Last updated: 10 October 2026 · Fees change; always confirm on the official booking page before you pay
Nigeria and Ghana are English-speaking countries, and most of us studied in English from primary school to university. So why do universities abroad still ask for IELTS or TOEFL? And when can you skip the test and save hundreds of thousands of naira or thousands of cedis?
This guide answers both questions in plain language. You will see the current official test fees in Nigeria and Ghana, which tests are accepted where, which universities accept your WAEC/WASSCE English or your English-taught degree instead, which ones take the cheaper Duolingo English Test, and a sample letter to request proof that your degree was taught in English.
In this guide
Why you may still need a test
Each university and each country sets its own rules. Some accept that Nigerians and Ghanaians studied in English; others want a recent, standard test result from everyone outside a short list of countries. For the UK in particular, Nigeria and Ghana are not on the government’s list of “majority English-speaking countries” for student visas (GOV.UK). That list includes countries like the USA, Canada, Jamaica and Ireland, but not any West African country.
So the honest answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the university, the course and the scholarship. Check before you book.
Test fees in Nigeria and Ghana (2026)
| Test | Nigeria (official) | Ghana (official) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | ₦299,000 (about GH₵2,650) | GH₵3,720 (about ₦419,400) | For university admission. British Council and IDP Nigeria list the same naira fee. |
| IELTS for UKVI (Academic) | ₦315,500 (about GH₵2,800) | GH₵4,000 (about ₦451,000) | Only needed for some UK visa routes, such as courses below degree level. |
| TOEFL iBT | ₦220,000 through ETS authorised agents (about GH₵1,950) | Check the ETS fee page and select Ghana | Fee includes up to 4 score reports; extra reports cost US$29 (about ₦38,600 / GH₵341). |
| Duolingo English Test | Check the official site | Check the official site | Taken online at home in about 1 hour; results in about 2 days; send to up to 40 institutions. |
| PTE Academic | Check Pearson for local price | Check Pearson for local price | About 2 hours; results typically in 2 days; scores can be sent free to as many institutions as you need. |
Save money: British Council Nigeria is running a promotion that saves ₦25,000 on IELTS for Nigerian residents aged 18+, for the first 50 bookings each week, valid from 14 July to 31 December 2026. Check the page for the current code and conditions before booking.
Ghana TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE prices were not shown in local currency on the official pages we checked, so we have not guessed them. Exchange rates: about ₦113 to GH₵1, and ₦1,332 / GH₵11.75 to US$1 (9 October 2026).
IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo vs PTE
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo | PTE Academic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where you take it | Test centre | Test centre | Online, at home | Test centre |
| Length | About 2 hours 45 minutes | Under 2 hours (ETS Nigeria page) | About 1 hour | About 2 hours |
| Results | A few days to two weeks | About a week | About 2 days | Typically 2 days |
| Validity | Usually 2 years for admissions | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Accepted by | Almost all universities and UK visas (UKVI version) | Most universities, especially in the USA | Many UK, US and Canadian universities, but not all | Many UK and Australian universities |
Most universities and scholarships accept results that are at most two years old. Edinburgh, for example, says tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month your programme starts. So do not write the test too early.
The UK visa rule most people miss
For a UK Student visa at degree level or above, your university can assess your English itself, as long as you reach level B2 (GOV.UK). This is why many UK universities can accept your WAEC English or your English-taught Nigerian or Ghanaian degree instead of IELTS. If the university accepts your English, it states this on your CAS (the confirmation it gives you for the visa).
Applying for a course below degree level, such as a foundation programme? Then you usually need a Secure English Language Test such as IELTS for UKVI. A degree taught in English outside the listed countries can also be accepted through an assessment from Ecctis (the UK ENIC service).
When you can skip the test: real university rules
| University | What it accepts instead of a test (official) |
|---|---|
| University of Manchester | A high score in WAEC English, taken within the last seven years; usually B3 or B2 depending on the course. Postgraduate applicants can be waived if their degree was taught entirely in English. |
| University of Leeds | For postgraduate study, WASSCE English at grade C6 (equivalent to IELTS 6.5). A Nigerian master’s (1 year) or undergraduate degree (2+ years) taught in English means no further test. |
| Newcastle University | WAEC/NECO only if your degree was taught and assessed in English and finished more than three years before you start. Grade C6 = IELTS 6.0, C5 = 6.5, C4 = 7.0, B2 = 7.5. A scratch card is needed for verification. |
| University of Nottingham | Degrees from recognised universities in Nigeria and Ghana can meet the English requirement (no WAEC route for postgraduate study). |
| University of Bath | Nigerian and Ghanaian nationals may be exempt with at least 12 months of English-medium degree study in their country, awarded within the last 5 years, with official confirmation that English was the medium of instruction. |
| University of Toronto (graduate) | Nigeria and Ghana are on its degree-exemption list, though some applicants may be asked for proof. |
| UC Berkeley (graduate) | Nigeria and Ghana are listed as countries where TOEFL/IELTS is not required. |
| Cornell (graduate) | Ghana and Nigeria are listed under English-official-language exemptions. |
De Auditor’s tip
Never assume anything when it comes to this. Two universities in the same city can have opposite rules. Open the English language page for your exact course, find the section for Nigeria or Ghana, and screenshot it with the date. If it is not clear, email admissions, keep their reply and work with it.
