University of Groningen IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026
University of Groningen based in Groningen applies a single IELTS floor at both undergraduate and graduate level: overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Programme-specific minimums sit above this floor; the breakdown below lists every programme on this page that does.
University of Groningen requires a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for undergraduate admission and 6.5 overall for graduate study as of 2026. Individual programmes may set higher thresholds. All figures are sourced from the Groningen admissions page and verified on 2026-06-23.
Most bachelor's programmes require overall 6.5 with 6.0 in each band. The Faculty of Economics and Business is lower at 6.0 overall. Science and Engineering and Psychology programmes require 6.5 in all four bands. The Faculty of Law (International and European Law) requires 7.0.
Most taught master's programmes require overall 6.5 with 6.0 in each band. Science and Engineering requires 6.5 in every band. Law LLM programmes require 7.0 with 6.5 in all bands. Literary Studies (English specialisations) requires 8.0 with 7.5 in all bands - the highest at the university.
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Last verified 2026-06-23. The figures on this page are taken from University of Groningen's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.
About Groningen and its IELTS requirement
Groningen is unusually granular: requirements vary not just by level but by individual faculty. The range spans from IELTS 6.0 (Economics BSc) to 8.0 with 7.5 in all bands (English Literary Studies MA). Science and Engineering consistently requires 6.5 in all four bands, stricter than the 6.0 per-band baseline elsewhere.
Translating the published minimum into a study target
Undergraduate applicants to Groningen need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2. Most bachelor's programmes require overall 6.5 with 6.0 in each band. The Faculty of Economics and Business is lower at 6.0 overall. Science and Engineering and Psychology programmes require 6.5 in all four bands. The Faculty of Law (International and European Law) requires 7.0.
For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (CEFR B2). Most taught master's programmes require overall 6.5 with 6.0 in each band. Science and Engineering requires 6.5 in every band. Law LLM programmes require 7.0 with 6.5 in all bands. Literary Studies (English specialisations) requires 8.0 with 7.5 in all bands - the highest at the university.
Programmes that raise the bar
Several Groningen programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes Economics and Business (BSc) (overall 6.0), Law LLM programmes (overall 7.0), Literary Studies: English Literature and Culture (MA) (overall 8.0). Treat these as the target if you are applying to one of them; the institutional minimum does not over-ride a programme-level publication.
How to prepare for the Groningen IELTS minimum
A target of 6.5 (CEFR B2) is achievable for candidates with strong school-level English and 4-8 weeks of focused IELTS practice. The fastest gains usually come from Listening and Reading because the question types are predictable and trainable. Sit a full-length practice test first, identify the section that pulls your overall down most, and drill that section before scheduling the live exam.
Programme-specific IELTS minimums
These programmes publish IELTS thresholds that differ from the institutional minimum above. Verify the programme page for the most current value before you apply.
| Programme | Overall | Per-section |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Business (BSc) | 6.0 | - |
| Law LLM programmes | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Literary Studies: English Literature and Culture (MA) | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| Faculty of Law (International and European Law, BSc) | 7.0 | 6.0 |
Other English tests Groningen accepts
TOEFL iBT 90 (most programmes), PTE Academic 66, LanguageCert Academic 70, Cambridge C1/C2 with 180 points (no expiry). IELTS Online, TOEFL Home Edition, and TOEFL MyBest are not accepted.
Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.
Official sources
- University of Groningen - official English-language requirements (primary source for the bands on this page)
- IELTS.org - IELTS scoring in detail (official nine-band scale and how each band is awarded)
- British Council - IELTS band scores explained
Common questions
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