Introduction

Studying in colleges and universities outside India comes with a long list of preconditioned essentials that need to be fulfilled before you get selected for the respective university. The first thing that comes to mind about moving abroad for further studies is the language proficiency test which is one of the first and most important criteria for admission into most colleges abroad. 

This article will help students who desire to study abroad without having to give the IELTS. Many students find it difficult to qualify for language proficiency tests because they are non-native English speakers. Additionally, these kinds of tests can be expensive, and repeating them multiple times can be a major hassle, not to mention a financial burden. 

Countries offering Admission Without IELTS

There are several countries like the US, UK, Germany, Canada, Malaysia, Netherland which offer higher education at an international standard to students who desire to study abroad without IELTS. The criteria for qualifying language proficiency are not required in some universities in these countries. The admission criteria depend on language proficiency at a school level. 

Universities in the UK that offer programs to study abroad without IELTS: 

  • University of Warwick
  • University of Bristol
  • University of Basel
  • University of Geneva
  • London Southbank University
  • The University of Boston
  • University of Greenwich
  • University of Central Lancashire
  • Aston University, Birmingham

The process of admission is slightly different in these universities as compared to others. The language proficiency criteria are being measured by language proficiency at the school level. The marks of English at the school level need to be between 50-60% to get admission to one of these universities to study abroad without IELTS. 

Universities in the United States that offer programs to study abroad without IELTS: 

  • University of New Orleans
  • Rice University
  • University of Dayton
  • Drexel University
  • California State University, Los Angeles
  • University of North Alabama
  • Northwood University
  • National Louis University
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • University of Arkansas
  • State University of New York
  • University of Delaware

Candidates who wish to study in one of these universities are required to submit proof of their school certificates mentioning English as a core language.

Universities in Germany offering programs to students who want to study abroad without IELTS: 

  • University of Siegen
  • University of Kaiserslautern
  • University of Giessen 
  • Free University of Berlin
  • University of Koblenz and Landau
  • Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Esslingen)
  • Braunschweig University of Technology (TU Braunschweig)
  • University of Kiel
  • University of Kassel
  • The University of Applied Sciences, Ingolstadt (Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt)
  • Flensburg University of Applied Sciences
  • Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
  • Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Koblenz Landau
  • Technische Hochschule Deggendorf
  • University of Passau
  • University of Hildesheim
  • Ruhr University Bochum
  • TH Köln
  • University of Freiburg
  • University of Siegen
  • University of Bayreuth
  • University of Bonn
  • Chemnitz University of Technology
  • Hochschule Stralsund
  • Mittweida University

The admission criteria for qualifying language proficiency is to submit college transcripts mentioning the mode of education. The instruction mode should be English to get admission to German universities.

Universities in Canada offering programs to students who want to study abroad without IELTS:

Study in Canada without IELTS in these universities that have a different admission process for students who don’t have an IELTS score.

  • University of Winnipeg
  • Brock University
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Cambrian University
  • Okanagan College 
  • Concordia University
  • Seneca College
  • Carleton University
  • Algoma University
  • Brandon University
  • University of Guelph
  • McGill University

Universities in Malaysia offering programs to students who want to study abroad without IELTS:

  • Sunway University College
  • Help University College
  • UCSI University
  • Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation

Indian students looking for a destination to study abroad without IELTS can prefer Malaysia. Most of the colleges in Malaysia do not require candidates to qualify for language proficiency tests for getting admission into undergraduate, postgraduate, or masters programs. 

Study in Australia without IELTS

Many universities in Australia accept admissions without IELTS/TOEFL, given that the students fulfill certain criteria. The following is the list of universities that offer the same:

  • The University of Queensland: Applicants must have completed a full-time course where English was the medium of instruction. The university also accepts students who have worked for a minimum of 5 years where English was the first language of communication. 
  • The University of Adelaide: Applicants are allowed to secure admissions, provided that they accept and attend an English program before the initiation of the course.
  • Macquarie University: Applicants are allowed to secure admissions, provided that they accept and attend an English program before the initiation of the course.
  • Bond University: Students who had English as their secondary education’s medium of instruction can secure admission to this university. Apart from that, students can also give alternative tests such as CAE, and PTE instead of IELTS/TOEFL. 
  • The University of South Australia: Students who wish to secure admission to this university must give alternative tests such as CAE, and PTE instead of IELTS/TOEFL. 
  • The University of Southern Queensland: Students who had English as their secondary education’s medium of instruction can secure admission to this university.
  • Swinburne University of Technology: Students who had English as their secondary education’s medium of instruction can secure admission to this university.

