Can You Study Abroad Without TOEFL or GRE?

• Sakal India Foundation
• November 20, 2025
• Post Views: 5

Studying​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ abroad is probably the biggest dream for most of the Indian students, and for many, it seems as if their dreams are tied to the results of competitive exams such as GRE and TOEFL. Both these tests are recognized as the basic requirements for English language proficiency and are standards to confirm the academic readiness – but how about not taking these exams and studying abroad? The first thing is that in 2025 there are several universities and different countries that offer students different paths to be able to skip these exams and still obtain a high-quality international education.

As worldwide education becomes less rigid and more open, numerous colleges have come up with exam waivers, other methods of assessment, and new eligibility criteria. In case you abhor standardized tests, have little time to prepare and still want to have an easier admission process, these alternatives will give you the needed know-how to properly get ready for your overseas education.

Here, we talk about studying abroad without taking a GRE or TOEFL test and in which countries it is possible to do so. Moreover, answers to the most frequently asked questions will help you make a wise and well-informed decision.

Are TOEFL and GRE Mandatory for Studying Abroad?

It is a common misconception among students that obtaining scores on the GRE and TOEFL is a must if one wishes to be admitted to the best universities in foreign countries. However, these tests are only popular and widely recognized but are not mandated everywhere. To put it simply, restrictions regarding exams depend on the university, program, and country.

Typically, TOEFL is the instrument for determining English proficiency; however, a considerable number of universities permit their students to take either IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo. A few of them do not even consider it a criterion for students who graduated from schools and colleges in English-medium institutions. Whereas GRE is mostly the requirement for STEM and master’s/Ph.D. level programs in the U.S. only, several universities have made it optional or have completely dropped it in their lists of admission requirements.

The changes in worldwide student admission trends—particularly during and after the COVID-19 period—have, over the last few years, impelled educational institutions to become more flexible regarding the criteria of selecting students. Provided that you demonstrate your scholastic skills and English communicative abilities by some other means than these tests, there is nothing that prohibits you from studying abroad without taking ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌them.

When Can You Study Abroad Without TOEFL?

Universities​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ will waive the need for a TOEFL score in dozens of situations. Some of these are determined by the academic background the applicant has, while others depend on university policies or country-specific rules. Before submitting an application, it is always a good idea to check the official requirements of the institution you want to attend.

Situations Where You Can Study Abroad Without TOEFL:

• You were a student in an English-medium school for more than ten years.
• There are a lot of universities that take school transcripts as proof of English being the main medium of instruction.
• You have earned a degree in English.
• Typically bachelor’s or master’s degrees conducted in English are accepted as language proficiency credentials.
• If your university allows you to take alternative tests (IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo) to prove your English language proficiency, you can use one of them instead of TOEFL.
• These tests are internationally acknowledged and are often more comfortable or more convenient than TOEFL.
• You are granted an English language proficiency waiver.
• Certain institutions give waivers that are based on academic scores and interviews.
• The country you have selected does not require TOEFL for student visa applications.
• The likes of Germany, France, Norway, and Italy usually have accommodative language requirements.
• You provide evidence that you work in English.
• In the case of MBA or master’s programs, professional experience in a workforce that uses English may be allowed.
• If you go through an online interview with your university.
• Several universities verify the student’s proficiency in English through the interview rather than through a standardized test.

A lot of such scenarios exist whereby it is completely feasible to obtain a foreign admission without the necessity of a TOEFL exam.

When Can You Study Abroad Without GRE?

The GRE is the main requirement for most graduate programs in the fields of engineering, computer science, natural sciences, and analytics. Nevertheless, a good number of universities have already decided to adopt test-optional policies for this requirement. This has created an opportunity for those students who wish to refrain from taking the GRE or are not confident with taking standardized tests.

