How to Study in the UK without IELTS

Every year thousands of students fly to these nations to pursue their higher education as the United Kingdom is one of the excellent and globally recognized destinations for international students. Furthermore, the UK is the home of some world-class universities. International students need to sit for IELTS to study in UK universities. There is some other standard English proficiency tests which are acceptable by the UK universities. 

What is IELTS

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was founded by the British Council, Cambridge English Language Assessment, and IDP in 1989. There are 1200 IELTS testing centers in all 140 countries. Tests are offered 4 times a month which means 48 times in a year. Generally, IELTS costs around $225, although the price can be varied depending on the location of the test center. Although IELTS is a paper-based test, in some nations, applicants can sit for a  computer-based test because of the ongoing pandemic. 

When Can You Study in the UK without IELTS

1. Nowadays, English medium schools are very common in ESL/ EFL countries. If English is the medium of instruction at your last academic institution some universities in the UK might waive the English language requirements scores. This is how one can study in the UK without IELTS. The list of these universities is:

➔   The University of Kent

➔   Brunel University

➔   University of Strathclyde

➔   Ulster University

➔   University of Portsmouth2

Some universities conduct their own interviews and run their own integral language skills test to assess students’ language proficiency. The list of these universities is:

➔   Northumbria University

➔   University of Dundee

➔   Coventry University

➔   Chester University

➔   Bangor University

1. There are standard English language tests that are also globally recognized along with IELTS. International students can sit for TOEFL in place of IELTS. Moreover, Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE), PTE Academy, Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE), and the Duolingo English Test. As a result, if international students have good scores in one of these standard language tests, they can plan to study in the United Kingdom without IELTS scores. However, students must check their desired universities' English proficiency test requirements before sitting for the language test.
2. Some UK universities offer the foundation or pre-sessional courses for international students who could not sit for the IELTS test. As students need to have high English language skills to study in the UK, their visa application might get rejected because of not having IELTS scores. However, foreign students can opt for a foundation English course. This is how they can study in UK universities without IELTS scores. The foreign students can adapt to the new education system before starting their Bachelor's or Master’s degree by enrolling in the foundation course. Moreover, students will achieve the required language skills along with the UK classroom skills and norms.

Universities Accept Students without IELTS

A large number of UK universities accept foreign students who do not have an IELTS score. Here is the list of UK universities where foreign students can enroll without having IELTS scores. Such as,

➔   The University of Warwick

➔   Birmingham City University

➔   The University of Bristol

➔   London Southbank University

➔   The University of Bolton

➔   Aston University

➔   University of Basel

IELTS is one of the major requirements for getting a TIER 4 (general) student visa. As a result, if the foreign students find that the university has waived the English language skills score for them as they will join the pre-sessional of the foundation course, the students must ask the document that they are eligible for getting the UK visa.