If im from south africa and my English is poor but i achieved my grades above 60% will i still have a chance to study abroad?

Question

V Gupta · Accepted Answer

Having over 60% and weak English doesn&rsquo;t block you &mdash; but it does mean proving language ability clearly. That&rsquo;s what tests are for.
&bull; Most universities ask for IELTS 6.5+, but schools like University of Portsmouth (UK) or Seneca College (Canada) may accept 6.0 or offer English support. &bull; In TOEFL iBT, aim for 80+, with at least 18 in each section. &bull; If that&rsquo;s tough, foundation programs in the UK, Canada, or Australia include English training. &bull; Some Dutch or German public universities offer English-taught degrees with more flexibility &mdash; especially if your motivation letter is strong. &bull; South African applicants educated in English may qualify for waivers &mdash; check each university&rsquo;s exemption rules. &bull; Using platforms like FutureLearn, or reaching out to consultants at MentR-Me, can help improve your prep and shortlist the right-fit schools.
It&rsquo;s not about perfect English ,  just clear proof that you&rsquo;re ready to learn in it.

Mansi Jain · Answer

Hi Samkelisiwe,Studying abroad is a dream for many students, and even if your English isn&rsquo;t perfect yet, that dream is still within reach. If you&rsquo;re from South Africa and have achieved grades above 60%, you already have a solid academic foundation. Most universities offer various ways to help you succeed.&rarr; Take an English language test like IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo to meet the language requirements.&rarr; Apply for a foundation or pathway program that helps you improve your English and academic skills before starting your degree.&rarr; Look for universities with flexible entry requirements.&rarr; Strengthen other parts of your application, such as motivation letters and recommendation letters.&rarr; Show your commitment to improving your English.Honestly, don&rsquo;t stress too much about your English - what matters is your determination and the steps you&rsquo;re willing to take. But figuring everything out on your own, from choosing the right program to meeting language requirements, can feel overwhelming. Expert guidance of a study abroad expert can help you in shortlisting universities and preparing for language tests to navigating applications and visa processes.

Aarushi S · Answer

Yes, studying abroad is still possible with 60%+ grades and limited English, but you&rsquo;ll need to show that your English can handle academic demands. Most universities ask for proof through exams like IELTS or TOEFL. Aim for at least a 6.5 overall in IELTS (no band below 6.0) or 80+ in TOEFL iBT, as these are common minimums.
However, some South African students may be exempt from English tests if their previous education was entirely in English &mdash; it depends on the university and country. Still, confirming this with each school is important.
Your grades may qualify for admission in countries like the UK, Ireland, or Canada, especially for schools that value potential over just marks. Many also offer pre-sessional English programs for students who meet academic criteria but need to improve English before joining the main course.

If i'm from south africa and my English is poor but i achieved my grades above 60% will i still have a chance to study abroad?