Admission requirements

The Erasmus Mundus Journalism programme is taught entirely in English. Students are therefore expected to be able to read and understand academic texts, participate actively in lectures and classroom discussions, and complete written assignments and examinations in English. 

As part of the application process, all applicants must document a high level of English language proficiency, corresponding to CEFR level C1 or above, regardless of their chosen specialisation track, unless they are considered native English speakers. Applications that do not meet this requirement cannot be considered for admission or for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

Please note that the definition of who are automatically exempted from the requirement to submit an English test score, as well as the specific language test requirements, differ depending on the Year 2 specialisation university. This is due to immigration and visa regulations in the countries of the Year 2 specialisation university, which impose particular requirements regarding test formats and documentation.

It is therefore essential that you carefully review the language requirements for your preferred Year 2 specialisation before registering for an English language test:

Applicants exempt from submitting an English language test – University of Amsterdam track

The following applicants are automatically exempt from the requirement to submit an English language test score:

• Applicants holding citizenship of the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada (English-speaking provinces and territories), Ireland, or New Zealand.
• Applicants who have completed an English-taught bachelor's degree in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada (English-speaking provinces and territories), Ireland, or New Zealand.
• Applicants who have obtained an academic bachelor's degree (Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs) from a Dutch university.

Accepted English language tests, minimum scores, test format and validity period – University of Amsterdam track

1) IELTS Academic

The IELTS test is administered by the British Council and can be taken at authorised test centres worldwide. 

For applicants selecting the University of Amsterdam as their Year 2 specialisation, the following apply to the IELTS test:

• Only the IELTS Academic test taken at an authorised test centre is accepted; online tests are not accepted.
• IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted; therefore, the required score must be achieved in a single test.
• The test must be less than two years old at the time of application.
• Applicants must achieve both the minimum overall score and the minimum component scores in a single test.

Minimum scores:

• Overall score: 7.0
• Minimum score of 6.5 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)

2) TOEFL International - internet-based test (IBT)

For applicants selecting the University of Amsterdam as their Year 2 specialisation, the following apply to the TOEFL test:

• Only the TOEFL iBT test is accepted. Other test versions or modules are not accepted. Examples of this include but are not limited to: TOEFL home edition.
• TOEFL's MyBest Scores are not accepted.
• The test must be less than two years old at the time of application.
• Applicants must achieve both the minimum overall score and the minimum component scores in a single test.

TOEFL iBT 0 - 120: 

• Minimum total score 100
• Minimum score for the reading test 24, listening test 22, writing test 24 and speaking test 25. 

TOEFL iBT 1 - 6:

• Minimum total score 5.
• Minimum score for each test component: 5.

3) Cambridge: C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): 

• Minimum score of 190

C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). 

• Applicants just need to pass the exam

Applying for a language test exemption – University of Amsterdam track

Due to strict immigration regulations, applicants to the Mundus Journalism programme who choose the Year 2 specialisation at the University of Amsterdam cannot be granted an exemption from submitting an official English language test.

Applicants exempt from submitting an English language test – City St George’s University of London track

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are from one of the following countries or territories, or you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of them:

• Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, and the USA.

You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if one of the following applies:

• You are a national of Canada
• You already proved your level of English in a previous UK visa application process

Accepted English language tests, minimum scores, test format and validity period – City St George’s University of London track

1) IELTS Academic

The IELTS test is administered by the British Council and can be taken at authorised test centres worldwide. 

For applicants selecting the City St George’s University of London as their Year 2 specialisation, the following apply:

• Only the IELTS Academic test is accepted.
• Both onsite and online tests are accepted.
• IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
• The test must be less than two years old at the time of application for the UK visa, which takes place in the summer between Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme.
• Applicants must achieve both the minimum overall score and the minimum component scores in a single test.

Minimum scores:

• Overall score: 7.0
• Minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)

2) TOEFL International - internet-based test (IBT)

For applicants selecting the City St George’s University of London as their Year 2 specialisation, the following apply to the TOEFL test: 

• Only the TOEFL iBT test is accepted. Other test versions or modules are not accepted. Examples of this include but are not limited to: TOEFL home edition.
• TOEFL's MyBest Scores are not accepted.
• The test must be less than two years old at the time of application for the UK visa, which takes place in the summer between Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme.
• Applicants must achieve both the minimum overall score and the minimum component scores in a single test.

TOEFL iBT 0 - 120: 

• Minimum total score 100
• Minimum score for the reading test 20, listening test 20, writing test 20 and speaking test 20. 

