Scholarships Without IELTS: Verified Options & Alternatives

Yes, international students can get fully funded scholarships without IELTS. Programmes such as Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships do not require an IELTS certificate for the scholarship application. Other opportunities may accept TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English qualifications, or evidence that your previous degree was taught in English. However, a scholarship without IELTS does not always mean admission without an English-language test. Universities may have separate requirements, and some accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate only under specific conditions.

This guide compares scholarship programmes using official requirements, explains accepted IELTS alternatives and English proficiency waivers, and shows you how to verify whether you can apply without IELTS before preparing your documents or paying for a language test.

What does a scholarship without IELTS actually mean?

The phrase “scholarships without IELTS” can describe several different situations. Understanding the difference is essential because each has different consequences for admission.

Situation	What it means
IELTS not required by the scholarship	You can submit the scholarship application without an IELTS score, but the university may require one.
Another English test accepted	You may submit an approved TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, or other qualification instead.
Medium of Instruction (MOI) accepted	Your previous university confirms that your degree was taught in English, and the receiving institution accepts that evidence.
English-language exemption	You meet a published exemption condition, often related to previous education or nationality.
Conditional admission	The university may offer a place while requiring English-language evidence before a specified deadline.
University-administered assessment	An institution may assess your English through its own approved procedure instead of requiring IELTS.

These arrangements are not interchangeable.

An applicant who does not need IELTS for the scholarship application may still need TOEFL for university admission. Similarly, an applicant whose previous degree was taught in English may not qualify for a waiver unless the receiving university recognizes that qualification.

The most useful question is therefore not simply “Does this scholarship require IELTS?” It is:

Can I meet every English-language requirement for this scholarship, degree programme, and visa using the evidence I already have?

Verified scholarships where IELTS may not be mandatory

Several major international scholarship programmes allow applicants to use alternatives to IELTS or do not impose a separate IELTS requirement at the scholarship application stage.

The comparison below distinguishes confirmed scholarship policies from university-specific conditions. It should not be interpreted as a list of programmes that guarantee admission without an English-language test.

Scholarship programme	Country / study level	Official IELTS position and alternatives	University-level conditions	Official source
Commonwealth Scholarships	UK; eligible postgraduate programmes	IELTS is not required for the CSC scholarship application. No English certificate is required by CSC at that stage.	The UK university may require IELTS or another approved form of English evidence.	CSC FAQs
Chevening Scholarships	UK; taught master’s	Chevening removed its own English-language requirement in 2020.	Applicants must obtain an unconditional offer from an eligible university course and satisfy its language conditions.	Chevening FAQs
DAAD Study Scholarships	Germany; master’s and selected postgraduate study	IELTS is not the only accepted test. Depending on the award, DAAD accepts alternatives including TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge and Duolingo.	Proof of proficiency in the teaching language is required. The university may demand a specific test.	DAAD requirements
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters	Multiple countries; master’s	No single IELTS rule applies across all Erasmus Mundus programmes.	Each consortium publishes its own English-language requirements and exemptions.	Erasmus+ official guide
MEXT Scholarships	Japan; undergraduate, research and other categories	For the embassy-recommended research route, an IELTS certificate is not a universal mandatory document. Applicants undergo language examinations.	English or Japanese proficiency must be sufficient for the intended study. University-recommended routes have separate conditions.	MEXT official guide
Türkiye Scholarships	Türkiye; bachelor’s, master’s, PhD	International language test results are required when specified by the selected university or programme.	English-taught courses may require an accepted certificate; Turkish-language requirements also apply.	Türkiye Scholarships application rules
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	USA; master’s, doctoral and research opportunities	IELTS is not the only recognized test. Official programme guidance also references TOEFL.	Requirements vary by country programme and receiving university. English proficiency remains important.	Fulbright application guidance
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)	South Korea; undergraduate and graduate routes	English-language evidence and its role depend on the scholarship route and university. TOEFL and IELTS are identified in official application guidance.	Korean- or English-language requirements can differ by department.	Study in Korea
University of Oxford graduate funding	UK; master’s and DPhil	Eligible graduate applicants may request a waiver of English-language test scores based on qualifying education or experience.	Waiver approval is discretionary and does not itself establish scholarship eligibility.	Oxford waiver policy

The strongest confirmed examples for applying to a scholarship without an IELTS certificate are Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships. DAAD offers a different route: applicants generally need language evidence, but several alternatives to IELTS may be accepted. Applicants must check the exact DAAD award and their chosen university’s language requirements.

