You Can Study in UK without IELTS: Guide for Applicants

By Ali Bajwa

Posted on January 10, 2023

Anyone who wants to study at the British University should know to be fluent in English. Some assessment exams like IELTS assess your proficiency in English. It’s mandatory for students seeking admission to the UK’s colleges to appear in the IELTS to demonstrate their knowledge of the English language. However, those who want to study in the UK without taking such a test need not be disappointed. However, there are colleges where you can study in UK without IELTS score.

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System, which tests applicants’ ability to read, write, speak and listen. It is a standard test for non-native English student who wants to show their proficiency in the English language.

The IELTS Exam Syllabus for 2023, as such an online test, has two formats –

A) IELTS Academic
B) IELTS General Training.

IELTS assesses your proficiency in English concerning four components:

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

However, the IELTS exam syllabus for Listening and Speaking is the same for both formats (Academic & General Training). Still, the content of the Reading and Writing sections varies in the formats. However, international students can still study in UK without IELTS. Nowadays, students usually possess high proficiency in English language. Therefore, many UK colleges refuse to take the IELTS test for international students.

How to study in UK without IELTS?

IELTS is one of many ways a university can test the English proficiency of applicants. There are also other options that UK universities offer to candidates who want to study in the UK but still need to take the IELTS exam.

Step 1: Application procedure

Select the courses and colleges you wish to apply, and check the eligibility criteria offered on their official website and verify University rankings. Finally, choose the college that offers program without an IELTS scorecard.

Step 2: Interview

After your profile gets shortlisted, you will be asked to appear for an online interview conducted by the college to check your English proficiency.

Step 3: Payment of Fees

After you clear the interview round, the college you applied will send a letter of acceptance. It is the confirmation of your selection to join the program you were interested. The next step is to pay the tuition fee for the chosen program.

Step 4: Apply for a UK student Visa

You will be asked to submit the following documents to become eligible for the UK student visa without appearing for IELTS:

Copy of student VISA application form

Letter of acceptance from the university offering admission without IELTS

Passport

Bank account statements to prove your financial stability during your stay in the UK

The following are the criteria to study in UK without IELTS for Indian students:

If your School education was in English: Some universities in the UK allow international students who use English in schools as a medium of communication. To prove your knowledge of English, you need to obtain a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your previous institution.

Your Class Twelve English scores: Many universities in UK that offer admission without IELTS require students’ class twelve English scores. So, if you scored more than 70% in English in your ten and twelve class, universities may consider it as proof of your English proficiency. However, some universities may ask for you class ten grades.

Online interview: A few universities may ask students to appear for an online interview through an app like Skype where they will assess your level of English. In addition, some universities may not ask for an IELTS or TOEFL score but may require a separate exam to test your knowledge of English.