By 1 June before the start of the academic year, the faculties establish the level of proficiency of English, required for enrolment. Should there be no explicite requirements, a minimum CEF-level B2 of English is required for the doctoral training programme and the doctorate.

Students can be exempt from the language requirement if the student:

• has a diploma of secondary education awarded by an (recognised) institution in the Flemish Community;

• has a diploma of higher education awarded by an (recognised) institution of higher education in the Flemish Community;

• has successfully completed a minimum of 1 year (60 credits), be it secondary or higher education, where the medium of instruction was English (an official certificate must be submitted);

• has successfully completed a predoctoral training programme at Ghent University, provided that the majority of the programme were course units in English.

• a written confirmation from the dissertation supervisor that the prospective doctoral student is proficient in English.

If not one of the above-mentioned, the student must submit one of the following:

• a TOEFL-TEST, maximum two years old, with a score of 510-559 (paper-based), or 87-109 (internet-based) or higher. Test takers should mention the “institution code” 2643, so that the score can be sent to Ghent University directly;
• an original ‘test report form’ (TRF) from IELTS, maximum two years old, with a minimum overall band score of 6.0.
• a certificate awarded by the UCT confirming proficiency in English (minimum CEF-level B2);
• certificate of practical English 5, Upper-intermediate Academic English, or Preparing for an English Test, awarded by the UCT.