Situations Where You Can Study Abroad Without GRE:

• Universities have test-optional policies for the 2025 admissions cycles.
• Several universities located in the USA and Europe have dropped the GRE requirement for most master’s programs.
• Your academic record and achievements are commendable.
• Good academic preparation can be enough to make up for lack of GRE scores.
• Institutions focus more on applicants’ work background and portfolios.
• In the case of such areas as design, business analytics, architecture, and public policy, the GRE is of little significance.
• You choose to pursue your higher education in countries where GRE is seldom asked for.
• Germany, UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland usually do not require GRE.
• You have the necessary work experience to back you up.
• The professional background of your career in the fields of IT, engineering, or business can be made a strong point of your application.
• In addition, if you pick an educational program that is based on coursework rather than a thesis, it will generally be the case that GRE is not required.
• Course-based programs usually do not require GRE and instead they look at academic records and statements of purpose.
• Without the GRE, universities grant you the possibility of conditional admission.
• Certain institutions admit students initially and then decide on further examinations.

Such an arrangement allows students to enroll in reputable graduate programs without having to worry about preparing for the GRE.

Countries Where You Can Study Without TOEFL or GRE

These countries are open for international students without imposing strict examination requirements. They provide different ways for evaluation, programs in the English language, and policies that are friendly for those who are granted waivers.

• Germany – Most courses with English as the teaching language accept MOI (Medium of Instruction) certificates; GRE is not required for the majority of courses.
• United Kingdom (UK) – Universities generally welcome substitutes for IELTS and seldom request GRE.
• Canada – A lot of universities make waivers for English tests and do not require GRE, especially for master’s programs that are coursework-based.
• Australia – Is open to a multitude of alternatives to English and has flexible graduate admission policies.
• Ireland – MOI certificates as well as alternative English tests are frequently accepted.
• France – A huge number of English-taught programs do not require TOEFL or GRE.
• Italy – Public universities accept MOI certificates, and GRE is not mandatory.
• Norway – Most programs are in English, and students can use different forms of proof of proficiency.
• New Zealand – Is not strict with English tests and does not require GRE for any program.
• Dubai / UAE – A lot of universities accept Indian academic scores and waive language tests.

These places not only give you a high-quality education but also make it easy for Indian students to get ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌in.

Related Blog: A Complete Guide to Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

FAQs About Study Abroad Without TOEFL or GRE

These​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ are some of the questions students frequently ask when they are contemplating studying abroad but don’t have their exam results.

Q1. Do European universities require TOEFL or GRE?

Not necessarily. Quite a few European universities allow a certificate of the language of instruction as a substitute for the TOEFL or IELTS. Besides, the GRE is scarcely ever needed, only if you are applying for a very competitive STEM program. Germany, France, Italy, and Norway, for example, have hundreds of study programs where you don’t have to take any of the two tests.

Q2. Which countries allow study abroad without GRE?

Those countries are the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and France. Most of the time, in the USA as well, universities have already made the GRE optional or have completely done away with it.

Q3. Is it easier to get admission abroad without GRE or TOEFL?

That is to say, it depends on the university and the program. Although there are routes without exams, universities still require academic records, SOPs, resumes, and interviews for their evaluation. Access to programs with alternative requirements is possible, but the level of competition remains at the same high point.

Q4. What are the alternatives to TOEFL for studying abroad?

Those options which can be accepted in most places are as follows: IELTS, PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, CAE/CPE (Cambridge), and MOI certificates. Also, some universities provide English tests or interviews internally.

Q5. Is it possible that I study in Canada without having a TOEFL or taking an IELTS?

Absolutely! A number of Canadian universities have agreed to accept MOI certificates or alternative English tests such as Duolingo. The only problem is that for a visa application, IELTS or an equivalent approved test is generally required; therefore, students ought to check the IRCC regulations before submitting their applications.

Conclusion

You don’t really need a TOEFL or GRE to study abroad, and in fact, it’s becoming quite a common practice. Worldwide universities are reaching out to the needs of the foreign students by offering more and more options such as waivers, alternative tests, and internal evaluations. Not only undergraduates but also postgraduates and research programs are open to you if you drop the idea of taking the abovementioned exams.

If you know well what each university requires and decide to go to a place where you don’t have to take an exam, then you will have made the whole admission process much easier while at the same time, you will still have a chance of getting the best education in the world.

Yes, your perfect study prospect may actually come true but you don’t have to take a GRE or be proficient at TOEFL to make that ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌happen.