Is a CEFR Certificate Enough to Get Into a Master's Program?
Is a foreign language certificate required for a master's program?
Yes. Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, higher education institutions in Uzbekistan require a certificate confirming foreign language proficiency to apply for a master's program. This is no longer the exception — it's the general rule.
Important note: the exact requirement can vary from field to field and from university to university, and it's updated over the years. The information below gives a general direction — before submitting your documents, always check the official announcement of your chosen university and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations.
Which level is required for which field?
Under general practice, the requirement breaks down as follows:
- Foreign language fields (for example, foreign language and literature, translation studies) — at least C1 level.
- Humanities, biology and natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, business and management, law, service, social sciences, and education fields — at least B2 level.
- Other fields (technical, engineering, etc.), as well as culture and sports fields — at least B1 level (roughly equivalent to IELTS 4.5).
In other words, "the language certificate level required for a master's program" isn't a single fixed number — it depends on your specific specialization.
Is a CEFR (Multilevel/national) certificate enough, or is IELTS required?
This also depends on your goal:
- If your goal is admission to a master's program at a university in Uzbekistan only, an official CEFR/national certificate is usually enough — it's officially recognized within Uzbekistan's higher education system.
- If your plans also include studying abroad or an international grant, the university may ask for IELTS or TOEFL, since these are more widely recognized internationally.
Many universities accept CEFR, IELTS, and other international certificates (TOEFL, others) in parallel — meaning any one of them may be sufficient, but always confirm this against your chosen university's official admission requirements page.
Darajangizni bepul aniqlangMagistratura uchun kerakli darajaga qanchalik yaqinligingizni biling
Conclusion
A foreign language certificate is now a standard requirement for admission to a master's program — which level (B1, B2, or C1) you need depends on your chosen field. For most fields, an official CEFR/national certificate is enough; only for plans tied to studying abroad might IELTS/TOEFL be additionally required.
Always check the exact requirement against your chosen university's official announcement — the information here is meant as a general guide.
With CEFRify, you can prepare regularly for the level you need (B1, B2, or C1) and test yourself in a real mock exam format.