The most common myth we correct in counselling is that IELTS is the only English test that works. It is not. But “without IELTS” is not the same as “without any English proof.” This piece walks through what actually applies.
Path 1: English-Medium Instruction waiver
Many universities in Australia, the UK, Canada and Ireland waive the English test requirement if your Bachelor was fully taught in English at an accredited institution. Common evidence: a letter from your Bachelor institution confirming the medium of instruction, backed by transcripts.
- The waiver is set by the university, not the visa authority.
- Some destinations still require a visa-side English test even if the university has waived.
- Nepal-side Bachelor institutions that are widely accepted include Tribhuvan University-affiliated colleges with an English-medium delivery, Kathmandu University, and Purbanchal University.
Path 2: A different accepted English test
- PTE Academic — accepted for student visas in Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland.
- TOEFL iBT — widely accepted for US, Canadian and UK admissions.
- Duolingo English Test — accepted for admissions by many US, Canadian and Australian universities; not on the UK SELT list.
- OET — accepted for healthcare-related admissions and by nursing / medical registration boards.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency — accepted by universities in Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland.
Path 3: Internal English test
Some universities administer their own English test as an alternative. This is uncommon but exists at select institutions in Canada, Ireland and continental Europe.
Where “without IELTS” is still not enough
- UK Student Route visa requires a SELT. IELTS UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI are the common choices.
- Nursing registration boards (AHPRA, NMC, CNO, NCNZ) require specific English evidence, typically IELTS Academic 7.0 or OET grade B.
- Australia Subclass 500 has visa-side English requirements even when the university has waived. Confirm with Home Affairs.
Practical routes we recommend
- If you have a Bachelor with English medium of instruction: request the EMI letter from your institution and apply to universities that accept it.
- If your target destination is Australia: consider PTE Academic — fast and widely accepted.
- If your target destination is Canada: consider PTE Academic or DET.
- If your target destination is the UK: budget for IELTS UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI for the visa regardless.
- If nursing is your field: plan for OET or IELTS Academic 7.0 across all four skills.
Key takeaways
- “Without IELTS” usually means “with a different English test” or “with a valid EMI waiver”.
- The visa authority may require an English test even when the university has waived.
- UK Student Route still needs a SELT (IELTS UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI).
- Nursing registration boards typically require IELTS Academic 7.0 or OET grade B.
- Confirm each destination’s current position on the official government student-visa page.
Related resources
See our English tests for study abroad, Duolingo-accepting universities, PTE preparation, and IELTS preparation.