Our Chevening Scholarship application guide explains the award’s eligibility and university offer conditions. The 2027–28 application deadline has passed, but applicants can use the guide to prepare for a future cycle, subject to updated official rules.

For MEXT, the 2027 embassy-recommended research scholarship guidelines list language proficiency certificates as applicable only when applicants have them. This does not remove the English and Japanese examinations or the need to demonstrate suitable language ability.

The Chinese Government Scholarship is another programme worth investigating, but its language rules must be checked for the specific application route and receiving university. Applicants should not assume that every English-taught Chinese university programme accepts an MOI certificate or waives standardized tests.

The same caution applies to individual Erasmus Mundus programmes. Their language policies cannot be generalized from the Erasmus+ scholarship framework.

For broader information on identifying and comparing funding opportunities, see our guide to finding fully funded scholarships abroad.

Which English-language tests can replace IELTS?

IELTS is one way of demonstrating academic English proficiency, but it is not the only option.

Universities may accept other recognized assessments, provided applicants meet the required scores, test formats and validity periods.

TOEFL iBT

The Test of English as a Foreign Language is widely used for international university admissions.

Many English-taught master’s and PhD programmes accept TOEFL iBT as an alternative to IELTS Academic.

Applicants should check whether the institution accepts the specific TOEFL format they intend to take, including any restrictions on home-based testing.

PTE Academic

Pearson Test of English Academic is accepted by various universities and scholarship programmes.

DAAD’s official study scholarship information, for example, includes PTE Academic among possible English-language certificates. However, the German university may have a narrower list of accepted qualifications.

Cambridge English qualifications

Some institutions accept Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.

These qualifications may be useful for applicants who already possess a valid certificate, but minimum grades and recognition policies differ.

Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test may be accepted by selected institutions and scholarship providers.

For example, DAAD lists Duolingo among possible certificates for its Study Scholarships for master’s programmes. That does not mean every DAAD-funded university accepts it for admission.

Applicants must also check whether the test meets any separate immigration requirements.

Medium-of-instruction evidence and other assessments

Some universities accept an official statement confirming that a previous degree was taught in English. Others offer their own English assessments or allow eligible applicants to request a formal test waiver.

Germany’s university application service, uni-assist, identifies university-issued written confirmation of English-medium education as a possible form of language evidence, while emphasizing that individual universities decide what they accept. uni-assist

The safest approach is to compare accepted qualifications for your exact degree programme before registering for a test.

Can you apply with a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate?

A Medium of Instruction certificate is an official document confirming the language used to teach a student’s previous academic programme.

For example, someone who completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering entirely in English may request a certificate from their university stating that English was the language of teaching and assessment.

An MOI certificate is useful when the receiving university recognizes previous English-medium education as evidence of proficiency.

It is not a universal replacement for IELTS.

If your previous degree was taught in English, use our free IELTS/TOEFL Waiver Eligibility Finder to review possible waiver conditions before checking your chosen university’s official policy.

What should an MOI certificate contain?

A typical certificate may include:

• Student’s full name and degree title.
• Name of the awarding university.
• Study dates or academic years.
• Confirmation that English was the language of instruction.
• Confirmation of the language of examinations and assessment, where applicable.
• Date of issue, authorized signature and institutional verification details.

The exact wording should reflect the student’s actual education records.

Illustrative MOI certificate format

Certificate of Medium of Instruction

This is to certify that [Student’s Full Name] completed the [Degree Title] at [University Name] during [Study Period].

The medium of instruction and assessment for this degree programme was English throughout the period of study.

This certificate is issued upon the student’s request for educational application purposes.

Date of Issue: [Date]

Authorized Signatory: [Name and Designation]

[Official University Stamp or Verification Details]

Applicants should not prepare this certificate themselves and present it as an institutional document. It must be issued or authenticated by the university.

How to obtain an MOI certificate

Contact your university’s registrar, examinations office, academic records office or student administration department.

Request an official statement confirming the language of instruction and, if necessary, the language of assessment.

