How to Study in UK without IELTS in 2025

Taking the IELTS exam is important as your stay depends on it. English language proficiency is a student visa requirement and getting into a university has no impact because of this. Those who do not want to take IELTS or any other English language proficiency test can now apply to universities that offer admission without asking for IELTS exam scores. However, there can be other criteria set by the university which you need to fulfil to secure admission. UK universities may ask students to prove their English language proficiency not with the standardised test score but in a different way. So, you can check with the university how it is measuring your English proficiency, thus saving your time, money, and effort all at once.

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. The test is administered by the British Council, Cambridge Assessment English and IDP Education. It analyses one’s English language skills to read, write, speak and listen. It is a standardised test for a student who wants to show his/her proficiency in English whose mother tongue is not English. 

List of UK Universities that Allow Admissions Wthout IELTS

Given below is the list of the universities that grant admission to Indian students without IELTS.

• University of Plymouth
• University of Portsmouth
• Swansea University
• University of Warwick
• London Southbank University
• University of Greenwich
• University of Central Lancashire
• Aston University
• Northumbria University
• Robert Gordon University
• University of Bolton
• Birmingham City University
• Riga Technical University
• University of Northampton
• Sheffield Hallam University 
• University of Basel
• University of Bristol
• University of Geneva
• Birmingham City University
• University of Central Lancashire

How to Study in the UK without IELTS for Indian Students

No wonder, how important is IELTS score to stay and study in the UK, there are some alternate options that one can consider to study in the UK without IELTS.

• If your previous education was done in English: Some of the universities in the UK allow international students to study in the UK without IELTS whose previous education has been completed in an English Medium School. In order to prove proficiency in English, you need to get a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from a previous educational institute.
• Class 12^th English Scores: Many universities that offer admission in the UK without IELTS need the class 12^th English Language scores of students. In exceptional circumstances, universities may require the 10^th class marks. Like if you have scored more than 70% in English in 10th and 12th then universities can consider this as proof of English proficiency.
• Online Interview: Few universities may ask students to appear for online interviews through Skype. They will assess your English Language proficiency through this interview.   

Apart from this, there are universities that may not ask you to give IELTS or TOEFL score, but to write a separate exam to prove your English level.

Note: English language proficiency is one of the requirements for getting a Tier 4, the most common UK student visa. However, if your university is waiving IELTS test scores then you can ask them to issue a document stating that you are eligible to get a UK student visa.

Documents Required to Study in the UK Without IELTS

• SSC mark sheet
• HSC mark sheet
• Bachelor’s semester marks sheet
• Provisional certificate & consolidated marksheet
• Medium of Instruction certificate (Depending on the senior year scores in English)
• Passport
• Letter of Recommendations
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Offer letter
• Experience letter (if any)
• Other Academic Transcripts

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This was all about how you can study in the UK without taking the IELTS exam. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.

Study in UK without IELTS in 2025 requirements

One can look for an alternative English Proficiency Tests accepted by UK universities. Several universities accept other standardized tests as proof of English proficiency, including:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• PTE (Pearson Test of English)
• Cambridge English Exams (such as C1 Advanced)