Course structure

Admission requirements

For admission to preparatory education with duration of six to twelve months

• Admission to one of the NHL Stenden Bachelor or Master programmes.
• IELTS academic with a minimum overall band score of 5.0 (with an advised minimum of 4.0 for each sub skill). We do not accept the online version of the Academic IELTS results.*
• TOEFL *** iBT with a minimum score of 60. We accept the following TOEFL iBT tests:  
  • TOEFL iBT Traditional**
  • TOEFL iBT Paper Edition** 
• Cambridge English grades and scale* with the score First FCE – Grade C (scale 160 – 161) or B1 level certificate (scale 154 – 159)
• TOEIC score 665* (Listening and Reading) and 275 (Speaking and Writing). 
• LanguageCert academic ** with a minimum score of 54. We do not accept the online version of the LanguageCert academic results. 
• Pearson PTE Academic with a minimum score of 50. We do not accept the online version of the Pearson PTE academic results. 

• * We only accept TOEIC®, TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, LanguageCert and Pearson PTE certificates from public programs and not from institutional programs. Public programs are organized in public centers and delivers an official score report which is recognized worldwide.
• ** IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, LanguageCert and Pearson PTE certificates more than 2 years old (at the start date of the study), will not be accepted.
• ***TOEFL iBT Traditional and Paper Edition -  Before registering for this test, you can include our TOEFL institution code of C652 for the verification process. Original test results must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to NHL Stenden.

For admission to preparatory education with a duration of up to six months

• Admission to one of the NHL Stenden Bachelor or Master programmes.
• IELTS academic with a minimum overall band score of 5.5 (with an advised minimum of 4.5 for each sub skill). We do not accept the online version of the Academic IELTS results.*
• TOEFL *** iBT with a minimum score of 70. We accept the following TOEFL iBT tests:  
  • TOEFL iBT Traditional**
  • TOEFL iBT Paper Edition** 
• Cambridge English grades and scale* with the score First FCE – Grade C (scale 162 – 168) 
• TOEIC score 785* (Listening and Reading) and 310 (Speaking and Writing). 
• LanguageCert academic ** with a minimum score of 60. We do not accept the online version of the LanguageCert academic results. 
• Pearson PTE Academic with a minimum score of 58. We do not accept the online version of the Pearson PTE academic results. 

• * We only accept TOEIC®, TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, LanguageCert and Pearson PTE certificates from public programs and not from institutional programs. Public programs are organized in public centers and delivers an official score report which is recognized worldwide.
• ** IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, LanguageCert and Pearson PTE certificates more than 2 years old (at the start date of the study), will not be accepted.
• ***TOEFL iBT Traditional and Paper Edition -  Before registering for this test, you can include our TOEFL institution code of C652 for the verification process. Original test results must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to NHL Stenden.

Study expenses

February Intake 2026

September Intake 2026

** See below the paragraph about the Pre Master course.

* Via a combination of NHL Stenden’s Short English Language Course and the Pre Master course.

No-refund policy

The Language Centre applies a strict no-refund policy to all services and expenses.

Pre Master course

Goal of the programme

Do you want to join one of NHL Stenden’s Master programmes? Do you not meet the language requirements yet? Do you want to work on your academic skills and gain more confidence when it comes to the English language? Check out the Pre Master course.

This course is especially designed for international students and combines intensive academic English language training, study skills lessons and academic lectures to ensure swift adaptation to NHL Stenden’s Master programmes. You will gain greater confidence in expressing yourself and feel more comfortable when engaging with fellow students, lecturers and professors in the Master programmes. You will also be able to perform better academically and tackle complex research projects in an effective and professional way. This is an excellent platform for a successful career in industries like hospitality, tourism, services, and media, providing added value for your personal and professional development.

This course is also accessible for students who already meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor or Master programmes, but simply want to refresh or upgrade their knowledge of the English language, and improve their academic skills.

Subjects

The main focus in the Pre Master course is on Academic English, which is fairly different from regular English language training. You will spend approximately 3 hours per day on a combination of:

• Writing (essays, research reports and dissertations)
• Listening (following lectures with ease, taking notes in lectures)
• Reading (reading for specific academic purposes, learning specific strategies for effective reading)
• Speaking (presenting findings, chairing and taking part in group discussions)
• Grammar (improving grammar skills to an academic level)
• Pronunciation
• Research and statistics (an introduction).
• Cultural diversity
• Master lectures

Application 

You cannot apply for the Pre Master course directly; instead you will automatically receive information about this course as soon as you apply for the Master of your choice with an IELTS score of 5.0 or 5.5. If you do meet the English language requirements, or if you want to follow the Pre Master course as preparation for your Bachelor,  you need to send an email to csa@nhlstenden.com.

Deadline for application

• September start - July 1
• February start - December 1

Deadline for Bangladeshi, Nepalese or Pakistani nationals 
Please note: The visa process for Bangladeshi, Nepalese or Pakistani nationals takes three months which extends the total length of the application procedure to five months. Consequently, the application deadlines for these students differ from the regular deadline:

• September start – March 31st
• February start – August 31st

Please note that spaces in this course are limited. Therefore, it is wise to apply early. Be aware that the Bachelors Information Technology, Marketing Management, International Teacher Education for Primary Schools and Secondary Schools only start in September, as do the Master programmes. You should schedule the start of your Pre Master course accordingly.

Study expenses

February Intake 2026

September Intake 2026

* Via a combination of NHL Stenden's Short English Language Course and the Pre-Master’s Programme.

About the Language Centre

For the past 20 years, the Language Centre has successfully prepared hundreds of students for their future Bachelor and Master programme. 

No-refund policy

The Language Centre applies a strict no-refund policy to all services and expenses.