Before requesting the document, check whether the receiving university specifies particular wording or requires confirmation that the entire degree was taught and assessed in English.

If your transcript or degree certificate already identifies English as the teaching language, some institutions may accept that evidence instead.

When is an MOI certificate insufficient?

An MOI certificate may be insufficient when the receiving university:

• Requires an approved standardized test regardless of previous study.
• Recognizes English-medium education only from specified countries or institutions.
• Requires evidence that the previous degree was completed within a particular period.
• Does not recognize the applicant’s qualification for an exemption.
• Requires a different document for immigration purposes.

For instance, Oxford permits certain applicants to request an English-language test waiver based on a qualifying full-time degree taught and assessed entirely in English. The university imposes additional conditions concerning the degree’s duration and recency, and approval remains at the academic department’s discretion.

This is why obtaining an MOI certificate should be followed by checking whether the receiving institution will actually accept it.

Scholarship requirements vs university admission requirements

One of the most common problems with IELTS-free scholarship advice is the failure to distinguish scholarship eligibility from admission eligibility.

A scholarship provider and an admitting university can apply different English-language rules.

Consider a student applying for Chevening.

The student can submit a Chevening scholarship application without IELTS because Chevening no longer has its own English-language requirement.

However, the student must still secure an unconditional offer from an eligible UK university course.

If that university requires an English test and does not approve an exemption, the student must satisfy the university’s requirement before the relevant deadline.

Chevening also states that applicants cannot use a pre-sessional course to fulfil their university’s English-language requirement for the award.

The same principle applies to Commonwealth Scholarships. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission explicitly advises applicants to check language requirements directly with their universities.

What about student visa requirements?

Language requirements can also arise during immigration processing.

For the UK Student visa, applicants studying at degree level generally need English proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2.

A higher education provider with the appropriate status may assess an applicant’s English proficiency itself, rather than requiring a particular standardized test. Other applicants may need approved evidence under immigration rules.

A degree taught in English outside the UK may also be relevant, but the applicable immigration route can require an Ecctis assessment rather than accepting an MOI letter alone.

Visa rules vary by country and immigration category. A language waiver granted by a university should therefore not be assumed to satisfy every immigration requirement.

How to verify scholarships without IELTS before applying

Rather than relying on a scholarship list, use the following process for each programme.

If you have not yet identified suitable funding programmes, start with our guide to finding fully funded scholarships abroad, then return here to check the English-language requirements.

1. Identify the exact scholarship route. A programme may have different rules for master’s, PhD, embassy-nominated or university-nominated applicants.

2. Read the scholarship’s official application instructions. Look for sections titled “Language Requirements,” “Required Documents,” “Eligibility” or “Application FAQs.”

3. Check the admitting university’s graduate admissions page. Determine which English tests and exemptions are accepted.

4. Open the specific degree programme page. Departmental requirements may be stricter than general university guidance.

5. Verify your proposed alternative. Check whether MOI, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo or a formal waiver is accepted and whether scores must meet individual section thresholds.

6. Check the evidence deadline and immigration requirements. Establish whether language documents are required at application, offer acceptance, enrolment or visa processing.

7. Ask the admissions office when the published rules are unclear. Provide your previous degree, country of study, teaching language and available evidence, and request confirmation in writing.

For applicants considering lower-cost study routes alongside scholarships, our guide to studying abroad for free explains the separate issue of tuition fees and study costs.

Practical examples: Applying for scholarships without IELTS

The following scenarios are illustrative. They show how applicants can evaluate language requirements, not actual admission decisions.

Example 1: A bachelor’s graduate with an English-medium degree

A student from Pakistan has completed a four-year engineering degree taught and assessed entirely in English. The student wants to apply for a funded master’s programme in Germany but has not taken IELTS.

The student should first check whether the chosen DAAD scholarship accepts an alternative language document. Next, they should check the university’s admission requirements.

If the university accepts evidence of previous English-medium education, an official MOI certificate may be sufficient. If the university requires TOEFL or IELTS, the student must meet that condition despite having studied in English.

If you are interested in latest bachelor scholarships, you may explore the latest fully funded scholarships for bachelor study abroad.

Example 2: A master’s applicant with TOEFL but no IELTS

An applicant from Indonesia wants to pursue an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master and already has a TOEFL iBT result.

