qualifications)

You can demonstrate your English language proficiency through one of these three tests (no other tests are accepted):

IELTS Academic test Minimum score: 6.5
TOEFL (iBT) Minimum score: 83
Cambridge English Qualifications  Minimum score: 180 

It does not matter what your score is in the individual sections as long as you meet the minimum overall band score requirement.
You must upload your test result or registration receipt to your application in the online application portal.  

TOEFL iBT

Accepted test and minimum scores: Aarhus University accepts TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test. The minimum test score required is 83.

Expiration date: Please note that your TOEFL test cannot be more than two years old on the day that the application portal opens. 

Verification: Aarhus University verifies all test reports with the test provider.  

Additional information: Aarhus University does not accept any of the following tests: 

  • TOEFL ITP
  • TOEFL Essentials
  • MyBest Scores
  • Paper-based tests (including the TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution)

IELTS Academic test

Accepted test and minimum scores: Aarhus University accepts the IELTS Academic test and IELTS online. The minimum overall band score required is 6.5.

Expiration date: Please note that your IELTS test cannot be more than two years old on the day that the application portal opens. 

Verification: Aarhus University verifies all test reports with the test provider. 

Additional information: Aarhus University does not accept IELTS one skill retake.

Cambridge English Qualifications

Accepted test and minimum scores: Aarhus University accepts the following Cambridge English Qualifications tests:

  • Cambridge English Advanced (with grade A, B, or C)
  • Cambridge English First (with grade A) equivalent to at least 180 points on the Cambridge English Scale.

Expiration date: Cambridge tests do not have an expiration date.

Verification: Aarhus University verifies all test reports with the test provider.  

Additional information: You must share your test scores with Aarhus University through the Candidate Results Website. Remember to register using your ‘Candidate ID’ and ‘Secret Number’ obtained from your exam centre.



2. Certain diplomas or certificates from previous studies

To be exempt from submitting an English language proficiency test, you must either have completed university studies in a specific country or have completed specific upper secondary studies: 

University studies

  • Completed Bachelor's or Master's degree at a university in one of the following countries:

    • Australia
    • Canada
    • New Zealand
    • United Kingdom
    • USA
    • Ireland

    You must document that the degree programme was taught in English. 

  • Completed Bachelor's degree from a Danish university (admission after 2008)However, except for Danish-taught professional Bachelor’s degree programmes at Danish universities commenced before 2022, which did not have an English B requirement.
  • Completed Master's degree taught in English from a Danish university

University college studies from Denmark

Completed 3-year professional bachelor programme taught in English, from a Danish university collage.

Upper secondary studies

Danish upper secondary school

English B level from an upper secondary school ('gymnasium') in Denmark.

Nordic entrance examination

Entrance examination equivalent to English B level from an upper secondary school ('gymnasium') in Denmark.

You can find the relevant 'Guideline subject conversion table' under your country of origin at bachelor.au.dk

Please note that these conversion tables are updated once a year in the beginning of March and changes may be announced shortly before the application deadline.

Duborg entrance examination

Entrance examination with an English level equivalent to English B level from an upper secondary school ('gymnasium') in Denmark.

International Baccalaureate entrance examination

Entrance examination with an English level equivalent to English B level from an upper secondary school ('gymnasium') in Denmark from: 

  • International Baccalaureate: English Standard Level from the IB diploma programme
  • European Baccalaureate (EB): from the 'ScholaEuropaea' 

German Abiturzeugnis

Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife with English Leistungsfach(LF) / erhöhtes Anforderungsniveau(eA) / Kernfach(KF) / Profilfach/Profilgebendes Fach(PgF).

The subject must be passed with a single subject GPA equivalent of 2.0 on the Danish 7-point scale.  

Upper secondary exam/high school exam from the following English speaking countries

  • USA
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland



FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for admission before I have passed my English language test?

Yes, it is possible to apply for admission before you have taken your English language test and obtained the required result. When you apply, please upload a copy of your registration receipt and indicate when you expect to receive the test results. 

The test results must be available at the deadline for documenting English language qualifications. Please note that it can take a while for you to receive your test results from the test provider, so make sure to register to take the test in a timely manner.

When you have passed your English language test, you must upload your test result to your application. See the documentation deadlines.

If you are considered academically qualified for admission, you will receive a letter of admission conditioned on the submission of a sufficient test score before the announced deadlines.

What is the deadline for submitting my English proficiency documentation?

You must submit English proficiency documentation for Aarhus University by:

Commencement of studies August/September

  • 1 May for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
  • 1 August for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Commencement of studies January/February

  • 1 December for non-EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens
  • 1 January for EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens

Late submission may result in the admission offer being withdrawn.

You can find more information about deadlines for upload of final documentation here: https://masters.au.dk/deadlines-and-important-dates/upload-final-documentation-to-your-application.

I took the English test later than the application period. How and when can I upload my result?

When you have passed your English language test, you must upload your test result to your application on the application portal. See the documentation deadlines. If you are considered academically qualified for admission, you will receive a letter of admission conditioned on the submission of a sufficient test score before the announced deadlines.

Why do I need to meet the English language requirements?

Aarhus University is dedicated to providing high-quality education to students from all over the world. One of the ways that the university ensures that its students have a strong grasp of the English language is by requiring them to meet certain English language proficiency requirements. By demonstrating proficiency in English, students can be confident that they will be able to fully engage with their coursework and succeed in their academic pursuits at Aarhus University.

As a current exchange student do I need to document my English language proficiency?

Yes, as a former or current exchange students at Aarhus University, you will need to document your English language qualifications when applying for a full degree master’s degree programme.

Where do I find the specific English language requirements for the Erasmus Mundus-programmes?

As an Erasmus Mundus applicant you should refer to the specific English language requirements for Erasmus Mundus-programmes.




Any questions about English requirements?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the English requirements, do not hesitate to reach out to AU Admission at ma.admission@au.dk. We are here to help you.