Many US universities welcome international students without an IELTS score; however, depending on the course a student wants to take, they may need to complete additional exams.
Although many international students must take the IELTS exam to get admission, many of the best American universities do not require it due to the differences in the educational systems of the two countries.
Since a student will be studying in English, it is almost always desirable to see some sort of indication of English competence. Therefore, the most well-known alternative exam scores that are accepted by US institutions and colleges instead of IELTS are those from the TOEFL, Duolingo, or PTE.
In this article, we will take you through some of the top universities in the USA and how to get admission there without IELTS.
How Do I Study At US Universities Without IELTS?
An IELTS score is not necessarily required for international students to be admitted to US universities, even though many of them demand fluency in the language. Therefore, if you intend to study in the US without taking the IELTS, you must meet the following prerequisites:
- If English was the official language in the nation where you completed your previous education, you might not need to take the IELTS exam.
- Colleges in the United States that do not require the IELTS may nonetheless require beginning courses such as the Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
- You will need a letter from your previous university verifying that the graduate course you took was in English when enrolling in master’s programs.
- To improve their English language proficiency and study without taking the TOEFL or IELTS, international students can also enroll in some summer programs in the USA.
Getting into your ideal US institution without taking the IELTS is possible in a lot of ways.
Universities In The United States That Do Not Require IELTS
- California State University Northridge, California: The applicant must have attended a degree program for at least 3 years in a school or college where English is the medium of instruction.
- University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Wisconsin: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington: The applicant must have an education in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Drew University Madison, New Jersey: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- California State University Monterey Bay, California: The applicant must have attended a degree of at least 3 years in a school or college where English is the medium of instruction.
- Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California: The applicant must have attended a degree of at least 3 years in a school or college where English is the medium of instruction.
- California State University Stanislaus, California: The applicant must have attended a degree of at least 3 years in a school or college where English is the medium of instruction.
- National Louis University Chicago, Illinois: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- Notre Dame De Namur University Belmont, California: The applicant must be educated in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Illinois State University Normal, Illinois: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- Schiller International University Largo, Florida: The applicant must have an education in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- California State University East Bay, California: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- Kendall College Chicago, Illinois: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri: The applicant must attend an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Park University Parkville, Missouri: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- California State University Los Angeles, California: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- Westcliff University Irvine, California: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, Massachusetts (MCPHS University): The applicant must have education in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- DeVry University Downers Grove, Illinois: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- Saint Leo University St. Leo, Florida: The applicant must be educated in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Oglethorpe University Atlanta, Georgia: The applicant must be educated in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Seattle Central Community College Seattle, Washington: The TOEFL and IELTS scores are not required for admission.
- Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia: The applicant must have an education from an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- La Sierra University Riverside, California: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin: The applicant must be educated in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Marymount California University Rancho Palos Verdes, California: The applicant must have an education from an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey: The applicant must have an education from an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida: The applicant must complete his or her degree at an institution where the principal language of instruction is English.
- Baylor University Waco, Texas: A bachelor’s degree from an approved institution where English is the medium of instruction.
- University of North Alabama Florence, North Alabama: TOEFL or IELTS scores are not required.
- ECPI university Virginia Beach, Virginia: The applicant must be educated in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Northwood University Midland, Michigan: The applicant must have an education in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
Documents You Need To Obtain A USA Study Visa For International Students
Therefore, if you are accepted into a US university without taking the IELTS, you will need to bring an admission letter and proof of your fluency in English for the visa interview. You should provide the following documents in this case:
- A valid passport copy
- DS-160 confirmation page
- I-20 Form
- Accommodation Proof
- Resume or CV
- Healthcare Coverage
- Academics Transcripts
- SEVIS application payment receipt
- Passport-size photograph
It’s important to remember that although we’ve covered several strategies for getting into prestigious US universities without taking the IELTS exam, the requirements for admission differ depending on the courses you choose and even the colleges you want to attend.