Guide · English tests
Can you study abroad without IELTS from Nepal?
Sometimes, but rarely without any English proof at all. Most countries accept PTE or TOEFL instead of IELTS. Some UK and European universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter or their own test. Australia's student visa always needs a test score. And a university's waiver doesn't stop a visa officer from testing your English at interview.
Written bySushma Karki, Senior counsellorHandles Australia and Finland files, from offer letter to visa.
Checked byRabindra Joshi, Head of complianceChecks every money and visa page against the official source.
Published · 5 min read
The short answer
- Skip English proof entirely
- Almost never for Nepali students
- Use PTE or TOEFL instead
- Yes, in all 10 countries we cover
- MOI letter instead
- Some UK, German and Cypriot universities; rarely elsewhere
- Australia
- Test score needed for the visa. MOI not accepted
- The real risk
- A visa interview you can't handle in English
Rules as of October 2026. Each university sets its own; we check the programme's page before you apply.
Three ways around IELTS
When people say "without IELTS" they usually mean one of three things. Only the first two work in most countries.
- Another test. PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or, at some universities, Duolingo. This is still a test, but PTE results usually come in a few days and many Nepali students score higher on it. Every country we cover accepts PTE or TOEFL somewhere.
- A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter. A letter from your Nepali college or university saying your course was taught in English. Some UK universities accept it for master's applicants; most other countries don't, and Australia's visa never does.
- The university's own test or interview. Some UK universities and most private universities in Cyprus test you themselves, often online.
What doesn't work: a high English mark on your +2 or SEE marksheet on its own. A few universities count it alongside other proof; very few accept it alone.
Country by country, for the 10 countries we cover
The university decides whether to admit you. The embassy or immigration office decides whether you can go. Check both columns.
| Country | MOI letter accepted? | Other tests accepted | What the visa side checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | No | PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and the other tests on the Home Affairs list, taken in person | A test score is required for the student visa: IELTS 6.0 or the equal score |
| UK | At some universities, for degree-level courses | PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo and the university's own test at some | The university confirms you meet B2 level. Foundation and pre-sessional courses need a UKVI test. The officer can interview you |
| Germany | At some universities, for English-taught master's | TOEFL, PTE at some | The embassy can ask how you'll study in English. German-taught courses need German at C1 instead |
| Finland | Rarely for Nepali degrees | PTE, TOEFL or the university's own test at some | Migri relies on the university's admission |
| Sweden | Rarely for Nepali degrees | TOEFL, PTE and some others | Admission requires "English 6", usually IELTS 6.5 or the equal |
| Denmark | Rarely | TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge at most | SIRI relies on the admission |
| Norway | Rarely | TOEFL, PTE at most | UDI relies on the admission |
| Netherlands | Rarely | TOEFL, Cambridge, PTE at some | The university applies to the IND for you, so its English rule decides |
| Belgium | Rarely | TOEFL, PTE at some | The embassy can ask about your study plans in English |
| Cyprus | At some private universities | The university's own English placement test at most | The university's letter to the migration department confirms admission |
Australia is the one hard line. The visa needs a test score whatever the university says, and from 7 August 2025 Home Affairs only accepts tests taken in person at a test centre. At-home versions don't count.
When skipping IELTS is a bad idea
A waiver gets you an offer letter. It doesn't get you through the visa, the first semester or a part-time job.
- The UK credibility interview. UK visa officers can interview you, and they can refuse you if you can't answer questions about your course in English without help. An MOI letter doesn't protect you there.
- You'll need a score later anyway. Australia's Temporary Graduate visa (485) needs a fresh English score. Nursing and other registered jobs need high scores in every band.
- Your first semester. Lectures, group work and assignments are all in English from week one. Students who skipped the test because they feared it often struggle most in the first term.
- Your file looks weaker. A test score is clean evidence. A waiver plus a weak interview is one more thing an officer can doubt.
If your English is genuinely strong, a waiver saves you Rs 36,000 and a few weeks. If you want a waiver because you're afraid of the test, take the test.
If you do need a test, IELTS or PTE?
For most Nepali students the choice is between IELTS and PTE. Both are accepted in all 10 countries we cover, for most programmes.
- PTE is fully computer-marked, and results usually come within a few days. Students who are fluent but nervous speaking to an examiner often prefer it.
- IELTS has a face-to-face speaking test and is the one every university lists first. Students who write well usually do better on IELTS writing.
- TOEFL suits students heading to Germany or the Netherlands, where it's widely accepted. For Australia, you must register for the Australia version.
Our test preparation page compares all three side by side, with the exam fee in rupees. If you want help reaching the score, our IELTS classes and PTE classes in New Baneshwor start every second Sunday, and the level test is free.
