📄 How to Prove English Proficiency Without IELTS/TOEFL
Before we dive into the list, let's understand the alternatives that scholarship providers accept.
What is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Letter?
A Medium of Instruction letter is an official document from your university confirming that your previous degree was taught entirely in English. This is the most common alternative to IELTS/TOEFL.
What your MOI letter should say:
"This is to certify that [Full Name], holder of student number [ID], was a registered student in the [Programme name] programme at [University name] from [start year] to [end year]. The medium of instruction, examination and assessment for this programme is English. All coursework, examinations, dissertations and oral defences were conducted entirely in English."
Pro tip: Walk this template into your registrar's office. Most have never been asked for it in this format and will gladly use it.
Other Accepted Alternatives
🌍 The 50 Scholarships
🇩🇪 Germany
1. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
DAAD offers various funding options for international students in Germany. Many programs allow a scholarship without IELTS if you can prove your English proficiency through previous studies. Benefits include a monthly stipend (approximately €850 for graduates), travel allowance, and health insurance.
2. SBW Berlin Scholarship (Germany)
This needs-based award supports socially engaged international students studying in Berlin. It accepts proof of prior English-medium education instead of IELTS. Covers tuition fees and a monthly allowance for living costs.
3. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
These scholarships support international students at German universities. MOI letters are accepted for English-taught programs.
4. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships
Another German foundation scholarship accepting MOI letters in place of IELTS.
🇨🇳 China
5. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
The CSC is a fully funded program for international students. English-taught programs accept an MOI letter from African universities. Benefits include full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, and medical insurance.
6. Shanghai Government Scholarship (China)
This prestigious, fully funded opportunity supports international students in Shanghai. IELTS may be waived if your previous degree was taught entirely in English. Includes full tuition, on-campus accommodation, and a monthly living stipend.
7. ANSO Scholarship (China)
The Alliance of International Science Organizations supports postgraduate studies at top Chinese universities. This is a scholarship without GRE or IELTS, emphasizing research capabilities. Offers full tuition coverage, a comprehensive monthly allowance, and health insurance.
8. Tsinghua University Scholarships
Tsinghua accepts MOI letters and runs in-house English interviews for international applicants.
9. Peking University Scholarships
Similar to Tsinghua, Peking University accepts MOI letters for English-taught programs.
🇹🇷 Turkey
10. Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships)
This government scholarship attracts thousands of international students every year. It covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, health insurance, and flight ticket. Many applicants are assessed through interviews rather than IELTS scores. MOI letters are accepted for English-taught programs.
🇭🇺 Hungary
11. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
One of Europe's most generous scholarship programs, Stipendium Hungaricum covers tuition fees, monthly allowance, accommodation support, and medical insurance. Many participating universities accept MOI letters instead of IELTS.
🇰🇷 South Korea
12. KAIST University Scholarships (South Korea)
KAIST provides full funding for international students, particularly in science and engineering. This Korean government-supported award is often a scholarship without IELTS for students who have graduated from English-medium institutions. Includes full tuition waiver, generous monthly living stipend, and national health insurance.
13. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
GKS includes full tuition, living allowance, settlement grant, airfare, and Korean language training. Some universities accept alternative English proficiency documents.
14. Seoul National University Scholarships
SNU offers various scholarships with flexible English requirements for international students.
15. Yonsei University Scholarships
Another top Korean university with flexible language policies.
🇯🇵 Japan
16. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
The prestigious MEXT scholarship offers full tuition, monthly stipend, return airfare, and accommodation support. IELTS is not required if English proficiency is demonstrated through previous education.
🇸🇬 Singapore
17. Singapore Government Scholarship (SINGA)
SINGA covers full tuition fees, monthly stipend, establishment allowance, and airfare. Many Singaporean universities waive IELTS for applicants who complete prior education in English-medium institutions and can submit an MOI letter.
18. NUS Graduate Scholarship for ASEAN Nationals
Covers tuition fees and living allowance for ASEAN students (Undergraduate, Master's, PhD). Previous English-taught education qualifies you for a waiver.
