Study in UK without IELTS
- Last Updated on: July 31, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
If you are unable to crack IELTS test or not getting desired scores or doesn’t want to waste money on IELTS exam fee, you can still study in UK without IELTS. There are many Universities in UK that accept students without IELTS, provided you need to prove your English language proficiency through alternative ways.
Alternative Ways to Prove English Language Proficiency
There are many alternatives to IELTS depending on the country student is from. To gain admission into UK Universities without IELTS, students need to prove their English language skills by fulfilling any of the below conditions.
Depending on Class XII English Scores
Most of the UK universities require students to have 70% & above in their high school English Language. In some cases, Universities may require IELTS depending upon the Board student studied his high school from.
Some of the high school boards which UK universities does not accept are Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir.
If your previous Education is in English
Few UK universities accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter whose previous education has been taught entirely in English. To prove English proficiency, you need to obtain a MOI certificate from your previous education institution stating you have been taught entirely in English during your previous studies.
Online interview
In case the student cannot fulfil the above language proficiency conditions, University will arrange an online interview with the applicant and assess their English language proficiency. Few Universities will conduct their own online Self English Language test (SELT) to assess applicant English language proficiency.
Alternative English tests
Few UK universities accept TOEFL, PTE both centre and home-based editions as an alternative to IELTS. If you are not willing to spend huge amount towards the exam fees you can opt for Duolingo English Test (DET) which will be conducted online and costs 59$.
Take first step towards your Study Abroad Journey
Top Universities in UK without IELTS
| S.No | University Name | IELTS Waiver Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anglia Ruskin University | 65% in English in the Higher Secondary School Certificate, taught and assessed in English. |
| 2 | Birmingham City University | Accepted boards: Andhra Pradesh, Central Board Secondary Education (CBSE), CISCE, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu 65% – For courses requiring IELTS 6.0 overall 70% – For courses requiring IELTS 6.5 overall 80% – For courses requiring IELTS 7.0 overall |
| 3 | Coventry University | IELTS Waiver is given to the following boards: CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu Board, Andhra Pradesh Board, Kerala Board, Karnataka Board, Telangana Board, Maharashtra Board, Nepal Board. Requirement for PG: 65% in XII English Requirement for UG: 60% in XII English |
| 4 | De Montfort University | Minimum 65% in 12th Standard (2015 & after) State Board/CBSE/ICSE across all boards except Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh regions. Punjab, Haryana & Uttar Pradesh required 65% in Std 12th in CBSE or ICSE boards only. |
| 5 | Edinburgh Napier University | 12th English should be 70% in State Boards, CBSE or ICSE. Students from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will not be eligible for the IELTS waiver. Open school Institutes and Polytechnic Diplomas before Engineering are not considered for IELTS waiver. |
| 6 | Kingston University | For the CBSE, CISCE, and Maharashtra Boards, a score of 70% or higher in Standard XII English taken within the last 7 years is required. For all other state boards (excluding Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat), a score of 80% or higher in Standard XII English taken within the last 7 years is required. |
| 7 | London South Bank University | Required 65 % in English and above from ICSE, CBSE and Maharashtra State Board Required 70 % in English and above from all other state boards from India (except Punjab State Board) |
| 8 | Middlesex University | Required 65% (Not accepted from the Punjab or Haryana boards) in 12th for UG programs PG Taught and Research: 70% (Not accepted from the Punjab or Haryana boards) Exceptions: MBA, MA International Business Management & MSc Management will require 65% in English from Std. XII |
| 9 | Northumbria University, Newcastle | 60% in 12th Std for ICSE or CBSE 70% in 12th Std for State Board (Except Punjab, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana regions). |
| 10 | Oxford Brookes University | For CBSE, CISCE, Maharashtra State Board requirements are as follows: IELTS 5.5 or 6.0 → Minimum 60% in English IELTS 6.5 or higher → Minimum 65% in English Other Accepted State Boards (selected boards) requirements are as follows: IELTS 6.0 → Minimum 65% in English IELTS 6.5 or higher → Minimum 70% in English |
| 11 | Teesside University | Students who have 65/100 (State Board) in the subject of English with a few exceptions. Gujarat State Board requires 70% and above to get the IELTS waiver. |
| 12 | University for Creative Arts | 70% and above in 12th English is required. No waiver for Punjab & Haryana students. |
| 13 | University of East Anglia | 70% or above for their English language Standard 12 level from CBSE, ISC, ICSE, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, Delhi NCR, Goa, Kerala boards |
| 14 | University of East London | 60% & above in 12th English from CBSE, ISC, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh boards |
| 15 | University of Hertfordshire | English Proficiency test waiver is given to all the Indian boards except Punjab & Haryana state boards.Standard XII English subject score should be 70%. |
Documents Required to Study in UK without IELTS
- SSC Marks Sheet.
