English test requirement for all non-native speakers

All non-native speakers of English applying to the GSSS (Dutch and foreign students) are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English. All students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English.

Applicants with a nationality other than American, Australian, British, Canadian, Irish or New Zealand - as proven by the identity papers submitted (passport or birth certificate) - are required to submit a valid English test score. Not being able to do so means the applicant cannot enrol.

The following tests are accepted by the GSSS:
A. TOEFL (international)
B. IELTS
C. Cambridge
D. BLTC

Chinese students are strongly recommended to take the IELTS test or the TOEFL IBT, as one of these tests is required for their visa application.

Way of submitting score
Applicants must arrange for an official copy of the results to be sent directly by the testing institute to the GSSS before the application deadline. If the test was taken more than two years ago, please submit a photocopy and indicate in your curriculum vitae/resume any relevant experience showing that you have been practising your English since the time the test was taken. The admissions committee will then decide whether a waiver can be granted.

International test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)

There are two different types of TOEFL tests: the international test and the institutional test. The GSSS only accepts international TOEFL test scores.

Scores

• Computer-based test: minimum total score 230; minimum score on each component 18
  (components are: listening, structure/writing, and reading)
• Paper-based test: minimum total score 570; minimum score on each component 50
  (components are: listening, structure/writing, and reading)
• Internet-based test: minimum total score 88; minimum score on each component 16
  (components are: listening, structure/writing, reading, and speaking)

Additional test range
An additional English test will be required upon arrival in Amsterdam if the TOEFL score is between
* 230-240 on the computer test
* or 570-587 on the paper test
* or 88-94 on the internet test.
See section Additional testing & mandatory English proficiency course below.

TOEFL reporting number
The TOEFL reporting number of the University of Amsterdam, Graduate School of Social Sciences is 9678. Students will need to enter this code on their answer sheets when sitting for the examination. There is no need to enter a department code. When asked for a reporting number, do not use any other number than 9678! Otherwise your test score will get lost, as the University of Amsterdam is quite decentralised.

Costs
The TOEFL test costs approximately €155.

More information
For general information and for information on the examination, students can contact TOEFL.

International English language testing system (IELTS)

The IELTS examination is organised by the British Council at least once a month upon request. Students can contact the nearest British Council centre in their home country to register for this test.

IELTS is available in two formats: Academic and General Training. The GSSS only accepts Academic test scores.

Scores
A minimum of 6.5

Additional test range
An additional test will be required upon arrival in Amsterdam if the score is 6.5. See section 'Additional testing & mandatory English proficiency course' below.

Costs
The IELTS test costs approximately 183 EUR.

More information
For more information, students in the Netherlands can contact the British Language Training Centre (BLTC).

Students in the rest of the world can contact The British Council.

UvA / IELTS

UvA Bachelor students who are in their third year, can do a free IELTS test at the UvA. For more information and conditions, please go to the following page of the UvA website: www.student.uva.nl/englishtest.

Cambridge international examinations

Students can also take one of the 'English as a Foreign Language Exams' (FLE) of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) whose examinations are available in more than 150 countries.

There are three different types of Cambridge exams: First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The GSSS only accepts CAE and CPE, not FCE test scores.

Scores
CAE: minimum score of B
CPE: minimum score of C

Additional test range
If the Cambridge score is CPE C or CAE B, then an additional test will be required upon arrival in Amsterdam. See section 'Additional testing & mandatory English proficiency course' below.

Costs
The Cambridge test costs approximately 204 EUR for CAE and 221 EUR for CPE.

More information
Please contact the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations for more information.

BLTC test

For applicants residing in (or visiting) Amsterdam, an English proficiency exam is organised by the GSSS in collaboration with the British Language Training Centre (BLTC). This BLTC test is especially designed for GSSS applicants and is not necessarily accepted by other institutes.

Scores
The minimum passing score is 6.0. If a student scores between 6.0 and 6.5, he/she is required to take extra English language proficiency classes organised by the GSSS and the BLTC.

Costs
The BLTC test costs approximately 50 EUR.

Test information
The BLTC test consists of:

1. A use of vocabulary/grammar paper which tests language awareness through reading and answering questions on a text, and by selecting answers presented in a multiple choice format (1 hour).
2. A writing paper that requires the writing of a summary and the writing of an argumentative essay (1 hour). 
3. A speaking test that involves presenting ideas on a general topic and discussing follow-up arguments (10-12 minutes).

The BLTC test is diagnostic, which means that the test assesses a student's current skill in using English, and highlights areas of English in which the student is less skilled. To this extent, if a student feels the need to prepare for the test, he/she should work on the areas of English which he/she is weak at. 

Test data 

• For students applying for enrolment in February 2010, tests are organised in September and October 2009.
  
  The test date is:
  - 9 October 2009

• For students applying for enrolment in September 2010, tests are organised in March/April/May 2010. The exact dates and further information will be published on our website in due time.

Registration
You can register for this English test by sending an email one week before the test date at the latest to Renée Sterk.

Please note that there is a maximum of 20 students per test, so first come, first serve!

Please state your name and study programme. Also state if you have already done the BLTC test before and want to do this test a second time.

You will then receive an email confirming your test date, informing you on the exact time for the speaking test and giving you instructions on how to pay the fee.

Important notes
Please note that:

• Only students applying to one of the GSSS programmes can register for this test.
• Not paying the fee in time means you will not be able to take the test the following day.
• The fee is not refundable and cannot be exempted.
• All non-native speaking applicants not registering for this test - regardless of reason - are expected to submit a TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge test score with their application documents.
• Students scoring below 6.0 for this test are required to improve their English up to the minimum required level with an intensive English proficiency course like the one offered by BLTC. They should submit a valid TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge test score one month before a possible enrolment at the latest. Not being able to do so means he/she cannot enrol.
• Please also note that if more qualified students apply for a programme than places are available, the ones that already submitted a valid English test score before or soon after the application deadline are given priority.

Additional testing and mandatory English proficiency course

Students need to improve their English if they have submitted

• a TOEFL score between
  - 230 and 240 (computer test)
  - 570 and 587 (paper test),
  - 88 and 94 (internet test)
• an IELTS score of 6.5
• a Cambridge
  - CPE C
  - CAE B score.   

In order to determine your improved English skills, we will organise an additional English proficiency test at the start of the study programme. If students score below 6.5 in this additional test, English proficiency classes will be provided by the GSSS in collaboration with the British Language Training Centre (BLTC). This English language proficiency course is free of charge for students with a low score for their English language test.

Students may also be required to take an extra test during the course of their studies if there is doubt about their proficiency in English.

Students with a good score for their English language test but who are nevertheless interested in taking the English language proficiency course should send an email to their programme manager and Renée Sterk. They can take the English language classes on payment of approximately EUR 100.