Universities in Europe That Accept Students Without IELTS

For many international students, taking the IELTS exam (or similar standard English proficiency tests like TOEFL) can be a hurdle, due to cost, test center access, or scheduling.

Fortunately, an increasing number of European universities accept students without IELTS under certain conditions. These conditions may include proof of prior education in English, a “medium of instruction” certificate, internal English assessments, or other recognized tests.

If you’re planning to study in Europe in 2025 and want options without having to take IELTS, this article will help. We’ll explore what “without IELTS” usually means, list top universities doing this, alternatives accepted, and tips to make sure your application is accepted.

What “Without IELTS” Typically Means

Universities that waive the IELTS requirement generally allow these alternatives:

MOI (Medium of Instruction) Certificate: A document from your previous institution (high school or university) showing that your courses were taught in English.
Proof of prior degree or schooling in English: If your last qualification was fully in English, many universities accept that.
Internal English test/interview: Some universities conduct their own test or interview to assess your English skills.
Other accepted exams: TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge exams, Duolingo (if the university allows these as alternatives).
Country/exemption-based clauses: Sometimes students from certain countries are exempted because English is an official language or a widely used educational medium.

It’s important to check the specific program’s admission requirements, because the waiver might only apply to certain departments or levels (for example, master’s programs vs bachelor’s) and might have additional conditions.

Top European Universities That Accept Students Without IELTS (or Provide Clear IELTS Alternatives)

Below are several universities in Europe known to either waive IELTS or accept strong alternatives. These are especially helpful for students who have studied in English-medium environments.

University	Country	What They Accept as Alternatives to IELTS	Popular Programs / Notes
University of Siegen	Germany	MOI certificate if previous education was in English; English-taught master’s programs.	Good for engineering, IT, management fields.
University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau)	Germany	Alternative proofs of English proficiency (e.g. MOI) instead of IELTS.	Strong engineering/natural sciences focus.
Justus Liebig University Giessen	Germany	MOI or equivalent proof; possibly internal assessments.	Offers life sciences, social sciences.
Free University of Berlin	Germany	MOI or a department test / interview, or prior English education.	Strong reputation; many English-taught master’s programs.
University of Bologna	Italy	Proof of English-medium education; some programs allow internal English interviews.	Broad range of disciplines; humanities, engineering, business, sciences.
Politecnico di Milano	Italy	Waives IELTS if prior education was in English or alternate proof; internal assessments used.	Engineering, architecture, design are flagship fields.
University of Padua	Italy	Certificate of English medium instruction; possibly internal English assessment.	Known for strong programs in science, medicine, arts.
University of Pisa	Italy	Previous English-medium education or other proofs accepted; internal interview in some cases.	Good for sciences, philosophy, mathematics.
University of Oslo	Norway	MOI or proof of prior English instruction; some internal assessments.	Strong in humanities, sciences; known for research.
Ghent University	Belgium	Accepts MOI; proof of English-taught bachelor’s degree; or interview.	Offers English-taught programs across various disciplines.

Example Requirements & What You’ll Need

To successfully apply to one of these universities without IELTS, you’ll often need the following:

A Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate from your school or previous university, stating that the medium of teaching was English.
Your transcripts and degree certificates showing English as the medium of instruction.
Sometimes, an internal English test or interview by the university.
Proof via other tests (TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, etc.) if accepted.
In some cases, universities may require a minimum GPA or equivalent performance.
Clear documentation showing any English education (like English-medium high school or previous degree).

Advantages & Challenges of Applying Without IELTS

Advantages:

Saves cost and time (no need to study/prep for IELTS).
Better accessibility for students in regions where IELTS test centers are limited or expensive.
Flexibility for those who already studied in English-medium schools.

Challenges:

Universities may still require proof of proficiency via other means (MOI, internal exam, or alternative tests). Sometimes the process is less clear or more administrative.
Even if the university waives IELTS, visa/immigration authorities for your study country might still demand proof of English proficiency separately.
Programs may still have language-support requirements; lack of strong English skills can affect performance.
Some programs might have stricter standards in the absence of standardised test scores; you may need stronger academic credentials or interviews.

How to Confirm Your Eligibility

Here are steps to verify if your chosen university and program accept applications without IELTS:

Visit the official university website: Admission / English requirements section. That’s the source of truth.
Check program-specific requirements: English waiver may apply to some programs but not others.
Contact admissions office: Send an email to ask explicitly if MOI/previous English degree is sufficient.
Verify visa requirements: Some countries require English proof at visa stage even if the university doesn’t.
Prepare alternative proofs ahead: MOI certificate, previous transcripts, letters confirming English teaching, internal test readiness.

Conclusion

Yes, there are quite a few good universities in Europe that accept students without requiring IELTS, especially if you can provide proof that your previous education was in English or satisfy alternative English proficiency criteria.

German universities like Siegen, Kaiserslautern-Landau, Free University of Berlin etc.; and many Italian institutions such as Bologna, Padua, Politecnico di Milano, Pisa are strong examples. Also, institutions in Norway and Belgium like University of Oslo and Ghent.

If you are planning to apply, check your specific program’s requirements, gather strong proof of English, and be ready for some alternative assessments.