Want to study abroad but do not have an IELTS score? What if we told you that you can get into reputed universities across different countries without an IELTS score? Yes, you heard that right. There are universities worldwide that offer admission without these scores.

IELTS/TOEFL tests, which assess a student’s ability to read, write, and speak English, can pose a significant challenge for non-native English speakers. Fortunately, in 2025, a growing number of countries and universities are offering admission without IELTS, making international education more accessible.

This article will provide a list of 8 countries to study in without IELTS or TOEFL in 2025, which allows you to pursue your dream of studying abroad without the burden of qualifying for a language proficiency test.

Key Takeaways

  • Top universities may not need IELTS.

  • MOI or English-medium study works.

  • PTE/Duolingo can be alternatives.

  • Check university rules first

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, numerous universities and colleges in the USA offer admission to international students without an IELTS score. 

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

Universities and the Required Conditions

  • 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 subject 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).
  • You are exempt from showing language proficiency proof if you attended secondary school and/or graduate school where you were taught in English. California State University waives the minimum English requirement for a few countries.
  • Other universities where you can pursue your studies without worrying about IELTS/TOEFL scores are:

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.

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Study in Australia without IELTS

Many universities in Australia accept students without an IELTS/TOEFL score. Below are the listed universities that accept admissions without an IELTS score under specific conditions.

  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

Required Conditions to get an admission without IELTS

  • 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 

Many universities in Canada accept students without an IELTS/TOEFL score. Below are the listed universities that accept admissions without an IELTS score under specific conditions.

  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

Required Conditions to get an admission 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 least 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 that accept students without an IELTS.

See More: How to apply for a Canada Student Visa 

Study in the UK without IELTS

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 South Bank University
  4. Robert Gordon University

Required Conditions to get an admission 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 the English medium.

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.

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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 for five 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 was taught only in English.

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

Study in Germany without IELTS

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

  1. University of Siegen
  2. Ruhr University Bochum
  3. Chemnitz University of Technology
  4. Technical University of Braunschweig
  5. University of Bonn

Required Conditions to get an admission 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.

Study in Ireland without IELTS

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

  1. National University of Ireland, Galway
  2. University College Cork
  3. University of Limerick
  4. Royal College of Surgeons
  5. University College Dublin
  6. Maynooth University

Required Conditions to get an admission 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 taking 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.
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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:

  1. University of Bologna
  2. University of Milan
  3. University of Florence
  4. University of Pisa
  5. University of Padua
  6. 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 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 per cent of Malaysian Universities is English.

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

  1. Asia Pacific University
  2. Curtin University Malaysia campus
  3. Swinburne University Malaysia campus
  4. 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.

Conclusion

Studying abroad without IELTS is no longer just a dream; it’s a growing reality for students in 2025. With more universities offering alternative ways to prove English proficiency, the path to international education has become easier and more inclusive. Whether you’ve studied in an English-medium school or plan to take an internal language test, you now have multiple options to make your study-abroad goals come true.

So, don’t let an English test hold you back — explore your dream universities, check their eligibility criteria, and take the first step toward your global education journey without IELTS!