US Universities That Accept WAEC English Instead of IELTS/TOEFL

If you are a West African student dreaming of studying in the United States, and you are worried about meeting the English language requirements, like IELTS or TOEFL.

However, the good news is that many US universities accept WAEC English results (usually with a minimum grade of C6) as proof of your English proficiency.

This mostly applies and is beneficial to students from countries where English is the official language, like Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.

What is WAEC?

WAEC stands for the West African Examinations Council, the body that conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

It is the final exam that students in Anglophone West Africa take at the end of secondary school. A good WAEC English grade can help you meet U.S. university English requirements!

Here Are Some U.S. Universities That Accept WAEC English:

This list highlights some of the US University that accepts WAEC English as proof of  English proficiency and their application fees to guide you in making your choice.

1.  Howard University:

Howard University accepts WAEC English results from students in Nigeria and other West African countries, according to Free-Apply.com.

Specifically, they look for a minimum of 5 credit passes in SSCE/GCE, NECO/WAEC (O’level), or NABTEB, including English. For undergraduate programs, the Howard application fee is $45 is required for international applicants

2. University of Toledo:

The University of Toledo accepts WAEC English results for application. The English results are considered proof of English Language proficiency and processed for admission along with other transcripts.

The University of Toledo requires a $75 application fee for international students. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid before the application is processed.

3. University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB):

UAB accepts WAEC English as a valid proof of English language proficiency. However, to have a high chance of acceptance, you must have a high score as specific requirements may vary depending on the program, according to the official website.

To process your application, you will need to pay $90, the university for international students and $75 for U.S. applicants.

4. Miami University (Ohio):

You can apply with your WAEC certificate and proof of English proficiency. According to their website, you have a high chance if English is the official language of your country.

Though they do not require SATs, they encourage you to take them if you want to increase your chances of getting a scholarship. The application fee for undergraduate programs is $70 for the application to be processed.

5. Truman State University:

This university accepts certified copies of your WAEC result (do not send the original). While WAEC is accepted, they also suggest submitting additional English proficiency scores like TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, or ACT.

The good thing is that there is no application fee for undergraduates.

6. Georgia State University(GSU)

GSU is very international-student friendly. You can apply with your WASSCE results and official transcripts from your secondary school.

According to Georgia State University Admissions, you must submit your scratch card information, including the examination number, year, type (school or private), card serial number, and PIN. The application fee required is $60 before the application can be processed.

7. Western Illinois University(WIU):

PWIU waives the English language requirement if you have a passing grade (C6 or better) in WAEC English.

However, the WIU admission board mandates that non-native English speaking applicants provide satisfactory English proficiency scores on standardized tests like TOEFL, IELTS, in addition to your WAEC documents.

For their undergraduate programs, international applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $50 application fee to process their application.

8. University of Central Missouri(UCM):

WAEC English is accepted from students in West African countries, as they offer waivers of English proficiency requirements for students from countries where English is an official language, including Nigeria.

However, UCM requires a high score in the WAEC English exam, with a minimum grade of B3 or B2, depending on the specific program. All international students are required to pay the non-refundable fee of $75 for the application to be processed

9. Missouri State University:

According to the Missouri State University website, their English proficiency requires that applicants who have completed full-time secondary or postsecondary study in the U.S. or a country where English is the primary language can be accepted.

Therefore, making WAEC English acceptable. An application fee of $40 is required before the application can be processed.

10. Kent State University(KSU):

Kent State University considers high WAEC English scores as evidence of English proficiency for international undergraduate students, especially a B3 or B2 grade in WAEC English, depending on the specific course requirements.

According to the university’s website, the card with complete information must be uploaded for verification.
For international applicants, a fee of $70 is required before the application can be processed.

Even though many universities in the United States sk for IELTS or TOEFL scores, there are ways to get around this requirement if you meet certain conditions. 

How you can study in the US without IELTS

• English-Speaking Country Exemption: If you are from a country where your official language is English, getting admission to universities in the United States will be easy.
• Introductory Language Programs: Some universities in the United States offer their own Intensive English Language Programs (IELP) to help students meet the language requirement.
• Letter from Previous Institution: For master’s programs, a letter from your university stating that your course was taught in English can also help. This would help replace your IELTS score.
• English Preparatory or Summer Programs: You can also take some online or summer programs from US-accredited schools to improve your English before starting your main course.

Source: ScholarshipRegion