Proof of English proficiency

Some universities accept your school documents instead of a test: your secondary school leaving certificate with English included or with English at B2 level – or an English grade that meets the university's minimum. This is common at Kastu partner universities in the Netherlands and Belgium. Some universities in Sweden and Finland accept school documents too. Whether your school documents count as proof of English depends on the country where you finished school and on the university.

More info: School-leaving exam in English

Certain Danish universities accept your English hours at school as proof of English – no test needed. You need at least 210 hours of English in your last three years of school. You prove them with a statement of hours from your school. Whether your chosen program accepts this proof can depend on the country where you finished school. If your chosen program accepts it and your hours are enough, you simply upload the statement with your application. If not, take IELTS or TOEFL (see way 3 below).

More info: Required English language tests (Denmark table)

Take one of the international tests:

• TOEFL – Kastu's recommended test! Get a 5% discount with the Kastu code. More information on the TOEFL page.
• IELTS – one of the most popular tests, accepted by all Kastu partner universities.
• Duolingo – take it online from home and get your results within 48 hours.

If you plan to prove your English with your school documents, check early. While you're still choosing programs, find out whether your chosen universities accept school documents from the country where you finished school. You don't need to register for anything or wait for a test date: you upload your documents with your application. If your chosen universities don't accept school documents from that country, you still have time to take an international test.

You need to submit your TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo results by your chosen university's deadline. Deadlines differ from university to university and from program to program. Check them in the program description on kastu.eu and on the official university page, or ask KastuGPT – it's free and always available.

If you've chosen universities that accept only TOEFL or IELTS but you're not sure you'll get the required score, here's a plan:

1. Add a backup option: a university that doesn't require IELTS or TOEFL.
2. Choose a Danish university that accepts your English hours at school.

This way, whatever your TOEFL or IELTS score, you also have universities on your list that don't require these tests – for example, some universities in Denmark, the Netherlands or Belgium. Whether they accept your school documents or English hours instead of a test depends on the country where you finished school.

• You need to register for international tests in advance, because the test dates you want may be fully booked later.
• You get your TOEFL or IELTS results about 2–3 weeks after the test. Duolingo results come within 48 hours. Plan everything so that your results reach the universities in time.
• If you take the test after submitting your application form, upload your test certificate to your application as soon as you get it.

To speak English more freely and prepare for the test, you need to get comfortable with the language – get used to it, make it your own and stop being afraid of it. We recommend spending at least a little time on English every day. It doesn't have to be real studying – watching your favorite TV show or reading the day's news in English can be enough. The point is to try to practice some English every single day.

Today there are many effective ways to improve your English – and it's really not boring:

• ChatGPT and other AI tools – ask them to check your writing, explain grammar rules or simulate a speaking test. Use voice mode to practice speaking.
• YouTube – search for “TOEFL preparation” or “IELTS tips” – you'll find hundreds of free video lessons.
• Netflix and TV shows in English – watch with English subtitles. It's one of the best ways to improve your listening and vocabulary.
• Official preparation resources:TOEFL free practice | IELTS materials

When you get a text in the test, your first thought is probably: so many unknown words. Relax – the secret is simple: you don't need to know every word in the text. It's enough to understand the meaning and the main idea. You can guess single words from the context or even skip them.

Strategy: First skim the text quickly to see what it's about. Then find the main idea of each paragraph. After that, look closely only at the specific parts of the text that relate to the questions.

Try to use the rules in practice instead of memorizing them. It helps to remember examples for each rule: sentences, phrases, single words. Once you remember one example, you'll know how similar cases work. The more exercises with different grammar rules you do, the better you'll remember them.

The biggest mistake test takers make is being too afraid of the result. Focus on preparing and give it your best – after all, you're going to study in English, and you're doing this for yourself. Try to enjoy it!

Tip: Don't study the night before the test. Let your thoughts and knowledge settle. You'll be more emotionally ready for the test than after a sleepless night with your books.

Everyone needs proof of English, but many applicants don't need an extra test. School documents are enough if your chosen university accepts school documents from the country where you finished school. These can be your secondary school leaving certificate with English included or with English at B2 level, or an English grade that meets the university's minimum.

Yes! You can fill in the free Kastu application form now and add your test results later. As soon as you get your test certificate, upload it to your application.

You need to submit your TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo results by your chosen university's deadline. Deadlines differ from university to university and from program to program. Check them in the program description on kastu.eu and on the official university page, or ask KastuGPT – it's free and always available.

Certain Danish universities accept your English hours at school instead of a test. You need at least 210 hours of English in your last three years of school, confirmed by a statement of hours from your school. You'll find the statement of hours template and the details on the transcript of records page. Whether your chosen program accepts this proof can depend on the country where you finished school. If your chosen program doesn't accept it, or if you don't have enough hours, take IELTS or TOEFL.

Add a backup option: a university that doesn't require TOEFL or IELTS – for example, some universities in Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium or Finland. Whether they accept your school documents or English hours instead of a test depends on the country where you finished school.

You get your TOEFL or IELTS results about 2–3 weeks after the test. Duolingo results come within 48 hours. Plan everything so that your results reach the universities in time.