Which countries require IELTS for admission, and which countries offer IELTS waivers in UK/Australia for a Postgraduate?
IELTS is required or accepted at universities in more than 140 countries. In the UK and Australia, though, you can often skip it if you hold a passport from an English-speaking country, or if your bachelor's degree was fully taught in English at your previous institution.
IELTS is required or accepted at universities in over 140 countries, so it remains the default English test almost everywhere. In the UK and Australia specifically, though, you can often get a waiver if your passport or your prior education already proves your English ability.
Who Can Get an IELTS Waiver in the UK and Australia
| Waiver Route | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|
| Passport-based exemption | Citizens of the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and select Caribbean nations |
| Medium of Instruction (MOI) | Your bachelor's degree was taught fully in English, accepted at universities like Edinburgh, Birmingham and Bath in the UK, and Melbourne, ANU and Sydney in Australia |
| High school English marks or pre-sessional course | Strong English grades or a completed pre-sessional English course at universities like Warwick, Leeds, Monash and UNSW |
| Alternative tests | PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT widely accepted; Duolingo accepted by some UK universities but generally not for Australian student visas |
Where IELTS Is Commonly Required
- Primary English-speaking destinations: UK, Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand and Ireland.
- Other major hubs: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia and the UAE.
- Important caveat: a university waiver does not automatically override visa rules. The Australian Department of Home Affairs can still ask for a formal English score during your Subclass 500 visa process.
My Advice
Check your target university's admissions page for its specific MOI or waiver policy before you assume you are exempt, and if you are applying to Australia, confirm separately with the visa checklist whether Home Affairs still wants a formal English score even after your university waiver. When in doubt, book IELTS anyway as a safety net so a visa-stage surprise does not delay your plans.
More expert answers
It depends. Whether you need to take IELTS for Australia, the UK, or the UAE varies by university and program.
- Australia: Many universities accept IELTS, but some may waive it if your previous degree was taught entirely in English (Medium of Instruction, or MOI). Alternative tests like TOEFL or PTE may also be accepted.
- UK: IELTS is commonly required, but a waiver is possible if your prior education was in English. Some universities also accept other English proficiency tests.
- UAE: Most universities require IELTS, typically a minimum of 6.0 for undergraduate and higher for postgraduate programs. Waivers are less common but may be available if you studied in English.
Requirements and waiver policies are subject to change.
Can you skip IELTS with your MOI or 12th English marks?
Check your waiver options free with an admissions expert.
More IELTS questions
- Will I be able to pass the English proficiency exam given my concerns about language skills?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Can I study in the UK without IELTS, and which universities accept other English tests?
- Would you suggest me to give IELTS first before starting the application process in Germany/Italy for a Master's?
- Do I need to score well in GRE, GMAT, or IELTS to get good scholarships in top business schools for a MBA?
- Is it possible to get an IELTS exemption if my transcript states that my medium of instruction was English?
- Can I still take IELTS as a paper-based test?
- Will you help with the IELTS application process and provide guidance on the required documents and deposits?