- HSC Marks Sheet.
- Bachelor semester-wise mark sheets, Provisional certificate & consolidated marks memo (Not required for UG applicants).
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- Original Degree if more than 2 years since last Bachelors (Not required for UG applicants).
- Medium of Instructions depending on 12th scores in English.
- Passport.
- Letter of Recommendations-2
- Resume.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Experience Letters (If any).
UK Study Visa Requirements without IELTS.
- Academic Documents.
- Passport.
- Experience Letters (If any): Offer Letter, Currently Working Letter, Last 3 months payslips.
- ATAS Certificate (if Applicable).
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- CAS Letter.
- Acceptable Financial documents: Bank Balance Certificate along with Last 28 days bank statement or Loan Approval Letter from Bank or Fixed deposit Certificates if any.
- Medical Certificate from a clinic approved by UKVI.
- Birth Certificate.
- Affidavit of Sponsorship from Parents if funds are held in parents account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IELTS actually required for a UK student visa if the university has waived it?
University will issue CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for visa purpose, It clearly mentions that the student English language ability has been assessed by the Higher education institutions. So you doesn’t require IELTS for UK student visa.
However it is advisable to be prepared for the credibility interview, if visa officer want to assess your communication skills UKVi will conduct the interview.
What are alternative proof of English proficiency?
12th English language scores, medium of instructions letter, or an online interview conducted by the university are some of the alternatives to prove your English language proficiency.
How can I prove English proficiency if I have done diploma?
If you have not studied 12th instead done diploma, UK universities will consider your Diploma 1st year English marks supported by medium of instruction letter. This will only applicable for students who wish to pursue master’s.
Is it possible to study in the UK without IELTS?
Yes, it is possible to study in the UK without IELTS. You need to meet prerequisites set by individual university to measure your communication skills through alternative means such as 12th English scores, MOI letter or letter from employer stating English is the official language at the work place. Most commonly High school English Language marks of 70 % & above are required.
Can I study in UK without IELTS if my previous education has been taught in English?
Yes, if you have studied your previous education in English you can provide medium of instruction letter to be eligible for IELTS waiver. Kindly not MOI is not accepted from Universities in Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir.
Does UK universites accept alternative English tests
Yes, UK universities accept alternative English tests such as TOEF or IELTS, both centre and home based editions, Provided you need to achieve the desired scores in these tests. Most universites also accept Duolingo English language test.
Can i get IELTS waiver for Health & Medical related courses
No, for medical and health related programs UK universities does not waive IELTS requirement. IELTS is mandatory for these courses and usualy require higher band scores of 6.5 & above. Some universites only accept UKVI IELTS rather than regular IELTS for these courses.
Which are the low tuition fees Universities in UK without IELTS
Some of the low tuition fee universities in UK which doesn’t require IELTS are.
- University of Central Lancashire.
- BPP University.
- University of York.
- University of West of Scotland-London.
- Teesside University.
Which universities accept Medium of Instructions letter for IELTS waiver
Here are the list of few universities which accept Mediul of Instructions or MOI letter.
- University of Stirling.
- Heriot Watt University
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Essex
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- University of Portsmouth
- BPP University
- University for the Creative Arts
- University of East London
- University of Hertfordshire
Sridhar Kongara