19. NTU Research Scholarship (Singapore)
NTU offers full tuition fees, monthly stipend, and airfare. English requirements can be met through MOI letters or alternative tests.
20. SMU Global Impact Scholarship (Singapore)
SMU offers full tuition and living expenses. Accepts previous English-taught degrees and interviews as proof of proficiency.
🇳🇴 Norway
21. Norwegian Government Scholarships
Public universities in Norway are generally tuition-free, and many students qualify for scholarships without IELTS if their previous degree was in English.
🇪🇺 Europe (Multi-country)
22. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)
This prestigious European Commission program allows students to study in multiple European countries. Some programs waive IELTS if your previous degree was taught in English. It covers full tuition, a substantial monthly stipend (approx. €1,100 to €1,400), and travel costs. Important: Nigerian students are often exempt from IELTS if they provide a certificate of English proficiency from their university confirming their undergraduate studies were in English.
23. Italian Government Scholarships
Many Italian universities accept MOI certificates instead of IELTS. Includes tuition fee waivers, monthly allowances, and health insurance.
24. French Government Scholarships
Several French institutions accept proof of English-medium education for English-taught programs.
25. Polish NAWA Scholarships
MOI letters are accepted by most Polish universities.
26. Romanian Government Scholarship
Accepts MOI for English-taught programs.
27. Mexican Government AMEXCID Scholarships
Accepts MOI; Spanish prep year is provided.
🇷🇺 Russia
28. Russian Government Scholarship (Open Doors)
Accepts MOI; many programs also include a Russian prep year.
🇮🇳 India
29. ICCR Scholarships (India)
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations accepts MOI from Commonwealth African universities.
🇨🇦 Canada
30. University of Toronto Scholarships (Canada)
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto is a merit-based award for students with exceptional academic achievement. It can be a scholarship without IELTS for students with prior English-medium education. Covers full tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
31. University of British Columbia Scholarships
UBC accepts Duolingo and MOI letters for admissions and many scholarship programs.
32. McGill University Scholarships
McGill accepts alternative English proficiency proofs.
33. University of Waterloo Scholarships
Waterloo accepts Duolingo and other alternatives.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
34. University of Manchester Scholarships
Some Manchester scholarships accept MOI letters, though UKVI requirements may still need a SELT for visa.
35. University of Edinburgh Scholarships
Edinburgh accepts MOI letters for admissions purposes.
36. Queen Mary University of London
Accepts Duolingo and other alternatives.
🇦🇺 Australia
37. University of Melbourne Scholarships
Melbourne accepts Duolingo for admissions.
38. University of Tasmania English Package
Tasmania offers up to 20 weeks of free English Language programs for international students who need to meet English requirements before commencing degree studies.
39. ANU Scholarships (Australia)
ANU accepts Duolingo and other alternatives.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
40. Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
Some Malaysian universities accept MUET (Malaysian University English Test) or in-house English placement tests.
🇳🇬 Nigeria (Local Scholarships)
41. Pan Atlantic University Mastercard Scholarship
This fully funded undergraduate scholarship in Nigeria covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses, mentorship, and career development. No IELTS is required for this program.
42. Airtel Africa Scholarship
Airtel offers full scholarships to 100 undergraduate Nigerian students annually, covering study and living costs for 4-5 years. No IELTS required.
43. Murtala Muhammed Foundation Scholarship
Tailored for African women interested in STEM. It covers tuition, accommodation, living stipends, and annual paid internships. No IELTS required.
44. University of Nigeria Nsukka / London School of Hygiene Scholarship
A fully funded partnership program for MSc and PhD students. Monthly stipend, travel, mentorship, and professional networking are included. No IELTS required.
45. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Nigeria)
Various Nigerian universities partner with Mastercard Foundation for fully funded scholarships. These programs do not require IELTS.
🇧🇳 Brunei
46. University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship
This fully funded award is available without GRE for master's and PhD applicants. It simplifies the application process for those with strong academic backgrounds. Includes full tuition, annual personal allowance, and on-campus accommodation.