Who accepts Duolingo (and who does not)
The Duolingo English Test is popular because you take it at home in about an hour. But many universities still refuse it, so check first.
- Accepted (examples): University of Bath (120 overall, with subscores of 110 and 105 for listening, for tests from 1 July 2024); Newcastle University (125 overall, no subskill below 100); University of Plymouth (postgraduate: 120 overall, 105 in each component).
- Not accepted (examples): UC Berkeley graduate admissions, Cornell graduate school, Yale’s graduate school, and the University of Glasgow (on the course page we checked). The University of Toronto’s graduate list does not include Duolingo.
What major scholarships ask for
- DAAD EPOS (Germany): IELTS or TOEFL at the level each course sets. The institutional TOEFL is not accepted.
- Erasmus Mundus: each programme decides. For example, Europubhealth+ does not list Nigeria or Ghana as exempt, while IHE Delft (GroundwatCH and FloodRisk) exempts applicants from Nigeria and Ghana whose bachelor’s was taught in English.
- Fulbright: Nigerian PhD applicants must meet a TOEFL score of 90; in Ghana, finalists take the tests later and the US Department of State pays.
- Chevening and Commonwealth: you must meet the English requirement of the UK university that admits you.
Sample request for an English-medium letter
Many waivers need an official letter from your university confirming that English was the language of instruction (often called an MOI or English proficiency letter). Here is a sample request you can adapt and send to your university registry or academic office:
Subject: Request for a letter confirming English as the medium of instruction
Dear Sir/Madam,
I graduated from the Department of Economics in 2022 with a BSc (matriculation number: [number]). I am applying for a master’s degree in the United Kingdom, and the university asks for an official letter confirming that my degree was taught and assessed entirely in English.
I would be grateful if the University could issue a letter on official letterhead, signed and stamped, stating my full name, matriculation number, programme, dates of study, and that English was the medium of instruction and assessment throughout.
I have attached a copy of my certificate and the receipt for the processing fee [if any]. Please let me know if anything else is required.
Yours faithfully,
[Full name]
[Phone and email]
Fictional teaching example. Your university may have its own form or fee; follow its process.
How to decide in 5 steps
- List your universities and scholarships.
- Open each English language page and note: test needed, waiver allowed, accepted tests and minimum scores.
- Check the scholarship’s own rule (for example, DAAD and Fulbright Nigeria require tests).
- If one important option needs a test, book one test that all your options accept, usually IELTS Academic.
- Book at least two months before your first deadline, leaving time for a retake.
De Auditor’s note
James Christian Unya, founder of Scholarship Auditor
Make I talk true and fact: plenty people don waste money write IELTS wey dem no even need, while others no write am and miss deadline because dem assume say “we be English-speaking country”. Both mistakes dey pain.
Do your homework first. Some UK schools go accept your WAEC English or your degree, some no go. That’s why you need to calm down and read everything wey we dey bring to you, make you take get yourself informed and equipped. But if your dream school or scholarship need test, no dull yourself; book am early, prepare well, and write am once with your full chest, follow our guide step by step and you go dey well prepared, that’s why we took our time to put these guides together!
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Related guides: How to write a statement of purpose · Academic CV for scholarship applications · Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 · Scholarship calendar 2026–2027
Frequently asked questions
How much is IELTS in Nigeria in 2026?
IELTS Academic costs ₦299,000 and IELTS for UKVI Academic costs ₦315,500 on the official booking pages we checked (British Council Abuja and IDP Nigeria). Always confirm the current fee before you pay.
How much is IELTS in Ghana?
At British Council Accra, IELTS Academic costs GH₵3,720 and IELTS for UKVI Academic costs GH₵4,000, according to the official test centre page.
Do Nigerians need IELTS for UK universities?
Not always. For degree-level study, UK universities can assess your English themselves. Many accept WAEC English (for example Leeds accepts C6 for postgraduate study) or an English-taught degree. Check your university’s Nigeria page.
Is Nigeria an English-speaking country for UK visas?
No. Nigeria and Ghana are not on the UK government’s list of majority English-speaking countries, so you either meet your university’s assessment or take an approved test.
Do US universities accept Duolingo?
Some do and some do not. For example, UC Berkeley and Cornell graduate schools do not accept Duolingo, but Berkeley does not require TOEFL/IELTS from Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants.
How long is an IELTS or TOEFL result valid?
Usually two years. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date, and many universities require tests taken within two years of your start date.
Sources and verification
Fees and rules were checked on 10 October 2026 on official pages: IELTS, British Council Abuja, IDP Nigeria, IELTS, British Council Accra, ETS TOEFL Nigeria, TOEFL iBT Bulletin, Duolingo English Test help centre, Pearson PTE, GOV.UK, and the official pages of the universities named above. Prices change; confirm on the booking page before you pay.
Next, read our guides to the DAAD EPOS scholarship and the Fulbright scholarship for Nigerians and Ghanaians.
Yes, It is me. I’m the De Auditor
James, known as the De Auditor, is the founder and editor of Scholarship Auditor and the Founder and Group CEO of De Auditor Group Ltd, based in Benin City, Nigeria. He checks every scholarship against the provider’s official website before it is published, and corrects posts when providers change their rules. Contact: info@scholarshipauditor.com