Can your secondary school leaving certificate replace an English test?
At most Kastu partner universities in the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders), your secondary school leaving certificate can be enough* as proof of English for bachelor's programs. This works if you finished school in one of the 14 countries on the official Dutch diploma list and English was one of your school subjects.
* You only need to pass English – your grade doesn't matter!
Is the country where you finished school on the list? The official Dutch diploma list currently includes secondary school leaving certificates from these 14 countries:
- Austria
- Belgium (Flanders)
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Germany
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Sweden
One condition applies to all 14 countries: English was one of your school subjects. It must be on your certificate as a passed subject – your grade doesn't matter. You can check your secondary school leaving certificate in the official diploma list (PDF, opens in a new window). The list is updated from time to time. If you finished school in a country that isn't on the list, check the required English language tests page to see which English test (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) your chosen university accepts.
For most Kastu partner universities in the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders), it's enough that you studied English at school in one of the listed countries. This applies whether you've already finished school there or are in your final year:
- If you've already finished school and have your secondary school leaving certificate, you simply submit it.
- If you're in your final year and don't have your certificate yet, you can apply with your transcript of records and submit your secondary school leaving certificate once you get it.
If the university accepts your secondary school leaving certificate as proof of English, you don't need to take any extra English test. That's why applying to the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders) through Kastu is especially simple if you finished school in one of the listed countries.
Does your chosen university accept it? Even with a certificate from a listed country, not every university accepts it. Each university sets its own English language requirements. Among Kastu partner universities:
- The Netherlands: most partner universities accept it. Radboud University requires an English test from all applicants. The University of Groningen accepts it for some programs only – check the program description on kastu.eu and on the official university page.
- Belgium (Flanders): Howest, Thomas More and VIVES accept it. Artevelde and UCLL require an English test: IELTS or TOEFL. Artevelde also accepts Duolingo.
You'll find the full overview for each university on the required English language tests page and on each university's page on kastu.eu, under “English language requirements”.
Frequently asked questions about the school-leaving exam in English
1. Is my secondary school leaving certificate really enough to meet the English language requirement?
Yes – at most Kastu partner universities in the Netherlands and at several in Belgium (Flanders), if you finished school in one of the 14 countries on the official Dutch diploma list and English was one of your school subjects. Whether your school documents count as proof of English depends on the country where you finished school and on the university. Some universities – such as Radboud University – require a test from all applicants. Always check the requirements in the program description on kastu.eu and on the official university page.
2. Why don't university websites say that a secondary school leaving certificate can be submitted as proof of English?
University websites usually list the general admission requirements for all international students. The exception for certificates from certain countries is often in a separate place – a footnote, a linked document or a country-specific section.
3. What result do I need in my school-leaving exam in English to be admitted?
Your result doesn't matter as long as you pass English. Your secondary school leaving certificate must also meet the conditions of the official list: you finished school in one of the 14 countries, and English was one of your school subjects. Some universities may add their own conditions, so check the program description on kastu.eu and on the official university page.
4. If I take TOEFL or IELTS instead, will I have an advantage over applicants with a school-leaving exam in English?
No – a university that accepts your secondary school leaving certificate treats it as equal to TOEFL or IELTS. You simply need to prove your English with one of them: your certificate, TOEFL or IELTS.
5. I already have a TOEFL or IELTS result, but my score is too low – is my secondary school leaving certificate enough?
Yes, you can submit your certificate instead of your TOEFL or IELTS result – if your certificate qualifies and your chosen university accepts it. Your certificate qualifies if you finished school in one of the 14 countries on the list and English was one of your school subjects. You don't need to submit both.
6. Can I take TOEFL or IELTS and also use my school-leaving exam in English?
Yes, you can. But if your certificate qualifies and your chosen university accepts it, think about whether a test is really worth it. A test costs quite a lot of money, and TOEFL and IELTS results are only valid for 2 years.
Still have questions about the English language requirements?
You'll find an overview for each university on the required English language tests page. For the exact requirements of each study program, check the program description on kastu.eu and on the official university page. Not sure whether your certificate is accepted? Ask KastuGPT – it's free and always available. Applying through Kastu is completely free.
