Dreaming of studying abroad but the IELTS exam is stopping you? Now, even if you can’t walk in
English or talk in English, here’s some good news—you might not need it at all! There are several
universities across the globe that understand passing an exam doesn’t prove your fluency in
English. If IELTS has been holding you back, now is the time to explore your options! With
numerous pathways, you can still fulfil your dream of studying abroad without the stress of proving
you excel in English. So, get your pen and paper out, or open the notes in your phone, as we share a
the top countries to study in 2025 without IELTS.
United States
Yes, you can study in the US without IELTS! Don’t rub your eyes! It’s not a dream. Many
universities accept students who have completed their previous education in English or offer
alternatives like TOEFL, Duolingo, or university-specific tests. Some of these universities are:
Notable Universities:
University of Colorado
University of Arkansas
California State University
University of Dayton
Drexel University
United Kingdom
Home to some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, the UK allows students to apply without
IELTS if they provide an English-medium education certificate (MOI) or take university-specific
language tests.
Notable Universities:
University of Bristol
University of Warwick
University of Portsmouth
Birmingham City University
London South Bank University
Australia
Many Australian universities accept students without IELTS if they prove their English proficiency
through MOI certificates or take preparatory English courses before starting their main program.
Notable Universities:
University of Queensland
University of Adelaide
University of New South Wales
Swinburne University of Technology
Victoria University
Canada
Several Canadian universities waive IELTS if you studied in an English-medium school or take
their internal language assessment.
Notable Universities:
University of Winnipeg
Brock University
Carleton University
Concordia University
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Germany
Germany is a favourite among international students, with many public universities offering tuitionfree education. Many institutions accept alternative proofs of English proficiency, such as an MOI.
Notable Universities:
University of Siegen
University of Koblenz and Landau
University of Applied Sciences, Munich
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
France
French universities offer English-taught programs and may waive IELTS if you provide proof of
English proficiency through previous education.
Notable Universities:
American Business School, Paris
EBS Paris
ESAIP School of Engineers
Ireland
Ireland has been gaining popularity among international students, and many universities accept
alternatives to IELTS.
Notable Universities:
Maynooth University
National University of Ireland, Galway
University of Limerick
Belgium
With world-class institutions, Belgium offers several English-taught programs where IELTS isn’t
mandatory.
Notable Universities:
KU Leuven
Ghent University
Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)
Italy
Italy’s renowned institutions offer exemptions from IELTS if students provide alternative proof of
proficiency.
Notable Universities:
University of Bologna
Polytechnic University of Milan
Netherlands
Dutch universities offer many English-taught programs and often accept MOI certificates instead of
IELTS.
Notable Universities:
University of Amsterdam
Wageningen University & Research
Eindhoven University of Technology
Sweden
Several Swedish universities offer exemptions from IELTS based on prior education or alternative
assessments.
Notable Universities:
Lund University
Uppsala University
Stockholm University
Norway
Public universities in Norway offer English-taught programs and waive IELTS for students who
meet their English proficiency requirements.
Notable Universities:
University of Oslo
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Malaysia
Malaysia’s affordable education system attracts thousands of international students, and IELTS
waivers are commonly granted
Notable Universities:
University of Malaya
Taylor’s University
Poland
Many universities in Poland allow students to apply without IELTS if they have studied in English
before.
Notable Universities:
Jagiellonian University
Warsaw University of Technology
New Zealand
Some New Zealand universities accept alternative English proficiency tests or MOI.
Notable Universities:
University of Auckland
Victoria University of Wellington
Alternative Ways to Prove English Proficiency
If you’re applying to top countries to study in 2025 without IELTS, you’ll need to prove your
English skills in other ways, such as a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate, a document from
your previous academic institution confirming that you completed your education in English.
FAQs
Is it possible to study abroad without taking the IELTS exam?
Yes, many universities worldwide accept alternative proof of English proficiency, such as MOI
certificates, university-specific tests, or other English language exams.
What is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, and how does it help in the admission process?
An MOI certificate is a document from your previous educational institution stating that your
education was conducted in English. Many universities accept this in place of IELTS.
Are there any risks associated with studying abroad without an IELTS score?
While many institutions accept alternatives to IELTS, some visa processes may still require an
English proficiency test. It’s always best to check university and visa requirements before applying.
Which countries have the most universities offering admissions without IELTS?
Countries like the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Ireland have multiple universities
that allow admissions without IELTS.
Can I get a student visa without IELTS?
In many cases, yes! However, some countries may still require proof of English proficiency for visa
processing. Always verify with the embassy before applying.
