English Exam Entry Requirements: When Can It Be Waived for Business School?
When applying for an English-taught business school program and English isn’t your first language, you will likely need to prove your proficiency in the language as an entry requirement. This is sometimes done through an English exam, such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
When taking the test as an entry requirement, you’ll usually need to get at least a minimum score in order to be accepted into certain programs. This helps ensure your level of English language proficiency is suitable for an academic environment.
However, there are other ways you can prove your proficiency in English, meaning there are usually opportunities to get this requirement waived! This depends on the university and is sometimes even considered on a case-by-case basis.
Waiving Requirements for English Exams
A growing number of institutions have been waiving English exam requirements for business school admissions. This has been happening increasingly since the COVID-19 pandemic when test centers were closed.
Many universities have started accepting other evidence to prove English proficiency. There are often still specific rules for waiving the requirement to take an English exam, so it’s important you understand all of the details for the specific university you’re applying to.
But here are six of the most common ways to get the English exam requirement waived from business school entry requirements to give you an idea of what is often taken into consideration!
1. Having citizenship from an English-speaking country
One of the main waiving requirements is if you have citizenship from a country that is considered majority native-English speaking. This includes the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and many others.
2. Previously studied in English
If you are completing or have completed a degree-level course or secondary education in English, the requirement of taking an English exam can often be waived. There are usually specific requirements to meet the waiving criteria, including the course being of a certain length and completed relatively recently. Typically, schools require you to have completed either a minimum of three years or the entirety of your previous program in English (i.e: your whole Bachelor's Degree).
3. Worked in an English-speaking environment
Another way to potentially get the English exam requirement waived is if you can show evidence on your resume that you have work experience in an English-speaking environment. Many universities are looking for at least two or three years of experience.
4. Taken a Pre-Master's or ESL course
There are a number of alternative qualifications accepted as proof of proficiency in English for business school admissions. Certain Pre-Master’s and ESL courses are sometimes an accepted waiving requirement for English exams.
5. Undertaking an in-house English test or interview
Some universities also offer an in-house English test or interview to be undertaken after admissions. Getting the English exam requirement waived is sometimes considered on a case-by-case basis to assess whether the student has sufficient evidence demonstrating their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.
6. Using Unify
At Unify, we can often help prospective business school students to get English exam requirements waived! Contact us for more information on this.
You can also sign up for Unify to check entry requirements for the business schools you’re interested in applying to. We make it easy for you to know whether you need to take an English exam and which ones are accepted by the institutions you’re interested in.
Get in touch with our team of career coaches and college counselors for tips and hands-on support throughout the entire admissions process. And if you aren’t eligible for your English exam requirement to be waived, we can provide a free personalized study plan to help you effectively prepare for the exam.