The applicant should check the consortium’s official admissions page for the accepted TOEFL format, minimum score, section-level requirements and validity period.

If TOEFL is accepted and the applicant meets the required scores, IELTS may be unnecessary. However, acceptance by one Erasmus Mundus consortium does not establish acceptance by another.

For example, the IMSOGLO Erasmus Mundus Joint Master accepts an official English Language of Instruction certificate only when the applicant’s previous higher education degree was obtained in one of the countries listed in its admission requirements. Applicants educated outside that list must provide an accepted English-language test, even if their degree was taught entirely in English.

This demonstrates why an MOI certificate may work for one Erasmus Mundus programme but not another. Applicants should check the specific consortium’s exemption list before relying on previous English-medium education.

Applicants may explore the latest Master Scholarships 2027 worldwide.

Example 3: A PhD applicant seeking university funding

A researcher from India wants to apply for a funded DPhil at the University of Oxford.

Their previous master’s degree was completed entirely in English.

Oxford allows applicants who meet specified previous-education conditions to request an English-language test waiver. The researcher should review the eligibility conditions, provide the required evidence and submit the waiver request through the appropriate application procedure.

The academic department decides whether to approve the waiver. The applicant must also meet the doctoral programme’s academic requirements and the conditions of any funding competition.

Interested applicants can visit Careers Help Desk and explore the fully funded scholarships and Funded PhD Positions Abroad.

A funded PhD example: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

The Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS) supports eligible international PhD students at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

English-language requirements depend on the admitting school. For example, NTU’s National Institute of Education allows applicants who completed their bachelor’s or master’s degree entirely in English to apply without TOEFL or IELTS scores. Their academic transcript must confirm English as the medium of instruction, or they must provide an official statement from their previous university.

Other NTU departments may apply different language requirements. An applicant should therefore verify the intended school’s exemption policy before relying on an MOI certificate.

The scholarship is awarded through university nomination, and meeting the English-language requirements does not guarantee admission or funding.

Applicants considering a funded doctorate in Singapore can review our Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship guide, including NTU’s department-specific English-language requirements.”

Example 4: A scholarship applicant who still needs English evidence

A student from Bangladesh applies for a Commonwealth Scholarship without submitting an English-language certificate.

This is permitted under the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s published scholarship application policy.

However, the receiving university subsequently requires proof of English proficiency.

The applicant must determine whether the university accepts previous English-medium education, an alternative test or another approved assessment.

The absence of an IELTS requirement at the scholarship stage does not remove this university admission condition.

Can international students request an English proficiency waiver?

Yes. Some universities allow eligible international applicants to request a waiver of standardized English-language test requirements.

However, waiver eligibility depends on the admitting institution’s published policy.

Common arrangements include previous-education exemptions, nationality or residency-based exemptions, and formal discretionary waivers.

Previous education: An institution may recognize a degree completed entirely in English, sometimes subject to restrictions on the country, institution, duration or date of study.

Nationality or residency: Certain universities or immigration systems exempt applicants meeting specified nationality, residency or educational-background criteria. These rules are not identical across institutions.

Formal waiver: An applicant may be required to submit a waiver request with supporting documents. The university then decides whether the applicant qualifies.

Oxford provides a useful example. Its graduate admissions policy allows certain applicants to request a waiver based on qualifying English-medium education or substantial professional experience. Approval is not automatic.

Applicants should not interpret the statement “English was the medium of instruction” as proof that a waiver has already been granted.

What if your English proficiency waiver is rejected?

If the university does not accept your previous English-medium education, check which alternative qualifications it recognizes. You may be able to submit TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English or another approved test instead of IELTS.

Ask the admissions office whether you can provide the required result after receiving a conditional offer, and confirm the final deadline. If the university requires standardized English evidence before reviewing applications, an MOI certificate will not replace that requirement.

Do not assume that an exemption approved by another university will also be accepted here.

Careers Help Desk practical perspective: Check three requirements

Before deciding that a scholarship is suitable without IELTS, examine three separate requirements.

1. Scholarship provider

Does the funding programme require an English certificate when you apply?

2. University and department

Does your chosen degree accept the English-language evidence you can provide?

3. Immigration authority

Does the applicable student visa route require a particular test, assessment or recognized exemption?

