As we continue to grasp the reality that English was born in the UK and possibly nurtured in the USA; where does this leave the rest of the world if institutions in both countries require an IELTS to enroll? At least 8 out of 10 people in the world can’t speak the English language; how does this impact such individuals if educational purpose entry into the US and the UK continues to require proficiency in English?
Although English is a global language, for some, migrating to the US or the UK is the closest option towards effectively learning the language; however, if one from countries where English is not a major or minor language has to contemplate studying in the US for instance, they have to be faced with the difficult task of passing the IELTS. This is neither doing justice to the English language, the individuals aspiring to migrate to the United States, or even the United States itself.
To increase the opportunity for people in these countries where the English Language is unpopular, we have examined some Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA 2024; we intend to explore options where an IELTS is not compulsory for gaining admission or benefiting from such institution’s scholarships for individuals who are not fluent in English or are from English disadvantaged countries.
Note: We understand the value and implication of the IELTS program as such we would briefly touch on it before progressing to the scholarships that may benefit individuals irrespective of IELTS or not. This is because we believe that individuals need to understand the motive behind the IELTS program and how to succeed in one for interested candidates.
When you can, it is worth pursuing because the IELTS increases your chances of succeeding in your US or UK study pursuit. Let’s brush on the concept of the IELTS for the sake of those coming to terms with its implications for the first time or as a refresher for those accustomed to the program.
What is IELTS and how does it impact your chances of education or scholarships in the US?
In most US schools, English is the primary language of instruction. The main objective of educational institutions is to ensure that instruction is communicated between the instructor and the recipient effectively. Hindrance to such instruction flow will hamper the education process thereby depleting resources of education or instruction.
When this continues it becomes counterproductive to the education goal. To limit such situations, the IELTS program was introduced as a standardized test to ensure that the efficiency of non-native speakers in the use of the English language can be determined.
To maximize such efficiency and avoid the overuse of resources which includes human resources and others in trying to pass educational instruction to non-native speakers with ineffective command of English, several schools in the United States have adopted language proficiency exams like the IELTS as critical criteria for several school admissions and even benefits like scholarships.
While the importance of such language proficiency exams is noted, it also defeats the very objective of education. Education ought to be a kind of migration from the unknown to the ability to know and how would people know when they are denied access to the best place they could have learned the language they didn’t know simply because they are not efficient in the Language.
Although today it is easier to learn a new language using new tools especially online, the advantage offered by an active community of real and interactive speakers of such language is lost in online language classes or applications.
This is why exploring scholarship options for migrants without IELTS is crucial; in reality, not all who desire to study in the US and other countries requiring IELTS possess what it takes to succeed in IELTS without exposure to English-speaking environments.
The chances of finding a US school that offers Scholarships to foreigners without Requesting an IELTS
While it is not impossible to find a US school that offers scholarships to migrants and at the same time without an IELTS, the chances are less. Ideally, most US university scholarships are designed for the students of such institutions.
The bright side is that schools that do not require IELTS are more likely to include international students in their scholarships. We will examine some of these schools; however, let’s first look at the benefits of such schools that offer study and scholarship opportunities to foreign students without IELTS.
How to Find Your US Universities that accept students without IELTS and even include foreigners in their scholarship Programs
If you sit in the comfort of your room wondering which US universities accept students without an IELTS and even offer scholarships then you may never really find the answer. Although we shall discuss a few of these universities later, aspirants can research further to find their ideal institution by following these steps on the Internet.
- Research about US Universities: Several resources are available for those who wish to find universities in the United States and learn more about such institutions.
- Visit the website of such University: Most platforms that provide information about universities in the United States also make available links to such institution’s websites.
- Ensure that you visit a reliable university information website: Several individuals create fake copies of websites for selfish purposes, always ensure that you are visiting the right website of your university of interest by checking the institution’s other information portal and ensuring that multiple websites are linking to the university’s website. This is important to ensure authenticity.
- Contact support and make inquiries: Most university websites include a support feature where individuals can contact the university and make inquiries. This is where potential international students can ask if the school in focus accepts international students without IELTS or has scholarship provisions for such students.
Benefits of Schools that don’t emphasize IELTS While Including International Students in the scholarship programs
For some of the institutions that offer scholarships to international students, in several cases, not all scholarships will be available to such international students.
Being US universities, chances are that some of the scholarships especially those whose funding is connected to the government at different levels may only be available to citizens unless specifically designed for foreigners.
