English proficiency requirement for master's programmes taught in English

English language proficiency for programmes taught in English must be documented with one of the tests below, unless you are exempt according to the list of exemptions. 

Minimum scores for European Languages:
- English Language and Linguistics
- English Literature
- American and British Studies

Test results must be valid (not older than two years) on the date of the application deadline.

TOEFL

TOEFL - TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition

  • Minimum total score of 108 with at least 25 in reading, 25 in listening, 23 in speaking and 27 in writing.

Please note that we do not accept TOEFL MyBest Scores to meet our English language requirements.

IELTS

IELTS Academic - International English Language Testing System or IELTS Online

  • Minimum overall band score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing).

Pearson

PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online: Pearson Test of English Academic

  • Minimum overall score of 74 with at least 65 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing).

Minimum scores for all other master's degree programmes

Test results must be valid (not older than two years) on the date of the application deadline.

    TOEFL

    TOEFL - TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
    • Minimum total score of 90 with at least 19 in reading, 20 in listening, 20 in speaking and 24 in writing. 

    Please note that we do not accept TOEFL MyBest Scores to meet our English language requirements.

    IELTS

    IELTS Academic - International English Language Testing System or IELTS Online
    • Minimum overall band score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing). 

    Pearson

    PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online: Pearson Test of English Academic
    • Minimum overall score of 62 with at least 58 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing). 

    How to document test results

    TOEFL

    Upload a copy of your official Test Taker Score Report in Søknadsweb. The University of Oslo will verify your test result online.

    IELTS

    Upload a copy of your official test result with a legible TRF number in the bottom right corner. The University of Oslo will verify your test result online. It is currently not possible to submit test results with an IELTS institutional code.

    Pearson

    Send your score report to the University of Oslo through your Pearson account. In addition, you must upload a PDF of your score report.

    Are you exempt from submitting an English language test?

    The following applicants are exempt from submitting an English language test: 

    Cambridge Assessment English exams

    Applicants who, in 2005 or later, have passed the University of Cambridge exams 

    • C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)), with the grades A, B or C
    • C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) with the grades A, B or C
    • B2 First (formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE)) with the grade A

    You must send your results to the University of Oslo via the Cambridge English Candidate Results Website. Log in using your 'ID number' and 'secret number' and click 'Send my result'. In addition, you must upload your Statement of Results to the application portal. 

    International Baccalaureate (IB)

    Applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme with English at Higher Level (HL) with the minimum score of 4 or at Standard Level (SL) with the minimum score of 6. 

    In order to document that you fulfil the requirement, you must upload your official IB Diploma/certificate and official transcript of records. 

    Country-specific exemptions:

    Australia

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Australia, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in Australia.

    If you have completed your entire upper secondary education in Australia, you must scan and upload your official upper secondary certificate/diploma and transcripts.

    In order to document that you fulfil the requirement with academic subjects from Australia, you must paste a link into a text document that directs to your official documents in My eQuals and upload it to the application portal Søknadsweb. If your university does not offer this service, please upload a scan of the official transcript and a scan of your official final bachelor's degree certificate (testamur).

    Please note that international branch campus, validated/franchised programme and distance learning students are not exempt. The location of your studies must be documented. 

    Bahamas

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in the Bahamas. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Barbados

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Barbados. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Canada

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Canada, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in Canada.

    If you have completed your entire upper secondary education in Canada, you must scan and upload your official upper secondary certificate/diploma and transcripts.

    In order to document that you fulfil the requirement with academic studies from Canada, your official transcript of records must be sent directly from your institution. Either as an e-Transcript (secure PDF) or by regular mail.

    E- mail address: international[a]admin.uio.no.

    Postal address: The University of Oslo, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 1081, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway

    For courier service: The University of Oslo, Admissions Office, 3rd floor, Lucy Smith Building, Problemveien 7, NO-0371 Oslo, Norway

    Please note that international branch campus, validated/franchised programme and distance learning students are not exempt. The location of your studies must be documented. 

    Denmark

    Applicants who have:

    • passed the following from upper secondary school in Denmark:  

    • English C with 7 or better at ÷ 3-12 scale or 8 or better at 00-13 scale (average of all grades) or 

    • English A or B  with 02 at ÷ 3-12 scale or 6 at 00-13 scale (average of all grades) 

    OR

    completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Denmark:

    • a bachelor's degree
    • a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, confirming that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
    Fiji

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Fiji. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Finland

    Applicants who have:

    • passed one of the following from upper secondary school in Finland: 
      • English A at avgångsbetyget från gymnasiet/ Lukion päästotodistus with grade 8 or better  

      • English lång lärokurs on studentexamensbetyget/ ylioppilastutkintotodistus with Cum laude approbatur 

