Certification of English language skills

Most Kastu partner universities in the Netherlands accept a recognised Secondary School Leaving Certificate as proof of English – no TOEFL or IELTS needed.

You may qualify if you:

• completed secondary school in one of the countries listed below, AND
• passed your school-leaving exams including English, AND
• obtained a recognised Secondary School Leaving Certificate from that country.

Countries included in the exemption:

• Austria
• Belgium (Flanders)
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Norway
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Sweden

Which universities accept this? Almost all Kastu partner universities in the Netherlands recognise these certificates – so the vast majority of applicants do not need TOEFL or IELTS.

Exceptions:

• Radboud University – still requires an English test (TOEFL or IELTS) from all applicants.
• University of Groningen – accepts the Secondary School Leaving Certificate exemption for most programs, but some programs have additional English requirements. Always check the specific program page.

For all other Kastu partner universities in the Netherlands, your Secondary School Leaving Certificate is enough. Check the full list on the Required English tests page.

Important: Simply finishing school in one of these countries is not enough. Your Secondary School Leaving Certificate and exam results must match the requirements in the official document.

Check if your diploma qualifies: Official list of exempted diplomas (PDF)

If your Secondary School Leaving Certificate is not on the list, or if your chosen university does not apply this exemption, you will need TOEFL, IELTS, or another accepted English test.

Some Danish universities accept students who completed at least 210 hours of English instruction during the final three years of secondary education.

• If you meet this requirement, you may not need TOEFL or IELTS.
• If you do not meet it, you will need TOEFL, IELTS, or another accepted English test.
• The exact number of hours and how they are calculated depends on your country’s education system.

Check which Danish universities accept this on the Required English tests page.

• Accepted by virtually all universities.
• Kastu students get a 5% discount – details here.
• Choose the in-person (test centre) version – online versions are not accepted by most universities.
• Register early – popular dates fill up fast.

• One of the most widely accepted English tests.
• Important: only the Academic version is accepted (not General Training).
• Choose the in-person (test centre) version – online versions are not accepted by most universities.
• Register early – popular dates fill up fast.

More info: IELTS details

• Accepted by selected universities – always check whether your university accepts it before registering.
• Usually needs to be CAE (C1 Advanced) – very few universities accept FCE (B2 First).
• Cambridge certificates do not expire, but some universities may require a recent one.
• Choose the in-person version.

Duolingo is accepted by only a limited number of universities. It is not a universal alternative to TOEFL or IELTS.

• Taken online, from home.
• Before choosing Duolingo, check whether your specific university and program accept it.
• If your university does not accept Duolingo, consider the Denmark 210 English hours exemption (if applicable) or take TOEFL/IELTS instead.

You do not need to study from a textbook every day. The key is daily contact with the language:

• Watch series and films on Netflix or YouTube in English (turn on English subtitles if needed).
• Scroll social media in English – follow accounts that interest you.
• Switch your phone language to English.

AI tools like ChatGPT are one of the best ways to prepare:

• Ask it to simulate a speaking test – practise answering out loud.
• Write essays and ask for feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and structure.
• Ask it to explain tricky grammar rules in simple language.
• Use voice mode to practise pronunciation and listening.

This is free, available 24/7, and you can practise at your own pace.

• TOEFL: Free practice tests at ets.org/toefl
• IELTS: Free materials at ielts.org
• YouTube: Search for “TOEFL preparation” or “IELTS tips” – there are hundreds of free video lessons from experienced teachers.

You do not need to understand every word. Focus on the main idea of each paragraph first, then look at the details.

Strategy: Scan the text quickly → identify the main idea → then focus on specific parts related to the questions.

Do not study the night before the test. Let your brain rest. A good night’s sleep will help you more than last-minute cramming.

Focus on the process, not the result. You are preparing to study in English – enjoy the journey.

No. Many students can prove their English without TOEFL or IELTS. If your high school diploma qualifies for the Netherlands exemption, or if you meet the 210 English hours rule for Denmark, you may not need any additional test. Check the exemptions above.

In many cases, yes. You can submit your application first and upload the certificate later. Check the deadline for your specific university.

If your university accepts both, we recommend TOEFL – Kastu students get a 5% discount. If your university only accepts IELTS, go with IELTS Academic. Always check the Required English tests page first.

Here are some strategies:

• Include at least one university that accepts the Secondary School Leaving Certificate exemption (see the Netherlands section above).
• If you studied English for 210+ hours, consider Danish universities that accept this instead of a test.
• Choose universities with different English requirements – so you always have a backup option.

This way you still have options even if your TOEFL or IELTS score is lower than expected.

It depends on the test. Plan ahead so your results arrive before the university deadline. Check timelines on the test provider’s website.