Studying In The UK Without IELTS: 4 Options You Should Know

The United Kingdom (UK) has long been one of the most popular destinations for Indian students to study abroad. Being home to some of the leading global universities; the UK has a rich history of praiseworthy academic exploration; is a melting pot of contemporary cultures; and has a long-standing association with the Indian subcontinent. These factors contribute to the UK hosting lakhs of Indian students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

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Some Key Strides

More recently, the UK has made key strides in being a popular destination for studying abroad, primarily due to :-

• extension of the post-degree stay-back duration clause of its academic visas from one year to two.
• becoming increasingly reliant on developing countries like India to fill its trade and skill deficit, with Brexit.

This translates to a plethora of job opportunities in sectors ranging from finance and technology to psychology and sports. In such a space, it becomes important to evaluate the requirements students need to fulfil at the undergraduate level to study in the United Kingdom.

Also Read | Things To Know Before Choosing The UK As A Study Destination

English Proficiency Scores

One of the most important requirements for studying in the UK is having an adequate English proficiency score. Universities and the government in the UK require all international students belonging to countries which do not follow English as the primary language of communication to prove their proficiency in English, which is most commonly done by taking an English proficiency test.

Proof Of Proficiency | Simply put, these scores are considered to be proof of a student’s ability to converse, interact, and prosper in an academic environment that follows English as a medium of instruction.

Internationally Recognised Tests | These English proficiency tests are internationally recognised and standardised examinations through which students achieve an objective score indicative of their proficiency in the language. Then, universities and governments impose minimum requirements on these scores for individuals to secure admissions to different courses or visas.

IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most common English proficiency test undertaken by international students who seek to pursue undergraduate admissions in the UK.

• All universities accept IELTS scores for admissions, and IELTS specifically offers different tests for individuals seeking to apply for different visas in the UK.
• Students are marked on a score of 9 on 4 aspects of English proficiency: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• The average of these scores is considered to be the overall IELTS score for each individual, which is then evaluated by universities at the time of admission.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Is The Most Common English Proficiency Test

Studying In The UK Without IELTS

Whilst the IELTS is the most popular and convenient method of proving one’s English proficiency, there are other possibilities that students can explore if they cannot secure adequate IELTS scores at the right time. Students will basically need to prove their proficiency in English through a method other than the IELTS. This can be done in one or a combination of the following four ways.

English Scores In High School

Different universities grant students admissions based on their English scores from Classes 10, 11, and 12. Similar to how each university has different IELTS requirements for different courses, they also have different requirements for English language scores. Some universities provide waivers to only students graduating from the CBSE, ICSE or other state boards that they recognise. Typically, students would require to score at least 80 and 70 consistently in English to meet IELTS minimum requirements of 6.5 and 5.5 respectively.

Medium Of Instruction Certificate

Some universities accept ‘Method of Instruction’ certificates from schools as proof of a student’s proficiency in English. These are documents provided by an English medium school that certify a student’s expertise in the English language. Universities often require these in addition to minimum academic scores in certified curricular English language examinations.

Also Read | Summer Schools: Programmes In UK High School Students Must Apply To

Pre-Sessional English Course

Certain universities offer students the opportunity to complete short bridge courses and earn certifications in the English language from their university or other allied institutions. These 6-to-8-week-long bridge courses allow students seamless access to admissions and English proficiency certification. However, these are not offered by the most popular universities in the UK.

Online Interviews

Certain universities adopt a more personal approach and undertake online interviews of students to directly assess their proficiency in English. Students are evaluated as per objective metrics and provided admissions based on their performance in the interview.

Certain Universities Undertake Online Interviews Of Students To Directly Assess Their Proficiency In English.

Leading Universities To Look At

Some of the leading universities that offer admissions to students without IELTS scores are University of Bristol, University of York, University of Stirling, Greenwich University, University of Central Lancashire, University of Birmingham, and Queen’s University Belfast.

Visa Processing Without IELTS

Securing admission into a university is only the first part of the puzzle. Post admission into a university, visa processes also mandate IELTS scores from incoming international students.

Also Read | Winter And Spring Intakes For UG Admissions: US, UK, Canada, And Australia

Certificate From University | Students who do not take the IELTS need to obtain an extraordinary document- a certificate from the university stating that the student’s English proficiency has been verified and that the student has been admitted to a given course without the IELTS score. This document allows immigration authorities to grant academic visas to students who have not taken the IELTS Test.

Whilst the IELTS provides the most seamless pathway to undergraduate education in the UK, there are multiple personal and situational constraints that may prevent students from obtaining required scores at the correct time. In such a space, it becomes important to be aware of and pursue other means of fulfilling the aspiration of studying abroad.

Vijeeth Srinivas is a development consultant with more than extensive experience in the foreign education industry. With the Centre for Career Development and Essai Education he has helped hundreds of students secure positions in leading universities abroad. He is keen to make novel developments in education and skill development more accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.