List of Countries to Study Without IELTS 2024: Top Countries

For students contemplating pursuing their higher studies degree abroad, a common question is “Which country does not require IELTS for master's?” or even “Which country doesn't need IELTS to study?”

These tests, which assess a student’s ability to read, write, and speak English, can pose a significant challenge for non-native English speakers. Despite IELTS/TOEFL scores being a major admission criterion, there are universities across the globe that offer admissions without these scores.

This article will provide a list of 8 countries to study in without IELTS or TOEFL in 2024, which allows you to pursue your dream of studying abroad without the burden of qualifying for a language proficiency test.

Study in the USA without IELTS

Studying in the USA is a dream for many students around the world. However, the requirement of IELTS (International English Language Testing System) often poses a challenge. But what if we told you that it’s possible to study in the USA without IELTS? Yes, there are numerous universities and colleges in the USA that offer admissions to international students without an IELTS score. 

Following are some of the universities in the US that you can get into without IELTS or TOEFL scores.

University of Colorado Boulder: If the following conditions are met then you do not need to submit the English language proficiency proof

• The student’s native language is English.
• The applying student has completed at least one year of full-time academic study at a U.S. institution. However, countries like Botswana, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria are not subjected to this arrangement.

Drexel University: You need to complete two programs- the University Preparation Summer Program (UPREP) and the Bridge Program for international students if you don’t meet the language requirement.

The following universities grant admission to international students provided that they undertake the Intensive English Language Program (IELP).

• State University of New York
• University of Arkansas
• University of Dayton

You are exempted from showing language proficiency proof if you attended secondary school or/and graduate school where you were taught in English. California State University waives the minimum English requirement for a few countries.

• California State University
• University of New Orleans

Other universities where you can pursue your studies without bothering about IELTS/TOEFL scores are:

• University of Delaware
• University of Iowa

Which is your preferred university in the USA? Does it require an IELTS test score or not? comment below. There are other English proficiency tests like TOEFL, Duolingo, and PTE which can also be accepted as an alternative to IELTS 

Study in Australia without IELTS

Many universities in Australia accept students without an IELTS/TOEFL score.

1. The University of Queensland
2. The University of Adelaide
3. The University of New South Wales
4. Macquarie University
5. Bond University
6. The University of South Australia
7. The University of Southern Queensland
8. Swinburne University of Technology

The University of Queensland gives you admission if you have completed a full-time course where English was the medium of your instruction or if you have worked in an English-speaking work environment for at least five years. 

The University of Adelaide and Macquarie University allow students only if they accept an English program before the commencement of the course.

Bond University and the University of South Australia offer alternative tests, such as CAE, and PTE. The University of Southern Queensland, Bond University, and the Swinburne University of Technology also accept students whose secondary education’s medium of instruction was English.

The University of Southern Queensland also suggests undertaking USQ pathway programs for admission to the university.

Study in Canada without IELTS 

]Even though IELTS is mostly recognized by Canadian universities and for immigration purposes, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are also recognized. The need for language skills may also depend on the university of the program of a student’s choice. In general, the candidates should have an IELTS score of not less than 6. 0 to 6. 5 depending on the program where higher values are needed for graduate programs. Applicants who are interested in getting a Canadian study visa may be required to present an English language test certificate from a recognized institution.  In certain circumstances, universities will accept an exemption from the IELTS requirement if you have attended an English medium school for over four years, if you are from an English-speaking country, or if you have studied in a university language school. Here are some universities which accept students without an IELTS.

1. Brock University
2. Carleton University
3. University of Winnipeg
4. University of Regina
5. Memorial University
6. Concordia University
7. University of Saskatchewan
8. Seneca College, Toronto
9. Okanagan College
10. Cambrian College

See More: How to apply for a Canada Student Visa 

Study in the UK without IELTS

Many Universities in the UK offer acceptance to students without needing IELTS or TOEFL. If your previous education was in English then you can get a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your school. Also, most universities allow high school English test scores, which are generally more than 70%, in classes 10 or 12 as proof of English proficiency. While IELTS is mandatory for a UK study visa, this requirement can be exempted if the university accepts confirmation from you that you meet its English language requirement. Hence, you can study in the UK without IELTS if you meet some requirements like having education certificates from a previous school in English medium.

