English language requirements for master's programmes taught in English

IELTS

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

TOEFL

Complete both of the following two steps:

1. Add the University of Bergen as a recipient of your test result, using the institution code 9367. This will enable us to verify your test result online. 
2. Upload a copy of your test result in SøknadsWeb.

Pearson

Send your score report to the University of Bergen through your Pearson account. In addition, upload a Pdf of your score report.

Please check our country list to see if you need to document your English Language Proficiency. If you are exempt from the English Language Proficiency requirement please upload documentation proving this in your application for admission.

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

Norwegian Upper Secondary School

Applicants who have

• passed examination in English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) with a minimum grade of 4 in Norwegian upper secondary school (or an equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school)

OR

• passed "programfag" in English (140 hours) from Norwegian upper secondary school.

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

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme with English at Higher Level (HL) with the minimum grade of 4 or English at Standard Level (SL) with the minimum grade of 5. 

The Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway & Sweden) 

Applicants who have:  

• passed examination in English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) with a minimum grade of 4 in Norwegian upper secondary school or an equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school 

OR 

• completed one of the following with English as the language of instruction in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden:
  • a bachelor's degree
  • a minimum of one year of master's degree studies 
    • The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, if it is not clear from your official transcript of records that your completed courses were taught in English at master's level.

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 with English as the language of instruction in Australia.

Bahamas

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in the Bahamas.

Barbados

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Barbados.

Botswana

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum): 

• Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (IUA)
• General Certificate of Education O-level
• Cambridge Overseas School Certificate
• General Certificate of Education A-level

Cameroon (English-speaking area)

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum): 

• General Certificate of Education O-level
• General Certificate of Education A-level

Canada

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

Fiji

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Fiji.

Gambia

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate
• General Certificate of Education O-level
• General Certificate of Education A-level

Ghana

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Senior Secondary School Certificate
• West African Senior School Certificate
• West African Examinations Council General Certificate of Education O-level
• West African Examinations Council General Certificate of Education A-level

Guyana

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Guyana.

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.

Ireland

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

Jamaica

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Jamaica.

Kenya

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Kenya Certificate of Education
• Kenya Certificate of secondary Education (from 1989)
• Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (until 1989)

Macao

Applicants with completed upper secondary school within the British system in Macao.

Malawi

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Malawi School Certificate of Education

Malaysia

Applicants with a bachelor's degree with English as the language of instruction.

Malta

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Malta.

Mauritius

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Mauritius.

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.

OR

• completed one 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 
    • The study level and language of instruction must be documented with a diploma supplement or a statement from your university, if it is not clear from your official transcript of records 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 with English as the language of instruction in New Zealand.

Nigeria

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Senior School Certificate (from 1988)
• West African Examinations Council General Certificate of Education O-level
• West African Examinations Council General Certificate of Education A-level
• West African Senior School Certificate (from 1999)

Uganda

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Ugandan Certificate of Educaion
• East African Certificate of Education
• Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education
• East African Advanced Certificate of Education

Samoa

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary school in English in Samoa.

Sierra Leone

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Senior School Certificate (from 2000)
• Cambridge Overseas School Certificate O-level
• West African Examinations Council General Certificate of Education O-level
• West African Examinations Council General Certificate of Education A-level

Singapore

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Singapore.

South Africa

Applicants who have completed both upper secondary school and an honours bachelor’s degree taught in English in South Africa.

Swaziland

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Cambridge Overseas School Certificate
• General Certificate of Education O-level

Tanzania

Applicants who have completed one of the secondary school examinations listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Certificate of Secondary Education
• East Africa General Certificate of Education O-level
• Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education
• Zanzibar O-level

Trinidad and Tobago

Applicants who have completed their entire upper secondary education in Trinidad and Tobago.

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 with English as the language of instruction in the United Kingdom. Please note that UK branch campus, validated and franchised programme and distance learning students are not exempt.

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 with English as the language of instruction in the USA.

Zambia

Applicants who have completed the secondary school examination listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Zambian School Certificate

Zimbabwe

Applicants who have completed the secondary school examination listed below (with English in the curriculum):

• Cambridge School Certificate
• General Certificate of Education O-level
• Cambridge Higher School Certificate
• General Certificate of Education A-level