Why the IELTS waiver matters in 2025
Since IELTS fees in Nigeria surged to ₦210 000 in April 2025, many students are re-thinking their study-abroad budgets. A waiver can shave $200+ off your upfront costs and remove the risk of a low band score sinking your application. Better still, it accelerates turnaround time: universities that accept WAEC results often issue an unconditional offer within 10 days, compared with 3–5 weeks when you’re waiting for IELTS scores.
Pair an IELTS-free offer with one of the fully funded scholarships closing soon 🔗 and you could start a UK master’s this autumn without paying a kobo in tuition or language tests.
2025 IELTS-Waiver Universities for Nigerians
All schools below explicitly confirm acceptance of WAEC/NECO English C6 or better for postgraduate entry. Some extend the waiver to certain undergraduate and foundation paths. Always double-check the individual course page before submitting.
| # | University | Min Grade / Condition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Portsmouth | C6 | Letter of English Proficiency required |
| 2 | Brunel University London | C6 | STEM & Business programmes |
| 3 | University of Chester | C6 | Pre-CAS interview via Zoom |
| 4 | Teesside University | C6 | Fast-track CAS in 10 days |
| 5 | Heriot-Watt University | B3 | Engineering & Data Science focus |
| 6 | University of Derby | C6 | £3 000 automatic fee discount |
| 7 | University of Greenwich | C6 | Business School offers only |
| 8 | London South Bank University | C6 | Requires WAEC scratch-card for verification |
| 9 | University of Sunderland | C6 | Health & Nursing courses excluded |
| 10 | University of East London | C6 | WAEC must be ≤10 years old |
| 11 | University of Huddersfield | C6 | Free application throughout 2025 |
| 12 | University of South Wales | C6 | CAS deposit £5 000 |
| 13 | Coventry University | B3 | IELTS waived but Pre-sessional English may be required below B3 |
| 14 | Ulster University (London & Birmingham) | C6 | Flexible payment plan |
| 15 | University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) | C6 | No pre-CAS interview |
| 16 | Robert Gordon University | C6 | Oil & Gas Engineering specialisms |
| 17 | Birmingham City University | C6 | Architecture and Law need IELTS |
| 18 | Anglia Ruskin University | C6 | £2 000 early-bird discount before 31 July |
Common waiver criteria & documents
- WAEC/NECO certificate: C6 or better in English Language. Scan both sides at 300 dpi.
- Scratch-card/Serial number: lets admissions verify results on
waecdirect.org. - Letter of English Proficiency (LoEP): Signed on your university’s letterhead if you earned your bachelor’s in English. Some schools accept LoEP + WAEC D7—ask the admissions team.
- Pre-CAS interview: Short Zoom call to confirm verbal fluency.
- Time limit: Certificates older than 10 years may be rejected (check UEL & Greenwich policies).
Failing the above? Consider alternative tests like Duolingo English Test (DET) which costs ₦75 000 and delivers results in 48 hours. Our comparison piece IELTS vs Duolingo 🔗 shows when DET is wiser.
Eight-step application timeline (finish in 14 days)
- Day 1: Choose 3 target universities from the list above—rank by course fit, fees, and location.
- Day 2: Order official WAEC statement and buy a scratch-card at any Bank Branch (₦3 500).
- Day 3: Draft a 500-word Statement of Purpose (SOP). Follow the SOP blueprint 🔗; just swap “Chevening” for your course goals.
- Day 4: Scan degree transcripts and CV (one-page). Compress PDFs under 2 MB.
- Day 5: Submit online applications (most are free). Pay application fee only where unavoidable (≈£20–£30).
- Day 8–10: Attend any required Pre-CAS interview; speak clearly but naturally—no need for a British accent.
- Day 11: Receive Conditional Offer. Pay CAS deposit (£3 000–£5 000).
- Day 14: Collect CAS letter and start your UK student-visa process. Use our visa-route comparison 🔗 to map long-term plans.
Stacking scholarships to slash your proof-of-funds
Remember: UKVI expects you to show Tuition + £9 207 living costs (outer London) or £12 006 (inner London). Winning even a partial tuition award can cut this figure by 30–70 %.
Check the scholarship desk of each university—many waive £2 000–£5 000 for early-bird deposits. Combine that with external awards in our women-in-STEM list 🔗, and you might reach zero-tuition territory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is WAEC English always enough?
- Yes for the universities above, provided you meet the grade requirement. Some degrees—Nursing, Law, Journalism—may still impose IELTS for professional accreditation.
- Can I combine WAEC + Duolingo if my WAEC grade is D7?
- Yes. UEL, Derby, and Teesside accept DET 105+ plus WAEC D7. Brunel and Coventry require at least WAEC C6 regardless.
- How old can my WAEC be?
- Greenwich and UEL limit to certificates issued ≤10 years ago; others have no formal age cap but prefer < 15 years.
- Does a pre-sessional English course remove the need for IELTS?
- In many cases, yes. You could take a 6-week course at the same university and secure CAS without IELTS, but it costs £1 500–£2 500.
- What if I eventually want UK work rights?
- Finish your degree, then apply for the 2-year Graduate Route or switch directly to Skilled Worker. Compare pathways in our UK visa-route guide 🔗.
Success stories: Nigerians who skipped IELTS and won
Tomi A. gained admission to University of Portsmouth’s MSc Cybersecurity in March 2025 with WAEC B3, no IELTS, and a £3 000 Dean’s Scholarship. CAS arrived in 9 days.
Yusuf O. entered Brunel’s MBA with WAEC C6 and a 2-page LoEP. He saved ₦210 000 IELTS fee and arrived in the UK five weeks earlier than peers waiting for test results.
Amaka E. combined University of Chester offer plus Mastercard Foundation Scholarship—zero tuition, no IELTS, and full living stipend.
Related reads to keep your UK plan on track
Final thoughts: grab the advantage before everyone else does
UK universities are in a talent war and happy to drop IELTS where capable students can prove English competence another way. Use the waiver while it’s available; rising demand could tighten policies again in 2026.
Block this weekend to scan your WAEC, craft an SOP, and fire off three applications. If cash is tight, apply first to deposit-friendly schools like UEL and Teesside—then layer on scholarships.
Need inspiration? Explore remote gigs paying ₦800 000+ 🔗 to build savings while you wait for CAS.
Please share: Know someone postponing UK dreams because of IELTS fear? Hit the share button and save them ₦210 000 today.