Some of the universities in the UK that do not require an IELTS score are:

1. University of Bristol
2. The University of Bolton
3. London Southbank University
4. Robert Gordon University
5. University of Plymouth
6. University of Portsmouth
7. Swansea University
8. University of Warwick
9. London Southbank University
10. University of Greenwich

Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa enjoy attention from the above-listed universities and many other universities as well. However, different courses require different levels of language expertise.

Study in the EU Countries without IELTS

You can study abroad without IELTS or TOEFL in European countries if you can prove proficiency in the English language by providing:

1. You have been educated in the English language during five recent years of study and English was the first language at the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) or O level (Ordinary Level).
2. You have been able to prove that you have good communication skills and your prior education was entirely conducted in English.
3. If you apply to study in the same institution where your first degree was awarded.
4. If you have a degree that has been taught only in English.

Comment - What is your preferred higher education destination in Europe? Comment below. 

Study in Germany without IELTS

Usually, you won’t need a TOEFL or IELTS score if you hold a bachelor’s degree in English as the language of instruction or if your native language is English. Some universities just require a letter from the student’s previous educational institution to ascertain English Language Proficiency. 

However, some courses do not require English language proficiency while others do. The requirements for courses in English Philology, for instance, require you to qualify for the English language test.

Here is the list of top colleges in Germany where you can get admission without providing any IELTS score:

• University of Siegen
• Ruhr University Bochum
• Chemnitz University of Technology
• Technical University of Braunschweig
• University of Bonn

Study in Ireland without IELTS

In Ireland, you don't always need to take the IELTS test for university admission. Many Irish universities welcome international students who want to study in English without passing the IELTS. The Department of Education and Skills in Ireland recognizes over 90 organizations that teach English to international students.

If you're from a non-English speaking country and want to study in Ireland, proving your English skills is important, but taking the IELTS isn't always required. Some universities accept students who have finished high school or college in an English-speaking institution.

Here are some universities in Ireland that accept students without an IELTS score

• National University of Ireland, Galway
• University College Cork
• University of Limerick
• Royal College of Surgeons
• University College Dublin
• Maynooth University

Study in Italy without IELTS

Italy, renowned for its culinary delights, picturesque landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, also boasts a plethora of esteemed universities that welcome international students without the need for IELTS.

Here’s a list of Italian universities where you can dive into your academic journey without fretting over IELTS scores:

• University of Bologna
• University of Milan
• University of Florence
• University of Pisa
• University of Padua
• University of Naples Federico II

Study in Malaysia without IELTS

If you want to study abroad without IELTS then you could go to Malaysia. Malaysia is one of the top-most countries in Asia after Singapore for studies. There is no compulsory need for English test proof for studying Bachelor’s, Master's, or Ph.D. courses here. The medium of instruction in more than 80 percent of Malaysian Universities is English.

Here is the list of a few universities in Malaysia that don’t require an IELTS score for admission:

• Asia Pacific University
• Curtin University Malaysia campus
• Swinburne University Malaysia campus
• Manipal International University

Disclaimer: Most universities don’t explicitly state that they don’t require a language examination result(IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/CAE etc.). You are advised to personally contact the university, via email or phone and ask them whether you are eligible to be exempted from the language proficiency test requirement.

FAQ

1. Can I go to Canada without IELTS to study?
   Yes. It is possible to study in Canada without IELTS and get a study visa for that purpose. You should have finished your high school or undergraduate in English medium of instruction. It is also important to know that you can provide scores of dozens of other English language skill tests instead of IELTS
2. Can I study in Germany without IELTS?
   Yes, you can study in Germany without IELTS. Although many German universities do not demand an IELTS score for admission, any university that you may choose will probably need proof of English proficiency if you are joining an English-medium course. In other words, this could be another English proficiency test or any other means of proving fluency in the English language. However, to study in Germany without IELTS, one must have to follow the normal procedure of getting admitted to a German university and to get a student visa.
3. Can I study in Australia without IELTS?
   Yes, you can apply for a student visa in Australia without IELTS if you meet the English language requirement through other means for example if you have done an English language course or have proof that you have studied English medium school.