Study in UK Without IELTS: Universities, Guide, and Process Explained

Planning to study in the UK in 2025? Wondering if it can be done without providing IELTS scores? One of the basic requirement that any student need to fulfil to study in the UK is provide their English language proficiency test results.

In this blog, we'll let you know in brief what IELTS is, why is it considered so important, which alternative tests are accepted by the universities in the UK other than IELTS and the top universities in the UK that do not require an IELTS score for admissions.

So, keep reading with The Student Helpline till the very end

What is IELTS?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) being one of the majorly appreciated English language proficiency assessment in the world, majority of the universities in the UK expect their incoming students to have performed well and scored higher band scores in their IELTS test.

Trusted by 12,000+ universities globally, IELTS holds the key behind your admissions in any of the top-ranking university in the UK, Australia, Canada and any other study abroad destination.

The basic format of an IELTS assessment.

• Section 1: Listening (30 Minutes) - Consists of 4 recordings (conversations and monologues) where a variety of accents are used. Students will have to listen to each recording and then answer the questions accordingly.
• Section 2: Reading (60 Minutes) - Consists of 3 passages (extracted from books, magazines, journals, newspaper and more) followed by MCQ-based, short-answer and True/False questions.
• Section 3: Writing (60 Minutes) - Consists of Writing task 1 and Writing task 2 that majorly focuses on the student's ability to analyze visual representation (Bar chart, Line graph, Pie chart, Tables, maps and more) and the ability to present data under a strict word limit of 150 words.
• Section 4: Speaking (11 to 14 Minutes) - Consists of 3 parts; 4 to 5 minutes of Introduction, 3 to 4 minutes of speaking on a topic (picked by the student from the cue cards offered by the examiner) and 4 to 5 minutes of Q&A session regarding the topic of discussion.

Top Universities in the UK Where you can Study Without IELTS

In general, all of the universities in the UK have their own specific English language proficiency requirements, of which the requirements for IELTS is the most basic one.

However, in this section we will discuss which universities in the UK offer IELTS waiver to Indian students based on their other qualifications.

List of universities in the UK that do not require IELTS.

*Students need to submit a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate stating that the course has been delivered and assessed in English

Table 1: Universities and their conditions to study in the UK without IELTS

Source: Official University Websites

Can Students Study in the UK without IELTS?

It is pretty much evident now with the list that we have mentioned in the above section that the students can study in the UK without IELTS. You must have got the basic idea as in what academic qualifications are asked or can be asked to a student in order to get a waiver for IELTS.

While majority of the universities in the UK allows students to pursue a degree level course based on their overall score in class XII or core English subject (from a recognized English-medium school), the remaining universities have other ways of assessing the English language proficiency of students.

Some universities assess the English speaking and understanding caliber of students via Online interviews, while some universities conduct other tests other than IELTS.

In the sub-sections below you will find the other tests that UK universities accept other than IELTS, the list of exempted countries and the list of universities that offer pre-sessional English language courses to students to improve their English language proficiency.

Tests other than IELTS that are accepted by Universities in the UK

Students aiming to study in the UK, usually opt for taking IELTS academic test. Although the format of IELTS academic is pretty simple, it can still be very challenging. With 4 sections, Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, every student gets 2 Hours and 45 Minutes to complete an IELTS exam.

For students who do not wish to sit for an IELTS academic test, there are other options available that can help them prove their English language proficiency to the universities in the UK.

Here's a curated list regarding the tests accepted by the universities in the UK other than IELTS.

Table 2: English language proficiency exams other than IELTS and their minimum qualifying scores

Source: The scores have been extracted from the top-ranking UK universities

*Please note the English language requirements for certain courses may be higher

Preparatory Programs offered by the UK Universities

For students who do not meet the standard English language requirements through an approved language proficiency test provider, the universities in the UK also offer English language Pre-sessional courses. These courses are specially designed for international students, giving them a chance to improve their basic English speaking skills that are required to study and live in the UK.

Here's a list of 10 universities that offer English language Pre-sessional courses for Indian students.

1. University of Surrey
2. Sheffield Hallam University
3. Middlesex University
4. University of Birmingham
5. Birmingham City University
6. University of Westminster
7. University College London
8. King's College London
9. De Montfort University
10. Teesside University
11. University of Bedfordshire
12. University of Liverpool

*Please note the duration for a pre-sessional English course can range between 2 weeks to 40 weeks or more depending on the university.

How to obtain a Student visa for the UK Universities without IELTS

The most important document that a student requires to submit while applying for a student visa to the UK is the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) letter which is issued by the UK university you've applied for. This letter demonstrates to the visa officers that the university has full confidence in the student's profile and that the students has the appropriate academic and English language qualifications.

Moreover, another document that will help you obtain a visa to study in UK without IELTS is the letter from your sponsor. If the student sponsor in the UK has stated that the student meets the English language requirements, they must include the mode of assessment in the respective CAS letter.

Documents Required To Study In The UK Without IELTS

Listed below are the major documents required to study in UK without IELTS.