    OR

    completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Finland:

    • a bachelor's degree
    • a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, confirming that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
    Guyana

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Guyana. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Hong Kong

    Applicants with completed upper secondary school from Hong Kong with an AS-level examination in Use of English with grades A-C or HKDSE English Language Subject Level grade 5. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Iceland

    Applicants who have:

    • passed the following from upper secondary school in Iceland: 

    • English at Stúdentspróf with 200-240 fein (framhaldsskolaeiningar) (certificate after the 2008 reform) if you have 10 fein in English at level 2 or 3 (2. or 3. Þrep) with grade 8,0 or better (average of all modules)  

    • English at Stúdentspróf with 140 einingar (certificate before the 2008 reform) if you have 9 einingar in English with grade 8,0 or better (average of all modules) 

    OR

    completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Iceland:

    • a bachelor's degree
    • a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university confirming that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
    Ireland

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Ireland, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in Ireland. 

    If you have completed your entire upper secondary education in Ireland, please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    In order to document that you fulfil the requirement with academic subjects from Ireland, you must upload an official transcript of records and an official bachelor's degree certificate.

    Jamaica

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Jamaica. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Macao

    Applicants with completed upper secondary school within the British system in Macao. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Malta

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Malta. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Mauritius

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Mauritius. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    The Netherlands

    Applicants who have

    • completed the subject “Engelse taal en literatuur” from VWO, with the minimum final grade (eindcijfer) of 6, or from HAVO, with the minimum final grade (eindcijfer) of 7. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    OR

    completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in the Netherlands:

    • a bachelor's degree
    • a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, confirming that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
    New Zealand

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in New Zealand, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in New Zealand.

    If you have completed your entire upper secondary education in New Zealand, please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    In order to document that you fulfil the requirement with academic subjects from New Zealand, you must paste a link into a text document that directs to your official documents in My eQuals and upload it to the application portal Søknadsweb. If your university does not offer this service, please upload a scan of the official transcript and a scan of your official final bachelor's degree certificate.

    Norway

    Applicants who:

    • can document a minimum average grade of 4,0 in English foundation course (140 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school. If you have more than one grade in English foundation course (140 hours), the average of these grades must be 4,0 or higher. You cover the requirement if you have passed "programfag" in English with a scope of at least 140 hours or equivalent.

    OR

    have completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Norway:

    • a bachelor's degree
    • a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university confirming that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
    Samoa

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Samoa. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    Singapore

    Applicants who have passed English with the grade E or better in General Certificate of Education Advanced level from Singapore. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    South Africa

    Applicants who have completed both upper secondary school taught in English in South Africa, and an honours bachelor’s degree taught in English in South Africa. Please upload the official diploma and transcript for both your upper secondary school and your honours bachelor's degree. 

    Sweden

    Applicants who have:

    • passed the following from upper secondary school in Sweden: 

    • English 5 and 6 from GY11 with at least a C in both subjects   

    OR

    completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Sweden:

    • a bachelor's degree
    • a minimum of one year of master's degree studies (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits). The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, confirming that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.
    Trinidad and Tobago

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Trinidad and Tobago. Please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    United Kingdom

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in the United Kingdom, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (corresponding to 60 ECTS credits) with English as the language of instruction in the United Kingdom. 

    If you have completed your entire upper secondary education in the UK, please upload your upper secondary diploma and transcript.

    In order to document that you fulfil the requirement with academic studies from the UK, you must upload a scanned copy of the original transcript/academic record and diploma/degree certificate. If your institution uses GradIntel or Digitary you must provide a valid weblink for verification. Please indicate UiO as a third party recipient. Document access information should be sent to international[a]admin.uio.no. For Digitary, please upload a document with the weblink to Søknadsweb.

    Please note that international branch campus, validated/franchised programme and distance learning students are not exempt. The location of your studies must be documented. 

    USA

    Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in the USA, or a minimum of one year's university studies in academic subjects (at least 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits) with English as the language of instruction in the USA.

    If you have completed your entire upper secondary education in the USA, you must scan and upload your official upper secondary certificate/diploma and transcripts.

    In order to document that you fulfil the requirement with academic studies from USA, your official transcript of records must be sent directly from your institution. Either as an e-Transcript (secure PDF) or by regular mail.

    E- mail address: international[a]admin.uio.no.

    Postal address: The University of Oslo, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 1081, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway

    For courier service: The University of Oslo, Admissions Office, 3rd floor, Lucy Smith Building, Problemveien 7, NO-0371 Oslo, Norway

    Please note that international branch campus, validated/franchised programme and distance learning students are not exempt. The location of your studies must be documented. 

    Published Jan. 4, 2017 3:20 PM - Last modified Nov. 15, 2023 4:53 PM