# Language Requirements

**Source**: https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/overview.htm
**Parent**: https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/refugees/check-admission-requirements

All students are required to demonstrate language proficiency at the latest upon enrolment.

## Bachelor

- All bachelor programmes for which you can enrol at UGent are instructed in Dutch. \
  You cannot enrol without a valid proof of the required level of Dutch.
- Dutch at level B2 is required upon enrolment for most bachelor programmes.
- Level C1 is required for the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Language Studies (Bachelor of Arts in de toegepaste taalkunde).
- [Accepted language proofs](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/proficiency.htm)

## Master programmes taught in Dutch

- Most master programmes are instructed in Dutch. \
  You cannot enrol without a valid proof of the required level of Dutch.
- Also applicable for its preparatory programme or linking course.
- Dutch at level B2 is required upon enrolment for most master programmes.
- Level C1 is required for bridging and preparation programs for master programs belonging to the field of study Applied Language Studies (toegepaste taalkunde) and all educational master programmes.
- For certain programmes specific requirements apply: [Specific language requirements](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/specificlanguagerequirements-2026-2027.pdf)
- [Accepted language proofs](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/proficiency.htm)

## Master programmes taught in English

- Some master programmes are instructed in English. \
  You cannot enrol without a valid proof of the required level of English.
- Also applicable for its preparatory programme or linking course.
- English at level B2 is required upon enrolment for most master programmes taught in English.\
- For certain programmes specific requirements apply: [Specific language requirements](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/specificlanguagerequirements-2026-2027.pdf)
- [Accepted language proofs](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/proficiency.htm)

## Erasmus Mundus

> Please note: specific language requirements and language certificates apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes.\
> Please check the the [website of these programmes.](https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/mission/internationalisation/eu-funding/jointmaster.htm)

## Postgraduate courses (PGOP)

- If no [Specific language requirements](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/specificlanguagerequirements-2026-2027.pdf)  are mentioned, then knowledge level of Dutch B2 applies to study programmes in Dutch and English B2 to study programmes in English.
- [Accepted language proofs](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/proficiency.htm)

## Micro-credential

- If no [Specific language requirements](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/specificlanguagerequirements-2026-2027.pdf)  are mentioned, then there are no language requirements.
- [Accepted language proofs](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/proficiency.htm)

## Predoctoral training programme, doctoral training programme and doctorate

- Predoctoral training programme: your mentor can confirm that you have the required language skills in the languages in which the course units are taught.
- Doctoral training programme and doctorate; English at level B2 is required. \
  For certain programmes specific requirements apply: [Specific language requirements](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/specificlanguagerequirements-2026-2027.pdf)

## Validity of language proof

- Any accepted proof of language proficiency must be valid upon enrolment.
- The validity date mentioned on the language certificate cannot be exceeded.
- If no validity date is mentioned on the language certificate, the certificate can be no older than 4 academic years, counting from the academic year after the proof of language was acquired.

## Who is exempted?

[Who does not need to submit a proof of language proficiency](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency/exemption.htm "exemptions language proficiency")?

Or if you are admitted to a course based on a selection procedure under **Erasmus Mundus Action 1 or Action 2, ICP courses, EU-US Atlantis, EU-Canada**, where language proficiency is one of the selection criteria.

## Contact

[admission@ugent.be](mailto:admission@ugent.be)

## Related content

- [Admission requirements degree students](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement)
- [How to apply as a degree student?](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-degree)