Study in Singapore without IELTS

English Language Proficiency proof is a prerequisite for admission at many higher academic institutes in Singapore. Wondering if your candidature will be considered or not without an IELTS score? Read through the article to learn about the alternatives to IELTS for studying in Singapore and the minimum scores required. Also, get an idea about the documents required for admission without IELTS.

Many students dream of studying in Singapore but feel stressed about taking the IELTS exam. The good news is, you can still get admission in top Singapore universities even if you don’t have an IELTS score. Most universities know that not all students can take this exam, so they accept other proof that you can understand and speak English, like a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your last school or college.

If you finished your previous studies in English, you can ask your school for an MOI certificate. Some universities also accept tests like TOEFL or PTE, or may arrange an English interview before admission. The rules are different at every university, so you should always check the official website of the college you want to join. Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, and Nanyang Technological University are some of the top Singapore universities where you can apply without IELTS.

Is IELTS Required for Singapore?

Every institution has different admission requirements, and not all of them require you to hold an IELTS score. There are various higher education institutions that will accept alternative exam scores for admission to their undergraduate or graduate courses. At times, students may also be exempt from handing over evidence of their English language proficiency, provided they meet some of the other conditions.

You may either submit your TOEFL score or may not have to submit any proof if your tertiary education has been in English only.

Students should note that norms related to admission keep on changing from time to time and may depend on institution to institution. They are therefore recommended to keep themselves updated with the latest information available, which they will find on the official website of the universities. A frequent visit to these pages would keep your planning on track. Candidates can also reach out to the university administration in order to get firsthand information regarding any doubts.

Singapore Universities Admission Without IELTS

As mentioned above, Singapore has a set of universities/institutions that accept alternatives to IELTS and may also exempt one from submitting any language score. So if a student has completed his previous qualification from an English medium institute, he/she won’t need an IELTS score at some universities. For this purpose, he/she can obtain a letter or certificate from his/her old institute, which must state that they have completed all their courses in English. This will act as an alternative to the IELTS score certificate.

We present below a list of higher academic institutions in Singapore which do not need IELTS for their programmes. Next to the institution's name, you will also find their alternative requirement to IELTS and the scores expected.

Documents Required for Studying in Singapore Without IELTS

Common to all the universities that do not need an IELTS score for admission to their courses, there are some basic documents that students need to submit in order to obtain admission into a Singapore university or college. The list below will give you an idea of all the relevant documents which you may need to keep ready while applying abroad to Singapore for studies.

• Passport-sized photographs
• Resume
• Birth certificate
• Letters of Reference
• Statement of Purpose
• A valid passport copy
• Academic references
• Standardised test certificates, if required
• Class 10, 12 and Bachelor’s degree certificate (if required) and other academic transcripts
• Copies of Form 16, V395, V36