Scholarships Without IELTS: How to Prove Your English Another Way

"Do I need IELTS?" is one of the most common questions we get. IELTS costs a lot of money, test centres can be far away, and many students from English-speaking countries feel they shouldn't have to prove their English at all.

The honest answer: sometimes you don't. Many universities and scholarships accept other proof of English. But "without IELTS" rarely means "without any proof". This guide explains your options, which ones work where, and how to check before you apply.

First: who decides?

There are usually two separate requirements:

1. The scholarship's language rules
2. The university's admission rules

Even if a scholarship doesn't mention IELTS, the university you study at may still require it. Always check the admission requirements of your exact programme, not just the scholarship page.

Option 1: An English-medium instruction letter (MOI)

An MOI letter (also called "medium of instruction" or "English proficiency letter") is an official letter from your university saying your degree was taught and examined in English.

Many universities and some scholarships accept an MOI letter instead of IELTS, especially for students whose previous degree was taught in English, as in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon (English-speaking), Zambia, Pakistan and others.

How to get one:

1. Go to your university's Registry, Academic Affairs or Exams and Records office.
2. Ask for a letter stating that "the medium of instruction for [your degree] was English".
3. Make sure it's on official letterhead, signed, stamped and dated.
4. Some universities send it directly to the institution you're applying to. Check what's required.

Important: not every university accepts MOI letters. Some only accept them from certain countries. Check the "English language requirements" page of each university.

Option 2: Exemption for English-speaking countries

Some universities and scholarships automatically exempt applicants from countries where English is an official language, or whose degree was taught in English.

For example, Yeungnam University's PSPS master's scholarship in South Korea exempts applicants from countries where English is the official language, or whose degree was taught in English, from submitting a test score.

Look for phrases like:

• "Applicants from majority English-speaking countries are exempt"
• "Applicants whose previous degree was taught in English"
• "English language waiver"

Policies differ widely. A country that one university accepts may not be on another university's list, so read the exact wording.

Option 3: Cheaper alternative tests

If you must take a test, IELTS isn't your only choice. Many universities now accept:

• Duolingo English Test (DET): taken online from home in about an hour, usually costing much less than IELTS. Accepted by many universities in the US, Canada, UK and elsewhere. For example, Florida State University accepts a Duolingo score of 125 for undergraduate admission.
• TOEFL iBT, including the at-home version
• PTE Academic
• Cambridge English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)

Check which tests your university accepts before you book anything.

Option 4: Scholarships where language skills aren't tested at application

Some scholarships don't require an English test to apply at all, often because you study in another language or take a language course first:

• Türkiye Burslari (Turkey): applicants can apply without an English test. Most programmes are taught in Turkish, and scholars take a one-year Turkish language course.
• Slovak Government Scholarships: degrees are taught in Slovak, with a free 10-month Slovak language year.
• Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea): includes a year of Korean language training. English or Korean test scores can strengthen your application.
• Some Chinese Government Scholarships: requirements depend on the university and whether you study in English or Chinese.

Learning a new language is a real commitment. Only choose these if you're ready to study in that language.

Option 5: Your secondary school English results

For undergraduate applications, some universities accept strong English grades from WAEC, NECO, KCSE or similar exams as proof of English. The grade required varies, so check each university's list of accepted qualifications.

How to check any scholarship in five minutes

1. Open the official scholarship page (not a blog).
2. Search the page (Ctrl+F or "Find in page") for "English", "language", "IELTS" and "waiver".
3. Open the university's admission requirements for your exact programme and search again.
4. If it's still unclear, email the admissions office: "My degree was taught in English in [country]. Can I submit an MOI letter instead of IELTS?"
5. Keep their reply. It's useful evidence if questions come up later.

Watch out for these traps

• Blogs that promise "no IELTS needed" for every country. Requirements change and differ by country. Check the official page.
• Visa requirements. Even if a university waives IELTS, a few countries' visa offices may still ask for proof of English. Check the embassy's rules too.
• Agents selling "IELTS waivers". Real waivers come from the university, not from a paid agent.
• Fake certificates. Never buy test results or MOI letters. Universities verify them, and it can get you banned.

The bottom line

You can often avoid IELTS, but you can rarely avoid proving your English. Get an MOI letter from your university now. It's free or cheap and useful for many applications. Then check each programme's exact rules, and use a cheaper test like Duolingo if you need one.

Ready to apply? Browse all opportunities, or read how to write a strong motivation letter and spot a scholarship scam.