🇶🇦 Qatar
47. Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship (Qatar)
This competitive award offers full funding for master's and PhD students. It is a scholarship without IELTS for applicants who hold degrees from accredited English-medium institutions. Includes full tuition, monthly living allowance, and shared on-campus accommodation.
🇧🇷 Brazil
48. Brazilian Government Scholarships
Some Brazilian programs accept MOI letters for Portuguese-taught programs with language prep years.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
49. Czech Government Scholarships
Some programs accept MOI letters or alternative English proofs.
🇬🇷 Greece
50. Greek Government Scholarships
Selected programs accept MOI letters for English-taught courses.
📋 Summary Table: Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS
B = Bachelor's, M = Master's, PhD = Doctorate
⚠️ Important Disclaimers
Countries With Automatic Exemptions
Most UK, US, Canadian, and Australian universities automatically exempt applicants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia from English testing—provided your prior degree was taught in English.
Funders That Still Require IELTS
Be aware that some prestigious scholarships still require official IELTS or TOEFL scores. Do not waste time applying without one to these programs:
Chevening Scholarships — Requires IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Trinity ISE II, or Cambridge English: B2 First
Commonwealth Scholarships — Generally requires IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — Most require IELTS 6.5+ regardless of MOI
If an Application Gets Rejected for English Even With an MOI Letter
Three options work well:
Take the Duolingo English Test — Same week, $59, results in 48 hours.
Enroll in the university's pre-sessional English programme — Most run 6–12 week courses.
Take IELTS Indicator — Online, accepted by ~250 institutions as an interim score.
🛠️ How to Apply Step-by-Step
Research and Shortlist — Identify universities and specific scholarships that explicitly state they waive standardized tests.
Gather Alternative Proof — Prepare documents like a Medium of Instruction letter from your previous university.
Check Program Requirements — Confirm with the specific programme office in writing. Never assume every programme waives IELTS—requirements vary by university and course.
Request Your MOI Letter — Contact your department or registrar, pay the required fee, and ensure it's signed, dated, and stamped on official letterhead.
Prepare a Strong Application — Dedicate time to crafting an exceptional Statement of Purpose, securing impactful Letters of Recommendation, and compiling all academic transcripts.
Apply Early — Note down all deadlines for scholarship and university applications. Submit your applications well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Follow Up — After submitting, monitor your application portal and email for any requests for additional information or interview invitations.
💡 Quick Tips to Increase Your Chances
Apply to multiple scholarships instead of relying on one option.
Highlight leadership, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is an MOI letter accepted everywhere?
No. MOI letters are routinely accepted in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Türkiye, and most Asian destinations (China, Korea, Malaysia, India). The UK accepts them at some universities but not for Tier-4/Student visa English requirements. Always confirm with the specific university's admissions office in writing before relying on one.
Does Duolingo count as IELTS/TOEFL?
It's accepted by 5,000+ institutions including most US universities, many Canadian and UK universities, and a growing list in Europe. But scholarship bodies are stricter than universities—Chevening, Fulbright, and DAAD EPOS still require IELTS or TOEFL. Use Duolingo for admissions, not for the scholarship paperwork.
Which African countries are treated as "English-speaking" by default?
Most universities exempt applicants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.
Can I use a previous MOI letter addressed to another school?
Check with your new university. Some accept them, while others require a letter specifically addressed to them. If your institution charges per letter, ask if they can issue a generic version.
Does the MOI letter date matter?
Yes. Some universities prefer an MOI letter issued within 1-2 years of your application. If yours is older, request a fresh copy.
🎓 Conclusion
Your dream of studying abroad doesn't have to end because of a language test. These 50 scholarships prove that there are legitimate pathways to fully funded education without IELTS or TOEFL.
The key is simple: know your alternatives, prepare your documents early, and apply strategically.
Start with the questionnaire below to find scholarships that match your profile.
Your journey to studying abroad starts now.
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