You have a degree taught in English, a strong CGPA and a scholarship shortlist, but one line in the requirements stops you: "proof of English proficiency." Before you pay for any test, find out whether you need one at all. Many Nigerian, Ghanaian and Kenyan applicants pay for a test that their target university would have waived.
This guide explains how English requirements work for UK and European master's programmes, how to check for a waiver, and how to avoid wasting money or missing a deadline. I don't state specific scores, fees or waiver rules for any university here, because they change and differ by programme. Your job is to confirm them on the official page.
Why the rules differ so much
There is no single European or UK rule. Three separate bodies can each set an English requirement:
- The university or department. It sets the academic requirement, and different programmes in one university can ask for different things.
- The scholarship provider. Some scholarships add their own language condition on top of admission.
- The visa authority. For some countries, the immigration side has its own rules about how English is evidenced.
Satisfying one does not automatically satisfy the others. A waiver from the admissions office may not cover the scholarship, and you should ask about this early.
The common ways to prove English
| Option | What it is | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | Widely accepted test with reading, writing, listening and speaking parts | Does the university want a specific version? Are minimum scores per section required? |
| TOEFL iBT | Computer-based test, common for European and US applications | Is the "MyBest" score accepted? Is the institution's code needed to send scores? |
| Pearson PTE Academic | Computer-based, quick results | Not accepted everywhere; confirm it is listed |
| Cambridge C1/C2 certificates | Exams that are often accepted in Europe | Check the validity period and the exact certificate name |
| University's own test | Some institutions run internal tests | Often only for applicants already offered a place |
| Waiver / exemption | No test needed if you meet set conditions | Documents required, and whether the scholarship accepts it |
How waivers usually work
Universities commonly allow an exemption in certain situations. These are the typical categories to look for on the admissions page, but whether yours applies is the university's decision:
- Previous degree taught in English. Some universities accept a letter from your former university confirming the language of instruction. Others only accept it from certain countries, and not every African country is on those lists. Read the list carefully.
- Nationality. Some institutions waive tests for nationals of listed majority-English-speaking countries. Check whether Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or South Africa is listed. Do not assume.
- Recent study abroad in English. A degree completed in an English-speaking country may count.
- Work experience. Rare, but a few programmes consider it.
Also note that many test results expire after a set period, so an old IELTS result may not count. Check the validity window against your intake date.
Step-by-step: find out what you need
- Open the programme page, not the general university page. Look under "Admission requirements" or "Language requirements" for your exact course.
- Write down the accepted tests, minimum overall score and any section minimums. Keep a note of the page address and the date you read it.
- Find the waiver wording. Search the page for "exemption", "waiver", "medium of instruction" or "English-taught degree".
- Request a medium-of-instruction letter early. If a waiver may apply, ask your university registry or department now. Nigerian university offices can be slow, so allow several weeks. Our guide on a 12-month scholarship application timeline shows where this task fits.
- Email admissions if the page is unclear. Ask one precise question (see the template below) and keep the reply.
- Check the scholarship page separately. Confirm that it accepts the same evidence.
- Only then book a test, working back from the application deadline.
A short email you can send
Dear Admissions Team, I am applying for the MSc in [programme] for [intake]. My bachelor's degree from [university, country] was taught entirely in English. Could you confirm whether a medium-of-instruction letter from my university would satisfy your English requirement, or whether I need a test? Could you also confirm whether this is accepted for [scholarship name]? Thank you, [Name, application number]
Keep it short. A clear yes-or-no question gets a clearer answer than a long story.
A worked example (hypothetical)
Ada, a Lagos graduate, is applying to two master's programmes with a deadline in January. Programme A is in the UK, and Programme B is in Sweden. Say she reads both pages in October.
- Programme A accepts a medium-of-instruction letter for degrees taught in English, but only if it is dated within a stated period. She requests the letter in late October.
- Programme B does not list a waiver for Nigerian applicants, so she needs a test. She books a test slot for early December, leaving time for a retake if needed.
Result: she pays for one test instead of two, and she has a buffer. If she had booked a test in October for both, she might have spent money on Programme A that she did not need. These details are invented to show the process, not to describe real rules.
Budgeting for tests
Tests are priced in dollars or equivalent, so naira changes can hurt. I won't quote fees here because they change and vary by country, so check the test provider's official page for your location. Budget also for transport to a test centre, possible overnight stay, score-sending fees for extra institutions and a possible retake. If cost is a barrier, read how to ask for a test support letter and fee help.
Power and data also matter for computer-based and home-based formats. If a home option is offered and accepted by your target institution, plan for backup power and a stable connection. If it is not accepted, don't book it.
Common mistakes
- Booking first, checking later. This is the costliest error.
- Missing section minimums. An overall score that looks fine can still fail if writing is below the required level.
- Using an expired result. Check the date.
- Assuming a waiver covers the scholarship. Ask both offices.
- Trusting agents' claims. Anyone offering a "guaranteed score" or a bought certificate is selling fraud. A fake result can lead to rejection, cancellation of an offer or visa refusal. See how to spot fake scholarship agents.
- Leaving the medium-of-instruction letter late. It depends on a registry you don't control.
If you need a test, how to prepare sensibly
- Take an official practice test first to see your starting level in each section.
- Focus on your weakest section; for many applicants that is speaking or timed writing.
- Practise under exam timing, with the same keyboard or pen format you'll face.
- Book a date that leaves room for one retake before the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is my degree being in English enough?
Sometimes, but not always. It depends on the university and programme, and some only accept it from listed countries. Check the programme page and ask admissions.
Can I apply before I have a test result?
Some institutions allow a conditional offer, with the result due later. Others want it at submission. The programme page or an email will settle it.
Does a waiver help with my visa?
Not necessarily. Immigration rules are separate. Check the official visa authority's page, and see our study visa checklist.
Do scholarships like Gates Cambridge have their own rules?
Scholarship programmes are linked to a university's admission process, and requirements sit on the official pages. For Gates Cambridge, start at gatescambridge.org/apply and the University of Cambridge course page, and confirm language requirements there.
Your next step today
Open the language requirements for your top three programmes and put them in one table: accepted tests, minimum scores, waiver rules, and validity. Then send one email to any admissions office whose page is unclear.
Sources
Details checked against the official sources above on 23 October 2026. Things change, so confirm on the official site before you act.
Scholarship details, deadlines and eligibility can change. Always confirm on the official website before applying, and never pay anyone who promises to "guarantee" a scholarship.