The UvA is now offering third-year Bachelor's students the opportunity to take a free IELTS test to assess their English language proficiency. The test is intended for students needing English language skills for their studies, for example, in order to give a presentation in English or because they want to do a Master's taught in English. Students who have been selected for an exchange programme can also take the test free of charge. IELTS scores are recognised worldwide and are often a prerequisite for admission to international study programmes and internships abroad.

Assessment of English language skills

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) provides a detailed assessment of the following English language skills:

• listening
• reading
• writing
• speaking

The Speaking component of the test is conducted on a one-on-one basis with a certified examiner on the first test-day at a time designated by the British Language Training Centre. The Listening, Reading and Writing components take place on the dates listed in the ‘Test dates‘ section below.

More information on the IELTS test is available via the following links.

Eligibility

• Full-time third-year UvA Bachelor's students
• Full-time UvA students who have been selected for an exchange programme

• Full-time students in the last phase of their Master programme

Test dates

The IELTS test will be offered one other moment in 2012:

• 2 - 3 November (registration deadline 28th September)

- The application can be closed earlier, due to reaching the quorum of applicants.

- The real testdata might differ from this data.

- If you need to do the test earlier than November, 2012, you could contact the British Language Training Centre, directly. Than you have to pay the test by yourself.

Rules of participation

• You can only take the IELTS test once free of charge;
• When registering, you must sign a one-off direct debit form. If you do not take the full test, you will be charged € 50;
• Once you have registered, you cannot cancel your scheduled test.

Application procedure

• Download the application form;
• Hand in your completed application form together with two identical passport photographs taken within the past six months and without glasses and a photocopy of your passport or official EU ID card at the Service and Information Centre (Binnengasthuisstraat 9);
• You must hand in your application form in person, you cannot send it by mail;
• Four weeks before the IELTS test, you will receive an email in your UvA student email account to inform you of the location of the IELTS test;
• Student Services will inform you of the time of the Speaking component of the test. This component will be tested on the first test day. The Speaking component of the test will be held at the Service and Information Centre.
• 14 days after you have taken the test, your results will be available online. You can also pick up your results (Test Report Form) at the Service and Information Centre.

The free test is an initiative of the UvA Board and the Central Student Council. The UvA places great importance on its advanced students having a good command of Academic English.