If you’re a Nigerian student looking to study in the USA without IELTS, this page is for you. Learn about the steps and options available to make your dream a reality.
Suppose you wish to study in the USA as a Nigerian student; you are among the thousands of prospective students planning to do so. Although it costs a lot to study in the USA, the reward is priceless. In addition, you must meet some admission requirements to be admitted to some universities in the country. One of them is the IELTS test, an English language proficiency test.
You may want to know if studying in the USA without IELTS is possible. First, as long as your course of study is in English, you must prove that you are sound and can read, speak, write and understand English clearly. Remarkably, some schools are waiving it for Nigerian students today because English has been a language of learning and communication in the country.
Regardless of the above, we will explain the meaning of IELTS, how to study in the US without it, and eligible universities.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is IELTS?
- 2 Universities in the USA where you can study without IELTS
- 3 How do You study in the USA without IELTS?
- 3.1 #Step 1: Apply to study in the USA without IELTS
- 3.2 #Step 2: Prepare for interviews
- 3.3 #Step 3: Pay Your Tuition Fees and Other Study in the USA
- 3.4 #Step 4: Apply for Student Visa in the USA
- 3.5 Eleven (11) documents are required for a Visa Application to Study in the USA without IELTS
- 3.6 What are the Eligibility Criteria to study in the USA without IELTS?
- 3.7 What is ESL Course?
- 3.8 How many IELTS Bands are required for USA Universities?
- 3.9 Conclusion
What is IELTS?
As a Nigerian student preparing to study in the USA, you must have come across ILETS during your preparation. It is an acronym for International English Language Testing System. It is one of the standardized tests for non-native English language speakers to study in any English-speaking country.
In addition, taking an IELTS does not come cheap. It costs around 80,000 naira. Besides, if your score does not meet the cut-off, you must pay again before retaking the test.
Scaling through your IELTS may be tricky if you are studying on a budget or hoping to study through a fully funded scholarship. That is why you need to find out the US universities and colleges that can approve your application without the IELTS requirement.
However, these schools will request you show proof that English was your language of instruction in Nigeria. Your head of department or dean of faculty is expected to write a letter. Another essential point is that you must have good grades and strong academic excellence to strengthen your chances of admission.
Universities in the USA where you can study without IELTS
Here are the universities that allow you to study in the USA without IELTS as a Nigerian student, including their alternative requirements:
- The University of Dayton – you must have done an Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
- California State University – you must have attended secondary schooling or above for three academic years in Nigeria and a few other countries.
- University of New Orleans (UNO) – you must possess up to UNO IELP 63+ in LGVR and 70+ in Writing.
- The University of Colorado – you must be a native of an English-speaking country or have completed an academic year in the USA.
- The University of Delaware – you must possess proof of ELI (English Language for Internationals)
- Drexel University – you must show proof of the University Preparation Summer Program (UPSP) and Bridge Programs for international students.
- The University of Arkansas –you must have done an Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
- University of Iowa – You must meet the minimum score in IELTS: Overall bands: 4.5 (no less than 4.0 in each module for conditional admission). Next is to attend IIEP (Iowa International English Program) compulsorily.
- Others include Northwood University, State University of New York, and Rice University.
How do You study in the USA without IELTS?
To study in the USA without IELTS, you can follow the steps below:
#Step 1: Apply to study in the USA without IELTS
- Research or investigate the universities you want to apply to and the courses you wish to study in the USA.
- Check the eligibility criteria of the universities on their websites. If possible, consider their rankings to know their teaching and research qualities.
- Consider the ones that are best academically and with the resources to accommodate Nigerian students.
- Apply online for the universities or colleges in the USA you have selected.
#Step 2: Prepare for interviews
If you are fortunate for the school to shortlist your name, the next stage would be to interview you. You will reveal some personal information relevant to your studies through the interview. It will be carried out in English to determine your proficiency and eagerness to study in the USA without IELTS, too.
#Step 3: Pay Your Tuition Fees and Other Study in the USA
After the video interview, you will receive an acceptance letter from the university, proving that the interview was successful. If you are interested in furthering the process, you must pay your tuition and other fees, as stated in the letter.
#Step 4: Apply for Student Visa in the USA
After settling your fees, you will proceed to the next stage: applying for a student visa. You will do this at the USA embassy in Abuja or the consulate in Lagos. Again, ensure to provide all the information and pay your visa application fee.
In addition, the visa interview will require you to show that you have an international baccalaureate, have previously studied in the English language, or are from an English-speaking country. However, the interview may not involve the above proof if you are to study in the USA at a high-ranking university.
Eleven (11) documents are required for a Visa Application to Study in the USA without IELTS
You will show the following documents at the visa office during your interview:
- A Valid Passport
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Confirmation page of DS-160
- Form I -20
- Proof of payment of application fees for SEVIS
- Letter of acceptance/confirmation from the university
- Proof of funds to sustain in the USA
- Proof of housing in the USA
- Resume
- Academic transcripts
- Healthcare insurance
What are the Eligibility Criteria to study in the USA without IELTS?
If you must study in the USA without IELTS, you must fulfill specific conditions. These conditions include:
- Suppose English is your first language or you are a native of an English-speaking country; you do not need to write IELTS or any standardized admission tests.
- If you have attended and completed any academic studies in the USA for at least one year, universities can accept you to study in the USA without IELTS.
- You will attend an IELP (Intensive Learning Program) to substitute for the IELTS.
- You may also attend some summer programs in the USA to make up for the lack of English language proficiency proof.
- Some US universities offer bridge courses for students who do not meet the minimum English language criteria for direct admission to study a specific course.
- Some US universities might waive the IELTS as proof of English language proficiency if your secondary school or bachelor’s degree was completed in English.
What is ESL Course?
ESL is an English language course for non-native English speakers. It stands for English as a Second Language and encapsulates English Grammar, Pronunciation, Spelling, and Vocabulary. With the ESL course, students can accomplish the required English language proficiency for the course they wish to study in the USA. Hence, it is an alternative to studying in the USA without IELTS.
In addition, you should consider the eligibility criteria for the course you are to study in the USA to be sure it does not require IELTS, even though the university may not need it. Notwithstanding, an IELTS score speeds up the visa application process and proves that you are equipped with English language knowledge to study in the USA. Therefore, it is recommended you take IELTS to study in the USA. However, your decisions are respected if you wish to do otherwise due to the cost of writing the test and other conditions. You may want to know the required IELTS bands for US universities, and here they are.
How many IELTS Bands are required for USA Universities?
Different universities, programs, and degrees in the USA have various IELTS thresholds, and you must meet them to qualify for admission. However, the minimum cut-off for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the USA is 7.5 IELTS. Nevertheless, some schools go as low as 6.0 bands. Yet, some go lower than 6.0, but it must be combined with ESL courses in the USA.
Here is a comprehensive guide on how to study in the USA
Conclusion
Have you been wondering how possible it is to study in the USA without IELTS? This article has demystified your fears; now, you know it is possible. First, it would be best to meet the conditions to be admitted to the university with IELTS. In essence, you should reach out to the schools of your choice and check their conditions before applying. Then, consider those without IELTS, meet the requirements, and you are good to go.
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