Can my 95% in 12th-grade English from the Kerala State Board, where English was my medium of instruction, be used to waive the English proficiency requirement for admission to UAE universities?
Yes, several UAE universities accept a 95 percent Grade 12 English score with an English medium of instruction letter as an IELTS waiver, but this is not automatic. Some universities, like UAE University, still require a standardised test regardless of your board or score.
Your strong English score does help, but whether it actually waives IELTS or TOEFL depends on the specific UAE university and program you are applying to, not on a single federal rule. The key document that matters most is proof that English was genuinely your medium of instruction, not just a subject you studied.
How UAE Universities Treat Kerala Board English Scores
| University | Typical Policy for Indian Curriculum Students |
|---|---|
| RIT Dubai | May exempt students whose curriculum was taught in English, with a certified letter confirming this |
| Abu Dhabi University | Waives proof of English proficiency for curricula outside the UAE Ministry system that are taught in English, including Indian curricula |
| UAE federal admission guidance | Recognises CBSE, ICSE and Indian State Boards, with 80 percent or higher in Grade 12 English sometimes accepted in place of IELTS 5.0 |
| UAE University | Exemptions are narrower and mainly apply to native English speakers or certain UAE private school graduates |
Documents You Will Need
- Marksheet: Your Grade 12 Kerala State Board marksheet showing the 95 percent English score
- Grade 12 certificate: The official completion certificate from your board
- Medium of Instruction letter: A certificate from your school explicitly stating English was your medium of instruction
- Attestation documents: Any UAE certificate equivalency or attestation paperwork the specific university asks for
My Advice
Request your Medium of Instruction letter from your school well before you apply, since this single document is usually what decides whether your 95 percent gets you the waiver. Email the admissions office of each shortlisted university directly to confirm their current policy, because even within the UAE, requirements shift between institutions and even between programs at the same university.
Low percentage, study gap or no work experience?
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