A scholarship is a realistic option without IELTS only when you can satisfy all applicable requirements through accepted evidence.

It is also important to check when each document must be provided. Some universities permit applicants to submit language evidence after receiving a conditional offer. Others require it with the initial application.

A late English certificate can prevent enrolment even when the applicant has already received a scholarship offer.

Common mistakes when applying without IELTS

The most frequent mistake is assuming that “IELTS not required” means “no English proficiency required.”

Other avoidable errors include relying on outdated scholarship lists, assuming every university accepts MOI certificates, and overlooking different requirements between a scholarship provider and an admitting university.

Applicants also sometimes register for Duolingo, PTE or TOEFL without confirming whether their chosen programme accepts that particular test.

Another mistake is waiting until after receiving a scholarship offer to investigate visa-related English requirements.

Finally, applicants should be cautious about websites promising guaranteed admission or scholarship selection without IELTS. An English-language exemption only addresses one part of the application. It does not establish academic eligibility, funding entitlement or admission.

Final checklist before applying for a scholarship without IELTS

Application verification checklist

• I have checked the official scholarship language requirements.
• I have reviewed the admitting university’s English-language policy.
• I have checked my specific degree programme’s requirements.
• I know whether my MOI certificate or alternative test is accepted.
• I have checked score thresholds, validity periods and submission deadlines.
• I have verified any formal waiver procedure.
• I have checked applicable student visa language requirements.
• I have obtained written clarification where official policies are unclear.

Conclusion

Fully funded scholarships without IELTS are possible, but the exact meaning of “without IELTS” matters.

Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships provide clear examples of scholarship applications that do not require IELTS. Other programmes may accept alternative tests or offer exemptions under specific conditions.

Before applying, confirm the requirements of the scholarship provider, admitting university and relevant immigration authority. If you have an English-medium degree, obtain appropriate documentation and check whether the university recognizes it.

The objective is not simply to avoid taking IELTS. It is to establish that your existing qualifications or an accepted alternative can satisfy every language requirement needed to begin your studies.

If language eligibility is only one part of your decision, our guide to studying abroad for free explains tuition-free universities, funded degree routes and the costs applicants still need to consider.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships without IELTS

1. Can I get a fully funded scholarship without IELTS?

Yes. Some fully funded scholarships allow applicants to apply without an IELTS certificate. Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are confirmed examples at the scholarship application stage. However, the admitting university may still require English-language evidence.

2. Which scholarships do not require IELTS?

Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships do not impose a separate IELTS requirement for their scholarship applications. Other programmes, including DAAD, MEXT, Erasmus Mundus and Türkiye Scholarships, may offer routes where IELTS is not mandatory, but their conditions differ. Applicants must check the exact award, degree programme and admission route.

3. Can I study abroad with an MOI certificate?

Yes, if the receiving university accepts previous English-medium education as sufficient evidence. Germany’s uni-assist recognizes university-issued confirmation of English-medium study as a possible form of evidence, but individual universities determine whether it meets their requirements.

4. Is IELTS compulsory for Erasmus Mundus scholarships?

There is no single IELTS requirement covering every Erasmus Mundus Joint Master. Each participating consortium publishes its own admission conditions, including English-language requirements. Applicants should check the official website of their selected master’s programme.

5. Can I apply for DAAD scholarships without IELTS?

Yes, for certain DAAD programmes, applicants may submit accepted alternatives such as TOEFL, Cambridge English, PTE Academic or Duolingo. However, proof of proficiency in the programme’s teaching language is generally required, and the university may specify its own accepted tests.

6. Does the Commonwealth Scholarship require IELTS?

No. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission states that IELTS or another English-language certificate is not necessary for the CSC scholarship application. Nevertheless, the receiving UK university may require English proficiency evidence before admission.

7. Can I study abroad without IELTS or TOEFL?

Yes, depending on the institution and programme. Some universities accept MOI certificates, other recognized English tests, qualifying previous education or university-administered assessments. Programmes taught in languages other than English may require proficiency in the relevant teaching language instead.

8. Does an English proficiency waiver guarantee university admission?

No. An approved waiver only removes or modifies a particular English-language evidence requirement. Applicants must still satisfy the university’s academic, programme-specific and other admission conditions. A waiver also does not guarantee scholarship funding.

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