Given that some of these institutions still have some scholarships for foreigners even without IELTS, it is a commendable effort, and we would examine some of the benefits.
- Advancement of English: While IELTS may increase communication efficiency, it also doesn’t give new speakers an avenue to access an active speaker community. Active speakers are vital to developing proficiency in any language. These schools that overlook IELTS are encouraging more speaking of the language by migrating individuals to an active English-speaking society.
- Individual access to quality education: For so many individuals, their very objective of migrating to the US is for educational purposes. If all schools prioritize the IELTS as a core entry criterion into US universities, several individuals would be denied the quality education that the US offers.
- Increased number of students for the institution: Education is a business and even when a scholarship is a free package, some beneficiaries come back much later to give back to such institutions. Giving more people opportunities to study in an institution on a scholarship also widens such institution’s net of opportunities.
- Scholarships for educationally disadvantaged countries: Studying in the US for individuals from countries with a disadvantaged educational system may only be possible if they gain scholarships or other student support. These schools that offer scholarships to individuals with no IELTS certificates increase the chances of international students especially those struggling to access quality education in their home country.
- Financial Rewards: In most cases, these scholarships come with financial rewards often intended to cover tuition; however at other times rewards may include additional allowances for personal expenditures.
- Benefits for the home country: When individuals can study on a scholarship in a US institution without an IELTS, it opens doors of cultural exposure to benefiting individuals. Upon returning to their home country after studies, such individuals usually become a valuable asset.
- Personal development: The great thing about studying on a scholarship in the US without an IELTS is that you may likely become proficient in the English language once you become fully integrated into the US society as you progress in your studies. This improves not just the beneficiary’s command of the English Language but also knowledge in other areas.
Criteria or Requirements
- Enroll in a scholarship institution: Since most universities’ scholarship awards are for their students, individuals aspiring to benefit from US university scholarship programs are expected to have satisfied the admission requirements of the institution and as such must have become a student.
- Meet Visa requirements for migration: Since we are examining scholarships in institutions where an IELTS is not compulsory for migrants, such students must move to the United States through a legitimate channel. This includes ensuring that visa provisions are satisfied.
- Meet the target institution’s unique scholarship eligibility criteria: Every university has unique requirements for its scholarships. International students aspiring to benefit from such programs are expected to meet those unique scholarship requirements for the target institution.
US universities offering scholarships to international students without IELTS
We will focus on institutions not requiring IELTS where US scholarships for international students may apply. There are unique US scholarships for international students; for example “the Fulbright Scholarships”. International students can gain such dedicated scholarships and transfer the reward to their student accounts.
In this case, priority is given to institutions not needing an IELTS for international students. See our collection of institutions not requiring an IELTS, or where an IELTS is optional but have scholarships for migrants or that support migrants who benefit from other US scholarships for migrants.
- Harvard University: As one of the most reputable private universities in the US, Harvard University is the epitome of opportunity for all. The institution apart from making IELTS optional also has some of its scholarship programs that are available to international students.
- Rice University: This University in Houston, Texas has a tradition of ensuring that interested individuals can access its world-class education. This is manifested in some of their scholarships which are available to international students and also you don’t necessarily need an IELTS to be enrolled.
- University of Colorado: When we examine public universities that give equal opportunities to their students, we could be looking at the University of Colorado. For international students, an IELTS is not compulsory for enrollment and the institution also has scholarships for migrants.
- University of Delaware: The largest university in Delaware also includes international students in its various support programs. The institution has some scholarships for international students and it is not compulsory to tender an IELTS for enrollment purposes for international students.
Note: Apart from these few listed universities, several other US schools include international students in their different scholarship programs, and on several occasions, an IELTS is neither compulsory for admission nor scholarships. An IELTS however may improve the chances of admission or scholarship.
It is also noteworthy that other dedicated scholarships for international students exist. Most of these institutions also accept other external scholarships even those awarded by individuals and organizations.
Conclusion
Many international students especially those from non-English speaking countries usually have difficulties understanding or communicating in English effectively. This makes it difficult for students from such countries to achieve an excellent IELTS score.
Several Universities in the US are aware of this and as such some institution makes IELTS optional. Some schools include international students in their scholarship programs. This includes encouraging their international students to apply for and benefit from external scholarships for international students.
Such institutions usually facilitate the redemption and reflection of such external or dedicated scholarships for international students in the students’ accounts. We hope this guide helps you to attain a scholarship in any of your choice institutions that do not require IELTS and offer scholarships to international students.