TOEFL iBT 1 - 6:

• Minimum total score 5.
• Minimum score for each test component: 4,5.

3) Cambridge: C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): 

• Minimum score of 190

C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). 

• Applicants just need to pass the exam

Applying for a language test exemption – City St George’s University of London track

Due to strict immigration regulations, applicants to the Mundus Journalism programme who choose the Year 2 specialisation at City St George’s University of London cannot be granted an exemption from submitting an official English language test.

Language test enquiries – City St George’s University of London track

Applicants to the Mundus Journalism programme who choose the Year 2 specialisation at the City St George’s University of London should direct any enquiries regarding English language test requirements or exemptions to the admission’s officer, Sean Carrigan, at City St George’s University of London directly at sccpgtadmissions@citystgeorges.ac.uk.

Applicants exempt from submitting an English language test – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität track

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are from one of the following countries or territories, or you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of them:

• Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, and the USA.

Accepted English language tests, minimum scores, test format and validity period – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität track

1) IELTS Academic

The IELTS test is administered by the British Council and can be taken at authorised test centres worldwide. 

For applicants selecting the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität track as their Year 2 specialisation, the following apply:

• Only the IELTS Academic test is accepted.
• Both onsite and online tests are accepted.
• IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
• Applicants must achieve both the minimum overall score and the minimum component scores in a single test.

Minimum scores:

• Overall score: 7.0
• Minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)

2) TOEFL International - internet-based test (IBT)

For applicants selecting the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität track as their Year 2 specialisation, the following apply to the TOEFL test:

• Only the TOEFL iBT test is accepted.
• Both the TOEFL test center version and the TOEFL Home Edition are accepted.
• TOEFL's MyBest Scores are accepted.
• Applicants must achieve both the minimum overall score and the minimum component scores 

TOEFL iBT 0 - 120: 

• Minimum total score 100
• Minimum score for the reading test 20, listening test 20, writing test 20 and speaking test 20. 

TOEFL iBT 1 - 6:

• Minimum total score 5.
• Minimum score for each test component: 4,5.

3) Cambridge: C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): 

• Minimum score of 190

C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). 

• Applicants just need to pass the exam

Applying for a language test exemption – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität track

If you believe that exceptional circumstances apply and that you should be exempt from this language requirement, you must contact the coordinator at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Florian Stalph, at Florian.Stalph@lmu.de. If Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität approves an exemption, you must include documentation confirming this approval in your application package.

Language test enquiries – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität track

Applicants to the Mundus Journalism programme who choose the Year 2 specialisation at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität should direct any enquiries regarding English language test requirements or exemptions to Florian Stalph at Florian.Stalph@lmu.de.

Applicants exempt from submitting an English language test – Charles University track

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are from one of the following countries or territories, or you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of them:

• Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, and the USA.

Accepted English language tests, minimum scores, test format and validity period – Charles University track

1) IELTS Academic

The IELTS test is administered by the British Council and can be taken at authorised test centres worldwide. 

For applicants selecting the Charles University track as their Year 2 specialisation, the following apply:

• Only the IELTS Academic test is accepted.
• Both onsite and online tests are accepted.
• IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
• Applicants must achieve both the minimum overall score and the minimum component scores in a single test.

Minimum scores:

• Overall score: 7.0
• Minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)

2) TOEFL International - internet-based test (IBT)

For applicants selecting the Charles University track as their Year 2 specialisation, the following apply to the TOEFL test:

• Only the TOEFL iBT test is accepted.
• Both the TOEFL test center version and the TOEFL Home Edition are accepted.
• TOEFL's MyBest Scores are accepted.
• Applicants must achieve both the minimum overall score and the minimum component scores 

TOEFL iBT 0 - 120: 

• Minimum total score 100
• Minimum score for the reading test 20, listening test 20, writing test 20 and speaking test 20. 

TOEFL iBT 1 - 6:

• Minimum total score 5.
• Minimum score for each test component: 4,5.

3) Cambridge: C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): 

• Minimum score of 190

C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). 

• Applicants just need to pass the exam

Applying for a language test exemption – Charles University track

If you believe that exceptional circumstances apply and that you should be exempt from this language requirement, you must contact the international coordinator at Charles University, at michal.semian@fsv.cuni.cz. If Charles University approves an exemption, you must include documentation confirming this approval in your application package.

Language test enquiries – Charles University track

Applicants to the Mundus Journalism programme who choose the Year 2 specialisation at Charles University should direct any enquiries regarding English language test requirements or exemptions to Sandra Lábová, at sandra.labova@fsv.cuni.cz.