Duolingo English Test (DET) — taken from home
The Duolingo English Test is taken online from a laptop with a webcam — no test centre, no travel. It costs far less than IELTS/TOEFL (around US$65), results come back in about 2 days, and a growing list of universities accept it. For students in Gaza or with restricted movement, this is usually the single most practical option.
Fee waivers and refugee/displaced-student programs
IELTS and TOEFL are expensive, but fee reductions and vouchers exist — the Duolingo English Test regularly offers free test vouchers, and several NGOs and university sanctuary/at-risk schemes cover or reimburse test costs for refugee and displaced students. If a scholarship is worth applying to, ask the provider directly whether they sponsor the test.
MOI — Medium of Instruction letters
If you studied (or are studying) in English, many universities will waive the English test entirely in exchange for a Medium of Instruction letter from your school or university confirming English was the language of instruction. This is one of the fastest ways to remove the requirement — no exam at all.
Conditional offers — apply now, prove English later
Plenty of programs make a conditional offer: they admit you now and let you submit the English score (or take a pre-sessional English course) before you enrol. You do not need the test in hand to start applying — a strong academic profile can secure the offer first.
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