1. A valid passport
2. ATAS certificate (if required)
3. TB certificate
4. Documents stating your financial proofs
5. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter
6. Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate Mark sheets
7. Academic transcripts with 75% and above in Core English (Some universities may require 85% and above)
8. A Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate stating that the previous education of the student was done and assessed in English
9. CV/Resume/Portfolio
10. Statement of Purpose
11. Letters of Recommendation
12. Work Experience Certificate* (if any, can be used to demonstrate English language proficiency)

*Please note that the work experience should be from an English-speaking country

Top 5 Reasons that might get your IELTS waiver rejected

Even the top universities in the UK like the University of Oxford offers IELTS waiver to students who fit their criteria. However, there are certain instances where students are not permitted to study in UK universities without IELTS.

Take University of Oxford for example, if your previous academic degree level course wasn't a full-time course, was less than nine months in duration, wasn't undertaken from a recognized institution where the mode of teaching and examination assessment was done only in English, then you will not be allowed to study the course of your desire without providing a recent valid IELTS score.

Furthermore, even if you fulfill the above mentioned criteria, but you have an academic gap year of more than 2 years then also you will to submit a valid IELTS score to prove your English language proficiency.

Here's a list of reasons that might hold you back from studying in UK without IELTS.

1. If you are applying for a postgraduate course in the UK with a study gap of 2.5 years or more.
2. If you've scored 75% or less in your state board examinations (Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh)
3. Certain universities namely University of Portsmouth and University of Greenwich don't accept IELTS waiver requests if you are an Indian student from Punjab or Haryana
4. Certain universities namely University of Greenwich don't accept IELTS waiver requests if you are an Indian student from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh or Uttarakhand
5. Certain courses like MBBS, Midwifery, Nursing, Psychology, Law and Architecture might not provide IELTS waiver, since they require higher English language proficiency scores.

How undertaking IELTS is beneficial for Studying in the UK Universities?

Now that you know that students can study in the UK without IELTS, it is time to inform you that how taking an IELTS test and scoring high scores can prove to be beneficial for students aiming to study in the UK.

Take a look at why it is advisable to undertake an IELTS exam.

• A smoother transition into the UK - Taking IELTS will simplify your admission process and enhance your chances to obtain a study visa for UK since it is the most accurate mode of assessing the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking skills of an individual.
• Unlock doors to secure top scholarships in the UK - Some of the best scholarships offered by the top universities in the UK, the British Council and other organizations prioritize students who've secured high band scores in their IELTS examination.
• Globally recognized mode of Examination - An IELTS certificate is a globally recognized certification approved by 12,000+ universities worldwide. Majority of the UK university's first preference for assessing a student's English language proficiency has always been IELTS.
• Popular among Employers in the UK - A good IELTS score can help students secure great job opportunities since employers looks for students with high IELTS scores. It also helps students to get hold of their Graduate-route visa easily.
• A fair scoring system - IELTS is the most flexible and a fair mode of assessing a student's English language proficiency. IELTS examination usually offers flexible dates and has a very clear format and guidelines.

Study In The UK Without IELTS - The Student Helpline's Final Take

Studying in the UK without IELTS is possible, but however it is still not advisable to apply for the UK universities without IELTS. Taking an IELTS test is a globally recognized way of assessing any student's level of English language proficiency. Unlocking doors to top universities and scholarships in the UK, taking an IELTS examination can prove to be very useful for a student who is aiming to study and work in the UK.

The Student Helpline understand the fact that taking an IELTS test is a very crucial step in any student's study abroad journey, and for that very reason we highly recommend students to opt for our personalized IELTS exam training. Our experienced IELTS tutors have 15+ years of experience in training students and helping them secure high band scores.

Contact us at the earliest and get your personalized IELTS training started!

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Study in UK without IELTS

Can I Study In The UK Without IELTS?

Yes, you can study in the UK without IELTS. Several top-ranking UK universities like Oxford university, University of Warwick, University of Portsmouth and more accept students if who've scored a good percentage in their 12th standard.

Can I apply for a Study VISA In The UK Without IELTS?

Yes, you can apply for a study visa in the UK without IELTS. For that you need to have a recent CAS letter from a recognized university in the UK and an MOI certificate from the university you've attended in the past.

Can I work In The UK Without IELTS?

Yes, you can work in the UK without IELTS, but you will have to demonstrate your level of English speaking and communication skills to your employer. Without IELTS students in the UK might find it difficult to attract employers.

Who are exempted from taking an IELTS exam in the UK?

Students who've secured good scores in their 10th and 12th and those who've had a working experience or a degree from an English speaking country might be exempted from taking an IELTS exam in the UK.

Can I get scholarships by securing high scores in IELTS?

Yes, you can secure great scholarships opportunities in the UK with the help of your IELTS scores. Scholarships like GREAT scholarships, Felix scholarships and more often appreciate students with high IELTS scores.

Which English language tests are approved in the UK other than IELTS?

TEFL, PTE, Cambridge C! and C2 and ISE are the few approved English language tests that can are approved by the top universities in the UK other than IELTS.

What are my options if I don't fulfil the English language requirements in the UK?

For students who don't fulfill the English language requirements in the UK can opt for taking a Pre-sessional English course in the UK. This program will train the students and improve their English speaking and writing skills, necessary to function in the UK.