Study Abroad Without IELTS Top 10 Countries And Universities

Studying at top universities in the world comes with a long list of conditions that students have to fulfil before admission. The first thing that comes to mind for studying abroad is the English Language Proficiency test scores. To get into foreign universities, appearance and clear examinations like IELTS or TOEFL are the priority of foreign students. Some are other tests to measure an international student's ability to read, write, and speak. Moreover, if you cannot clear the exam on the first attempt, it not only adds to further expenses but will also consume your time. In addition, securing a considerable score on these tests can be challenging for non-native English speakers.

Some popular universities in the UK and Europe grant admission based on student English scores at the school level and their proficiency in the English language. If students want to study abroad without IELTS, they should thoroughly check the requirements of the universities located in different countries, this makes the process less complicated. Apart from this, students can also choose their desired university from countries like Australia, the UK, Canada, Germany, and Norway, as many universities in these countries also grant admission without IELTS or TOEFL. For this, students must attend a Pathway program, which usually lasts nine to fifteen months. Through this program, students get admission to universities that do not accept high school results as criteria for direct admissions.

In addition, many universities in Canada also do away with the English language proficiency test, if the candidate has lived and studied for four or more years where English is the primary language. This article will help students who desire to study abroad without clearing the IELTS exam. Many students are not able to qualify for it because they are non-native English speakers. Despite the IELTS being a significant credential to get into top universities in the world, there are still colleges that offer high-class and quality education to students without clearing the IELTS exam. 

List of Without IELTS Countries & Universities

Study in the UK without IELTS

Studying in the UK is possible even when students do not have an IELTS score. The only difference is that they have to meet other eligibility criteria. For instance, students must have scored 70% or more in high school. Some universities also require international students to have an undergraduate degree in English or a pre-sessional language course. Students may also need to appear for online interviews to secure admission to such universities.

As for which universities in the UK offer admission with IELTS, below is the list:

Sheffield Hallam University

Birmingham City University

University of Warwick

Bangor University

Robert Gordon University

University of Lincoln

Brunel University

University of Bristol

The University of Bolton

London Southbank University

Study in the USA without IELTS

Regardless of what most people think, the US does have some universities that do not need IELTS exam scores for admission. Some of these top universities are:

University of Colorado

State University of New York

University of Arkansas

University of Dayton

California State University

University of New Orleans

University of Delaware

University of Iowa

To get admission to these universities, students need to either clear other language proficiency tests, such as the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) or meet the eligibility criteria of the university. For instance, some universities like the University of Colorado allow admissions to students whose native language is English. Students are also exempted from showing language proficiency proof if they have attended secondary school or/and graduate school where they were taught in English.

Study in Canada without IELTS

While Canada does have the requirement of IELTS score in many parts, it is also one of the best choices for students who wish to study in without IELTS countires. The country has many universities and colleges that do not require this language proficiency test for admission. This is mainly for those students from countries such as India, where English is one of the primary languages. Some of the universities you can check are:

Brock University

Carleton University

Concordia University

University of Winnipeg

University of Regina

Memorial University

The University of Saskatchewan

However, keep in mind that the admission process is strict for students with no IELTS score. For instance, students need to take other languages proficiency tests such as Duolingo, TOEFL, and PTE. Some universities also conduct their English language tests.

Students are also required to submit proof of English medium education for at least five years. To know more, visit the websites of these universities.

Study in Europe without IELTS

Not just the United Kingdom but several other European countries also offer admissions to international students without IELTS exam scores. The candidates just need to submit proof that their prior education was conducted in the English language and that they have excellent communication skills. These countries include Germany, Norway, France, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Cyprus, to name a few.

Here are some EU universities that give the opportunity to international students to apply to their universities without giving IELTS:

University of Siegen, Germany

American Business School, France

Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy

Ghent University, Belgium

Uppsala University, Sweden

University of Oslo, Norway

University of Bergen, Norway

Riga Technical University, Latvia

University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Study in Australia without IELTS

Australia also has several universities that have not made IELTS scores mandatory for admissions to international students. These universities grant admissions on other factors. One of them is that the international students seeking admissions should have completed a previous degree at a school where English was the primary medium of instruction. In addition, Bond University and The University of South Australia also accept alternative language proficiency tests, such as CAE and PTE, from international students.

Below are some Australian universities students can apply to without worrying about IETLS scores:

University of Queensland

University of Adelaide

Macquarie University

University of Southern Queensland

Swinburne University of Technology

Bond University

University of New South Wales

Study in Ireland Without IELTS

Studying in Ireland is possible without IELTS. Like the other without IELTS countries for studying mentioned above, this country too has universities and institutions where the IELTS test score is not mandatory for admissions. Instead, they offer other options such as alternative language proficiency tests to test students’ ability to write, read, and communicate in the English language.

Here are some Ireland universities without IELTS for international students:

National University of Ireland

Maynooth University

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

University of Limerick