University in-house English tests
Quick answer: Some universities accept their own English exam in place of IELTS or TOEFL. Examples include Istinye University’s ISTEP-IS (65 out of 100 exempts you from the preparatory year), Bilkent’s PAE, GISMA’s free test and the University of Manchester’s pre-sessional course with internal assessment and no IELTS. Students who do not pass are usually placed in an English preparatory year.
An “in-house English certificate” simply means a language exam or course run by the university itself. It suits applicants with no time to prepare for IELTS, or whose score falls slightly short. Not every university offers it, and the conditions vary widely, so the examples below are taken from official websites.
How five universities handle it
| University | Exam / route | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Istinye University (Istanbul) | ISTEP-IS | Stage 1: online Cambridge placement test (35 out of 50 to continue). Stage 2: essay (25 points) and paired speaking (25 points). Overall 65/100 (B2) exempts you from the preparatory school. |
| Bilkent University (Ankara) | PAE — Proficiency in Academic English | Students without IELTS 6.5 (5.5 per section) or TOEFL iBT 87 take a two-stage exam on arrival; those who fail join the preparatory programme (usually 1 year, at most 2). |
| GISMA (Germany) | Free internal English test | Offered as an alternative to IELTS 6.0 (B2). |
| University of Manchester (UK) | Pre-sessional English | 2–10 week courses for offer holders; assessment is internal, and “you will not take an IELTS test”. |
| Constructor University (Germany) | English Foundation Year | No separate internal exam found; a one-year programme starting from A2 prepares students for the bachelor’s. |
Source: istinye.edu.tr, bilkent.edu.tr, gisma.com, manchester.ac.uk, constructor.university — checked 11/2026.
Three common models
- Test on arrival (the Turkish model): most English-taught Turkish universities test international students after they arrive; those who pass start the degree, the rest spend a year in preparatory school. At Istinye, a student placed in the preparatory programme cannot resit ISTEP-IS and must complete the year. Because admission does not hinge on a certificate, this works well for school leavers without IELTS — see the Istinye University example.
- Online test at application (private universities): GISMA, for instance, offers its own test free of charge, saving the IELTS fee and waiting time — but the result only counts for that university.
- Pre-sessional course (the British model): applicants just below the required IELTS score get a conditional offer and a short course before term; completing it satisfies the language condition.
IELTS or the university’s own exam?
| Criterion | IELTS | In-house exam |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | IELTS Academic in Baku: 575 AZN | Often free (e.g. GISMA) or part of admission |
| Results | Computer-delivered: 1–5 days | Depends on the university |
| Validity | Many countries and universities | That university only |
| Visa and State Programme | Usually accepted | Usually not accepted |
| If you fail | You resit | You join a preparatory year |
Source: ielts.org, ielts.org — checked 11/2026.
The trade-off is real: a preparatory year turns a four-year bachelor’s into five, with extra tuition and living costs, while the State Programme demands a C1-level international certificate that no internal test can replace. If you are targeting several countries or the State Programme, prepare for an international exam instead (studying with a language certificate); EDDE Academy runs IELTS courses.
Frequently asked questions
What score do I need on ISTEP-IS?
An overall 65 out of 100 (B2), having first scored 35 out of 50 in stage one to move on.
Does a university’s own exam replace IELTS?
Only for admission to that university; other universities and visa authorities generally do not accept the result.
How should I prepare for an internal exam?
Learn the format from the university’s website. ISTEP-IS, for example, covers reading, listening, grammar, vocabulary, an essay and speaking, which is very close to IELTS preparation.
What happens if I fail?
You normally enter a one-year English preparatory programme; at Bilkent it lasts 1 year as standard and 2 years at most.
Plan it with us
Let EDDE Global check which of your target universities offer an internal exam or preparatory year. Book a free consultation.