Study in Australia without IELTS: Alternatives for Indian Students
Although Australian universities accept IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency, international students may choose to seek a waiver or alternative route to get enrolled in these institutes.Â
Depending on the conditions, studying in Australia without IELTS is possible in several universities. In this blog, we have discussed those conditions that allow candidates to seek the IELTS waiver, along with the list of universities that offer this.
What is an IELTS Waiver?
An IELTS waiver is an exemption provided to international students from non-English-speaking countries who have fulfilled certain conditions set by the institutes where they will enroll.Â
These conditions may depend on the institute and the type of applicant. However, an IELTS waiver does not mean that candidates are not required to provide proof of English language proficiency.
Studying in Australia without IELTS: Other Alternatives
Depending on the country of origin and academic background, candidates are required to provide proof of their English language proficiency. Some of the popular and common alternative routes that are available to international students (when English is not their first language) are discussed below.Â
Other Test Options
Apart from IELTS, a non-native English speaker can demonstrate their proficiency by attempting one of the following tests.
- TOEFL iBT
- PTEÂ
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Test
Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate
If applicants have completed their previous senior secondary or undergraduate studies in English, they can also submit an MOI certificate to an Australian institute and ask for an IELTS waiver.
Enrollment in Post-Graduate Research Course
If an applicant is enrolled in a postgraduate research course at any Australian university, they are not required to provide proof of English language proficiency, including IELTS.
Enrollment in ELICOS
- ELICOS, or English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students, is a type of English language program offered by Australian universities, designed specifically for international students who need to improve their English language skills before enrolling in academic courses.Â
- ELICOS helps students meet the English language requirements for higher degree programs such as bachelor’s or master’s.
College/University Level English Language Program
Several universities, such as Macquarie University, ANU, Bond University, etc., also provide institute-level English Language Programs (ELP) intended to improve the overall communication and language skills of their international students.
Required Documents for Studying in Australia without IELTS
Depending on the conditions and university, any one of the documents can be submitted to apply for an IELTS waiver.
- Proof of Other English Language Proficiency Test Score (TOEFL iBT/PTE/OET/Cambridge C1 Advanced Test)
| English Language Proficiency Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80-100 |
| PTE | 65-80 |
| OET | B |
| Cambridge Advanced C1 Test | 185 |
- MOI Certificate
- Proof of enrollment in ELICOS
- Certificate of Enrollment in the college-level English Language Program (ELP).
List of Australian Universities without IELTS
The following is a table highlighting the list of some of the Australian universities where IELTS scores are not required.Â
- University of Queensland
- University of Adelaide
- Victoria University
- Macquarie University
- Bond University
- University of Southern Queensland
- UNSW Sydney
- University of South Australia
- Australian National University
Applying for a Study Visa of Australia without IELTS
If an Australian university has approved the candidate’s application by confirming that they have met the English language requirements through alternative means, they can proceed to apply for a subclass 500 study visa without submitting an IELTS score.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
International students who want to study in Australia have the option to apply for an IELTS waiver, provided that they have fulfilled certain requirements. These conditions may depend on the university, background of applicants, and their country of origin.
Applicants coming from non-English speaking countries can pursue bachelor’s and master’s courses by submitting alternative test scores, MOI certificates, or enrolling in ELICOS courses.
FAQs
Who is exempted from IELTS in Australia?
Any student who has either completed their previous studies in the English language or attempted another English language proficiency test (TOEFL/PTE/OET, etc.) can be exempted from IELTS in Australia.
What are the alternatives for studying in Australia without IELTS?
Other alternatives for studying in Australia without IELTS include
- Enrolling in ELICOS courses
- Enrolling in college/university level English Language Program (ELP)
Can I apply for a study visa in Australia without an IELTS score?
Yes, you can apply for a study visa in Australia without an IELTS score by either attempting other English language proficiency tests (TOEFL/PTE/OET, etc.) or falling into the exemption category.
What is the minimum IELTS score to study in Australia?
The minimum IELTS score to study in the UK is 6.0-6.5 or above, depending on the university, study level, and academic courses.
What are the universities that provide an IELTS waiver for studying in Australia?
Some Australian universities that offer an IELTS waiver to international students are the University of Queensland, University of Adelaide, Victoria University, Macquarie University, Bond University, etc.
