Have you ever thought about studying abroad? If so, the USA, Canada, and the UK were probably at the top of your list due to their excellent university options. However, you may face some difficulties related to English language requirements. This is the case with many international students who do not speak this language. They find the TOEFL and IELTS tests a major challenge and an obstacle to achieving their ambitions, due to their unfamiliarity with the language and the high costs of taking and preparing for these tests.
But what if you had the opportunity to join one of the universities in Canada, America or even Britain without having to take these two tests?!
Although it may seem impossible, it is nevertheless real and possible. Below is a list of the best universities that do not require English language in these countries.
First: United States of America
International students from non-English speaking countries do not need to have a TOEFL or IELTS certificate at a number of American universities, and even if these tests are among the application requirements, some universities have the possibility of waiving the applicant from this requirement. There are also some majors and study programs that do not require these two certificates.
Here are a number of American universities that allow admission without the need for TOEFL or IELTS:
1- State University of New York
When applying to study at SUNY, students may attach one of the following certificates to their application:
1 .TOEFL iBT Certificate.
2.IELTS Academic Certificate.
3.PTE Academic Certificate.
4.Cambridge English Language Proficiency Examination Certificate at level C1 or C2.
5.The International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) is a global test recognized in many countries around the world, and is also used by some companies and governments, such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Applicants to the university are exempted from English language proficiency certificates if one of the following conditions is met:
1.If the applicant’s native language is English.
2.If the applicant has studied in schools/colleges/universities that use English as the sole language of instruction (an option available in some Arab universities and schools) for at least 3 years at the time of application.
3.If the applicant studied in schools, universities or colleges, and obtained his degree in English (universities that offer some programs in English in addition to other languages).
2- University of Iowa
Students who wish to enroll at the University of Iowa Research in Iowa must provide evidence of their English proficiency through a proficiency test such as TOEFL or IELTS. In this case, they have the opportunity to receive unconditional admission to the university.
However, students who do not have these certificates still have the opportunity to apply for conditional admission, whereby they commit to enrolling in the University of Iowa’s Intensive English Program and passing its tests before moving on to study the desired major.
3- University of Arkansas
As with the University of Iowa, students from non-English speaking countries must provide proof of English proficiency, such as a TOEFL or IELTS score, to receive unconditional admission and begin their major immediately. Students who do not meet these requirements may receive conditional admission to the university, where they may enroll in an intensive English language program at the Spring International Language Center (SILC) before beginning their major of choice.
4- University of Dayton
In order to be able to join the University of Dayton, you must attach a certificate proving your proficiency in the English language with your application. You can send any of the following certificates:
1.TOEFL iBT certificate with a score of at least 80.
2.IELTS certificate with a score of no less than 6.5.
3.International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) with a score of at least 4.5.
4.Pearson PTE test certificate with a score of not less than 60.
If you are academically qualified to attend the university but do not meet the English language requirements, you may be eligible for conditional admission, where you will take an English language placement test upon arrival in the United States. You will then enroll in an intensive English language program at the University of Dayton.
It is worth noting that attendance at the program is mandatory and you must continue in it until you reach the appropriate level required before you can continue your studies in the specialization you have chosen.
Second: Canada
Many Canadian universities do not require proof of language proficiency from international students. Applicants who have studied at institutions that offer programs in English (schools, institutes or colleges) are exempt from attaching a language proficiency certificate to their applications.
All you need are above average academic results, good SAT or GRE scores and other admission requirements. Canadian universities realize that graduates from internationally recognized colleges and universities undoubtedly have an adequate understanding of the English language.
Here are a number of popular Canadian universities that students can apply to without the need for a TOEFL or IELTS certificate:
1- Brock University
Brock University is a public research university located in St. Catharines, Ontario. Like most English-language universities, this university requires applicants to provide proof of their English language proficiency. However, applicants who have completed their secondary school years at an English-language institution (such as some international schools in the Arab world) may apply for an exemption from this proficiency test. In this case, they must attach a formal letter requesting this exemption to their application.
2- University of Saskatchewan
English is the language of instruction and examination at the University of Saskatchewan, so students wishing to enroll in this university must have an appropriate academic level of English. Applicants can demonstrate their proficiency in one of the following ways:
1.Obtaining a high school certificate in English (from an international school that teaches its programs in English).
2.Completion of post-secondary studies (bachelor’s) in English.
3.Obtaining a certificate of proficiency in the English language (TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson tests, etc.).
4.Enroll in an intensive English language program at the university before starting to study the desired major.
5.Obtaining one of the international high school certificates such as: International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP) exam, etc.
If the student is unable to prove his/her proficiency in the English language by one of the above means, he/she can still apply to join the following colleges, provided that he/she registers in the English for Academic Purposes program at the university:
1.College of Arts and Sciences.
2.College of Agriculture and Bioresources.
3.College of Engineering.
4.College of Education.
5.Edwards School of Business.
6.Faculty of Kinesiology.
3- University of Winnipeg
The University of Winnipeg offers applicants several options to demonstrate their English proficiency. In addition to TOEFL, IELTS or Pearson tests, students can enroll in one of the university’s full-time or part-time intensive English language programs. In addition to the following options:
1.3 years of study at a high school, university or college that teaches its programs in English.
2.Obtain a score of at least 4B on the IB exam or a score of at least 3B on the Advanced Placement (AP) exam.
4- University of Regina
TOEFL and IELTS tests are not the only way to prove your English proficiency and join this university, as you can do so through the following options:
1.Completion of post-secondary education (bachelor’s) at a university or institution that teaches in English. You can find out the names of the universities whose graduates are exempted from English proficiency tests through this list.
2.Enroll in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at the University of Regina and complete ESL Level 050.
3.Submitting an English language test other than TOEFL or IELTS.
Third: Britain
If you have decided to study in Britain, you may realize that your level of English must be advanced, as most British universities require applicants to attach an IELTS certificate as evidence of their proficiency in the English language.
However, you can enrol in a number of universities in the United Kingdom if you can prove your English language skills by means other than this test, as there are three ways to do this:
1.Obtaining high marks in English in high school. If you achieve results above 60% during high school grades: 10, 11 and 12, the university may accept your application without the need for an IELTS test.
2.Study at a secondary or university educational institution that offers its programs in English, and obtain high academic results from it.
3.Conduct an online interview with an assessment committee from the university you are applying to, for example via Skype, to determine your level of English.
Among the most important British universities that do not require an IELTS certificate to join them, we mention the following:
1.Sheffield Hallam University
2.University of Basel
3.University of Warwick
4.University of Birmingham
5.University of Bristol
6.Swansea University
7.London South Bank University
8.University of Geneva
It is worth noting that the IELTS certificate is not only a requirement for admission to British universities, but also a condition for obtaining a Tier 4 student visa. Therefore, if you are exempted from taking this test at the university, you must obtain an official letter proving your eligibility for the visa.
You must have noticed from the above that American and Canadian universities do not require TOEFL or IELTS test results specifically, but they nevertheless emphasize and require that the applicant prove his proficiency in the English language, which is undoubtedly true given that teaching in these universities is in English. So how can you enroll in them and succeed in your studies if you do not have an appropriate level of language that guarantees you understanding the study materials and communicating with teachers and colleagues?
Not only that, even if TOEFL and IELTS tests are not mandatory for enrollment in these universities, you will often need them when applying for a travel visa. Therefore, we advise you to contact the Canadian or American embassy in your country to find out the conditions and requirements for obtaining a student visa.
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