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High-quality education, high-standard teaching, a variety of courses, scholarships and funding, a high rate of employability, and the UK post-study work visa path are some of the things that are sufficient to study in uk.
The United Kingdom is one of the most preferred destinations for international students. A large number of students who graduated from the UK say they have never had this type of quality teaching before in their lives - it’s been worth every penny. Their studies in the United Kingdom had very good career potential.
IELTS is one of the English proficiency tests required to study in uk for indian students. It is one of the toughest English proficiency exams for sure, which is why many students want to know how to study in UK without IELTS, and the admission criteria to study in the UK’s top universities.
IELTS - International English Language Testing System. It is a standardized exam in English language proficiency for speakers of non-native countries, for example, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, etc. This English proficiency test helps students achieve their objectives of studying, working, and moving to the UK and other English-speaking countries.
The IELTS test is used for the following purposes to study in the UK -
Top governments, employers, colleges and universities, immigration authorities, and other professional bodies use the IELTS test.
On the other hand, the ITLTS is managed by the British Council and Cambridge English.
Appearing for IELTS is a prerequisite to study in UK for Indian students, but many top universities offer a range of UG and PG programs without IELTS. Let’s see some of the top universities that offer UG and PG programs without IELTS.
Universities |
Accepted Alternative To IELTS |
World Rank |
University of Warwick |
TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
69 |
University of Southampton |
TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
80 |
University of Leeds |
TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
82 |
University of York |
TOEFL, PTE |
184 |
Newcastle University |
TOEFL, PTE |
129 |
University of Liverpool |
TOEFL, PTE |
165 |
University of Exeter |
TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
423 |
University of Strathclyde |
TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
281 |
Anglia Ruskin University |
TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
814 |
University of the West of England |
TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
741 |
If you question why study in UK? This answer can be given in a sentence. Great futures happen when you study in the United Kingdom. If you choose to study a UG or PG program in the UK, you step into a world of limitless possibilities. Yes, you heard it right. A country where academic excellence connects innovation. From the world-class colleges and universities to the innovative studying and teaching approach, and some of the best brains who deliver it, the United Kingdom has what you require to climb the ladder of potential. It’s not surprising that more than 4,50,000 international students choose to study in the UK each year! So the advantages of studying in UK are many. Let’s see some of them.
It is no wonder, how essential the IELTS test score to study and stay in the United Kingdom, there are some alternate options, like English medium instruction, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, etc. that you can consider to study in the United Kingdom without IELTS. Let’s discuss them.
The first criterion is if your previous education was done in English language then you can apply to study undergraduate programs in some of the universities in the UK. These are some of the top universities that allow international students to study there without an IELTS test. If you want to prove your English proficiency, you need to get a certificate of Medium of Instruction from a previous educational institute.
Many top universities in the UK offer admission sans IELTS and they require class 12th English scores of students. In exceptional conditions, colleges or universities may require the 10th class marks, which is not always mandatory. For example, if you have scored more than 70% in English in your 10th and 12th exams, then most universities in the United Kingdom can consider this as proof of English proficiency.
With online interviews, you can give proof to study in UK without IELTS. A few colleges and universities may ask you to appear for online interviews via Skype or other online mode. They usually assess your English Language proficiency by way of the interview.
Besides, IELTS, you can apply for TOEFL, PTE or Dulingo test that are equivalent to IELTS score to study in UK.
The test of the English language is one of the basic requirements for getting a Tier 4, which is the most common student visa in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, if your college or university is waiving IELTS test scores, you can apply for them or ask them to issue a document that states that you are eligible to get a student visa to Study in UK Without IELTS.
Without any doubt, studying in the United Kingdom can be expensive for many Indian students, but some universities charge less than tier 1 and tier 2 universities. Mostly, the tuition fees range between GBP 11,400 and GBP 38,000 per year for international students. The living costs average GBP 900 to GBP 1,400 per month, depending on the location you stay.
Colleges and Universities in the UK offer a range of UG and PG courses in diverse disciplines to international students. Here are the top ten best courses to study in the UK, including average tuition fees and top universities offering them.
Courses |
Average Tuition Fees |
Top Universities |
Business and management |
GBP 20,000 – 35,000 |
Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Warwick, Manchester |
Computer science and AI |
GBP 18,000 – 32,000 |
Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Edinburgh, UCL |
Finance and Investment |
GBP 22,000 – 40,000 |
LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, Manchester |
Engineering |
GBP 20,000 – 35,000 |
Imperial, Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol |
Law |
GBP 18,000 – 30,000 |
Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, King’s College |
Medicine and Healthcare |
GBP 30,000 – 50,000 |
Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, King’s College, Edinburgh |
Data Science and analytics |
GBP 20,000 – 35,000 |
Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh, Warwick, Manchester |
Environmental science |
GBP 17,000 – 30,000 |
Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Imperial, Exeter |
Public Policy and Governance |
GBP 18,000 – 32,000 |
Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Edinburgh, King’s College |
Pharmaceutical science |
GBP 20,000 – 34,000 |
UCL, Nottingham, King’s College, Manchester, Edinburg |
Because studying in the UK is expensive, and many students can’t afford it. However, a large number of banks and other financial institutions offer education loans to study in the UK for Indian students. Here are some of the top loan providers.
Providers |
Avg. Rate of Interest |
Loan Amount |
Key Features |
State Bank of India (SBI) - Global Ed-Vantage |
10.5% – 11.5% p.a. |
Upto 1.5 Cr |
Collateral required, repayment after 6 months post-study |
HDFC Credila |
11% – 13% p.a. |
Based on eligibility |
No margin money, flexible repayment options |
Axis Bank Education Loan |
11% – 13% p.a. |
Upto 75 lakh |
No collateral for loans up to 40 Lakh |
ICICI Bank Education Loan |
10.5% – 12.5% p.a. |
Upto 1 Cr |
No collateral for select universities |
Punjab National Bank (PNB) - Udaan |
9% – 11% p.a. |
Upto 1 Cr |
Government subsidy schemes available |
Universities in the UK offer a range of scholarships for international students who study undergraduate or graduate programs, including the MPhil and PhD programs in various disciplines. Here are the top scholarships offered, including the amount offered.
Scholarship Name |
Coverage Details |
Description |
Chevening Scholarships |
Full tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel costs, arrival and departure allowances, visa application cost, and travel grant. |
Funded by the UK government, for outstanding emerging leaders from around the world |
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships |
Full tuition fees, living expenses, airfare to and from the UK, and other allowances. |
One-year master's degree in the UK |
GSK Scholarships for Future Health Leaders |
Full tuition fees, a living stipend |
Offered by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine |
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarships |
Full tuition fees, travel costs, installation costs, and a monthly subsistence allowance |
These scholarships fund international students to pursue a two-year master's degree |
You can study in UK without IELTS by meeting the alternative English proficiency tests. Many top colleges and universities accept a medium of instruction certificate as proof of the English language to study there. This helps the universities to judge students’ previous education in English and whether they are eligible to study in the United Kingdom in an English environment. You can also show Duolingo, PTE, or TOEFL scores that are equivalent to IELTS. Some top institutions conduct online interviews to assess English language skills. Top universities, such as the University of Bristol, the University of Essex, and the University of Plymouth, to name some offer IELTS waivers. However, student visa requirements may still include English proficiency proof, but not IELTS always mandatory, so checking the specific university guidelines is crucial before you apply.
Start your journey to study in UK without IELTS! Let Education Vibes guide you to top colleges and universities that accept applications without IELTS with hassle-free admissions. Contact us today!
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