Hey there, aspiring scholars!
If you want to study in the UK on a fully funded scholarship but the thought of taking IELTS or TOEFL is holding you back, you’re in the right place. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a golden opportunity for students from developing Commonwealth countries, and the best part? Some universities don’t even require those dreaded English language tests—or they offer waivers!
In this post, I’ll walk you through the list of universities that participate in the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships and have lenient or no requirements for English proficiency exams. We’ll also dive into how you can make the most of these opportunities and why this might just be your ticket to an unforgettable academic journey.
Let’s start exploring—stay tuned as I share the universities I’ve discovered from my research. Trust me, by the end of this post, you’ll have everything you need to take that first step toward your dream.
1. Aberystwyth University: English Language Requirements
Aberystwyth University provides an excellent pathway for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship applicants by offering English language waivers for students from certain countries. Instead of requiring IELTS or TOEFL, the university accepts a range of qualifications to assess your English proficiency.
For Students from Nigeria (and other WAEC/NECO Countries)
If you have completed the WAEC/NECO SSC or WASSC:
- Credit (Grades 4–6) or higher is accepted for most programs.
- For more competitive programs, a Good (Grade 3) or above might be required.
For Students from Ghana
Aberystwyth accepts:
- WAEC Senior Secondary School Certificate: Grade C6 or above.
- West African Senior School Certificate Examination: Grade D or above (depending on the program).
For Students from Kenya
With a Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE):
- A minimum grade of C suffices for entry to most programs.
For Students from Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia
- Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE): Grade C or higher.
- Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE): Credit (3-6) or higher.
- Zambia Secondary School Certificate: Grade 6 or higher.
For Students from Zimbabwe
- General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level: A minimum of Grade C is required.
Other Recognized Qualifications
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Cameroon GCE O Level: Grade C or above.
Indian Standard XII (CBSE or CISCE):
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70% or higher in English for most programs.
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Note: Some states are excluded from this waiver.
2. Brunel University London: English Language Waivers
If you’re considering applying to Brunel University London under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme, here’s some great news! The university accepts certain qualifications from specific countries as proof of English proficiency, removing the need for additional tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
Here are the details:
For Students from Nigeria
- SSSCE/WASSCE (WAEC): A minimum of C4 or above.
- NECO: A minimum of C4 or above.
For Students from Ghana
- SSSCE/WASSCE (WAEC): A minimum of C5 is required.
For Students from Kenya
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): Grades A to C- are considered equivalent to a GCSE Grade C.
3. Brunel University London: English Language Waivers
If you’re considering applying to Brunel University London under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme, the university accepts certain qualifications from specific countries as proof of English proficiency, removing the need for additional tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
Here are the details:
For Students from Nigeria
- SSSCE/WASSCE (WAEC): A minimum of C4 or above.
- NECO: A minimum of C4 or above.
For Students from Ghana
- SSSCE/WASSCE (WAEC): A minimum of C5 is required.
For Students from Kenya
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): Grades A to C- are considered equivalent to a GCSE Grade C.
4. Queen’s University Belfast: English Language Waivers
Queen’s University Belfast simplifies the application process for students from West Africa by accepting the WAEC Senior School Certificate as proof of English proficiency. This is excellent news for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship applicants who meet the criteria.
Accepted Qualification
**WAEC Senior School Certificate (English Language)**:
A minimum grade of **C6** is accepted as comparable to:
- IELTS 6.0 (with 5.5 in each test component).
- IELTS 6.5 (with 5.5 in each test component).
- IELTS 7.0 (with 5.5 in each test component).
Validity Period
The qualification must have been completed within the last 7 years for it to be considered valid.
5. Royal Agricultural University: English Language Waivers
Royal Agricultural University is another excellent option for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship applicants. For students from West Africa, the university accepts the WAEC Senior School Certificate as proof of English proficiency, simplifying the application process.
Accepted Qualification
**West African Examinations Council (WAEC) SSCE in English**:
- A minimum grade of C6 or above is required, achieved in the first sitting.
6. Royal Veterinary College: English Language Test Exemption
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) provides an English language test exemption for students whose prior degrees meet specific criteria. This is an incredible opportunity for veterinary professionals applying for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship who may not want to take additional language tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
Exemption Criteria
To qualify for the exemption, you must:
Hold a **veterinary degree** that was:
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Taught entirely in English.
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Assessed entirely in English.
Provide formal confirmation in the form of a letter sent directly to RVC by your university. The letter must:
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Be written in English.
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Confirm that your entire course was both taught and assessed in English.
How to Submit the Letter
Your university must send the letter directly to RVC at the following email address: newapplications@rcvs.org.uk
7. SOAS, University of London: English Language Exemptions
SOAS, University of London, offers a straightforward English language exemption for students from specific countries. If you meet the criteria, you can bypass tests like IELTS or TOEFL, making it easier to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
Exemption Criteria
You do not need to provide evidence of your English language ability if:
You have completed a **degree taught entirely in English** in one of the following countries:
- Canada
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Your degree was completed within the last 10 years.
8. St Mary’s University, Twickenham: English Language Waivers
St Mary’s University, Twickenham, offers a convenient English language waiver for applicants from Nigeria and Ghana, making the application process for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship even smoother.
Accepted Qualification
**West African Senior School Certificate Exam (WASSCE or WAEC)**:
- Applicants must have achieved a minimum of C4 in English.
Applicable Countries
This waiver is specifically available to students from:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
9. University College London (UCL): English Language Exemption
University College London (UCL) makes it easier for students from a wide range of countries to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship by offering an English language exemption. If you are from one of the majority English-speaking countries listed below, you won’t need to provide additional evidence of your English language proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL.
Majority English-Speaking Countries
UCL recognizes the following countries as English-speaking, meaning their graduates are exempt from English language testing:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon (only if the qualification is taught in English)
- Canada
- Caribbean/West Indies (English-speaking Caribbean Commonwealth territories)
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Malta (where the degree is taught entirely in English)
- Mauritius
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Singapore
- South Africa
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- The Bahamas
- Trinidad and Tobago
- The Netherlands (where the degree is taught entirely in English)
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
10. University of Bath: English Language Exemption
The University of Bath offers a great opportunity for applicants from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda by providing an exemption from English language tests, such as IELTS or TOEFL. This is available if you have completed a degree at a recognized institution in these countries where the medium of instruction was English.
Exemption Criteria
If you are a national of one of the following countries and meet the conditions, you may be exempt from providing proof of English language proficiency:
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Uganda
You must have:
- Studied at a level equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree for at least 12 months at an institution in one of these countries.
- Completed your degree no more than 5 years prior to the intended date of admission to the University of Bath.
- Provided official documentation from your awarding university confirming that English was the medium of instruction (e.g., transcript, degree certificate, academic reference, or a statement of comparability from ENIC).
Navigating the application process for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship can be challenging, but knowing which universities offer English language waivers or exemptions can make a big difference.
If you know of other universities that offer similar waivers or exemptions, please feel free to share them in the comments below. Let’s help each other make the most of these incredible opportunities!
Good luck with your scholarship applications, and don’t forget to check back for more updates and helpful tips!