Study in New Zealand without IELTS

  • University of Canterbury
  • University of Auckland
  • Lincoln University
  • University of Otago
  • Unitec Institute of Technology

Study in Europe without IELTS

Every year millions of students from all over the world are opting to study in top European universities. Reasons being top-class education, high chance of employment opportunities after course completion, low to minimal tuition expense, affordable living, and much more. It is not mandatory for applicants to take the IELTS test.

How to Study in Europe without IELTS?

Europe is home to beautiful institutions that offers courses in different areas. Most of the course offered is in the English language. Wondering how you can be a part of your dream European university? If you have a previous degree in English medium or if you have completed your education in English-speaking countries like the UK, Australia, USA, etc in English medium you will be exempted from taking IELTS. You just need to clear the video/personal interview round after your application is selected for admission.

Study in France without IELTS

No one would miss a chance to study in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From the smell of fresh-baked croissants and macaroons to the view of Eifel Tower. Every institution in France offers quality education and course in different fields. You can study in France without IELTS. You just have to clear the video/ personal interview round after your profile is selected. One of the major criteria is you should have completed your previous degree in the English language or from an institution where the courses were in English. Here is the list of Universities in France that offer programs to study abroad without IELTS: 

  1. American Business School, Paris
  2. EBS Paris
  3. EPITA Graduate School of Computer Science
  4. ESAIP School of Engineers
  5. ESC Rennes School of Business, France
  6. ESGCI, Paris
  7. ESLSCA Business School
  8. IESA International
  9. INSEEC Business School
  10. ISC Paris
  11. NEOMA Business School
  12. Paris School of Business
  13. SKEMA Business School
  14. Toulouse Business School

Study in Norway without IELTS

Another European country that is a popular choice among students in Norway. Students planning to study in Norway are exempt from taking IELTS if they have completed their degree in English-speaking countries such as Australia, the USA,  Ireland,  Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, etc in the English language or the previous degree had a core subject as English. Here are the universities in Norway  that offer programs to study abroad without IELTS: 

  1. University of Oslo
  2. University of Bergen
  3. Norwegian University of Science And Technology 
  4. The University of Tromsø The Arctic University of Norway 

Study in Italy without IELTS

Italy has been ranked as the top country for students planning to study abroad. Most of the courses are taught in the English language and Italy is well known for its culture and cuisine. You can study in Italy without IELTS if you can provide a certificate proving your previous degree was in the English language. Here are the universities in Italy that offer programs to study abroad without IELTS: 

  1. Polytechnic University of Milan
  2. University of Pisa
  3. University of Roma
  4. John Cabot University
  5. Sapienza University of Rome
  6. University of Padua
  7. University of Turin
  8. University of Genoa
  9. University of Trento
  10. University of Naples Federico II

Study in Belgium without IELTS

While there are plenty of universities in Belgium but if you want to study in Belgium without IELTS you can only study at Ghent University which offers courses in veterinary and life sciences. You have to submit a proof of certificate that your previous degree was taught in the English medium.

Study in Poland without IELTS

Poland has some of the best universities that are well known for providing quality education and student support. You can study in Poland without IELTS if you have completed higher education studies and the language of the courses was in English medium. However, there are only 3 universities in Poland that offer programs to study abroad without IELTS:

  1. Jagiellonian University
  2. Adam Mickiewicz University
  3. Warsaw University of Technology

Study in Spain without IELTS

Spain is a top destination not just for traveling but for studying abroad as well. There are versatile courses you can enroll in without IELTS if you have completed your previous education of more than one year in the English language. Here are the universities in Spain that offer programs to study abroad without IELTS:

  1. Universidad Antonio de Nebrija
  2. Pablo de Olavide University
  3. University of Valencia
  4. The University of Salamanca

Application Tips

It is important to carefully research before applying to a certain university. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while planning to study abroad without IELTS. 

  • Before applying to universities it is important to make sure that you have all the documents supporting the language criteria to qualify for the admission procedure. All the transcripts from the college stating that the medium of education is English are mandatory. 
  • Candidates who desire to study abroad without IELTS are required to submit proof of school certificates stating that you have studied English as a subject from 8th to 12th standard. 
  • Some universities require students to attain IELP(Intensive English Language Program) to get admission. Although this criterion only implies to some universities. 

FAQs

Can we study any course without IELTS from abroad?

Yes, you can study any course from abroad if that particular university doesn’t require IELTS score.

Can we pursue MBA from abroad without IELTS?

Yes, there are various universities in the USA, UK, Canada, etc. offering MBA without IELTS.

What are the alternatives for IELTS?

ACT, SAT, DET, and CAE are some of the alternatives for IELTS.

Is it possible to study in Europe without IELTS?

Yes, you can study in Europe without IELTS if you have a previous degree in the English language.