List of International Scholarships Without IELTS in 2027 Accepting English Language Proficiency or MOI Certificate
If your previous degree was taught entirely in English, you may not need to take IELTS before applying for several international scholarships in 2027. An official Medium of Instruction letter, commonly called an MOI, or an English Language Proficiency Certificate from your university may be accepted instead.
But you must identify who controls the English-language decision. Some international fully-funded scholarships directly recognize an MOI letter, some leave the decision to the admitting university, and others assess English through an interview or internal examination.
Use the following lists to find the route that matches your circumstances.
Scholarships Where MOI May Directly Replace IELTS in 2027
These international scholarships without IELTS requirement should be your priority if your university can certify that your previous qualification was taught and examined entirely in English.
| Scholarship | Study Level | MOI/English Certificate Decision | 2027 Application Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia International Scholarship—MIS | Master’s and PhD | Accepted: official rules allow a university letter confirming English-medium study | Next window expected in spring 2027 |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD | Accepted conditionally: previous studies completed in the programme’s language may satisfy the requirement | Expected to open around November 2026 |
| Chinese Government Scholarship—CSC | Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD | Accepted by selected universities: always check the particular university | Most applications run from November 2026 to April 2027 |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Master’s | Accepted by selected consortia: other programmes demand a recognized test | Most deadlines fall between October 2026 and January 2027 |
| Selected DAAD Scholarships | Master’s, PhD and research | Programme-specific: some accept MOI or a DAAD language certificate | Deadlines vary, commonly between August and December 2026 |
| Türkiye Scholarships | Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD | University-specific: MOI may work where the English-taught programme permits it | Usually 10 January–20 February |
| Italian University Merit Scholarships | Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD | Accepted at selected universities: admission rules control the exemption | Depends on the university and intake |
| Italian Regional DSU Scholarships | Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD | Indirectly accepted: if the university admits you using MOI, DSU normally does not impose a separate IELTS test | Most regional calls open during summer |
The Malaysia International Scholarship offers the clearest MOI pathway. Its published guidance permits an IELTS or TOEFL result or an official declaration from the previous institution confirming that English was the medium of instruction.
For CSC, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD and Italian scholarships, never transfer an exemption from one university to another. A university accepting MOI for engineering may still require IELTS for law, medicine or another programme.
Scholarships That Do Not Require IELTS—but the University May
You can submit the scholarship application without IELTS for the following awards. However, you must later satisfy the English-language conditions of the university offering admission.
| Scholarship | Who Can Apply? | English-Language Position | Current Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | Eligible-country applicants seeking a one-year UK master’s | Chevening requires no IELTS; your chosen UK university decides whether MOI is acceptable | 6 October 2026 |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | Eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth-country applicants | The CSC does not require IELTS; the admitting UK university can still impose an English condition | 20 October 2026 |
| Commonwealth PhD Scholarships | Applicants from eligible least-developed and vulnerable Commonwealth countries | No separate CSC IELTS requirement; university admission conditions remain applicable | 20 October 2026 |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Non-UK citizens applying for an eligible Cambridge postgraduate degree | Gates Cambridge requires no separate English score; Cambridge must approve any exemption | 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on course |
The Chevening English-language requirement was removed in 2020. Nevertheless, you must secure an unconditional offer from one of your three selected universities. If that institution rejects your MOI, you must provide one of its accepted tests.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission expressly states that it does not require applicants to take IELTS. This does not prevent a UK university from setting its own admission conditions.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship also has no independent English-test requirement. Your final position depends on whether the University of Cambridge grants you an exemption based on your academic history.
International Scholarships Offering a Different IELTS-Free Route
These scholarships may allow you to proceed without IELTS, but an MOI letter is not necessarily the document that replaces it.
| Scholarship | Study Level | How English May Be Assessed | Application Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Doors Russian Scholarship | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral | Competition conducted in English or Russian; the admitting university later verifies language proficiency | Open; registration closes 1 November 2026 |
| MEXT Scholarship | Undergraduate, specialized training, Master’s, PhD and research | Embassy examinations, interviews and university screening may be used instead of IELTS | Embassy route generally opens around April–May |
| Global Korea Scholarship—GKS | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Language scores can be optional, preferred or university-specific; interviews may form part of selection | Graduate calls usually open around February–March |
The Open Doors rules do not require IELTS to enter the competition. Winners must, however, demonstrate proficiency in their selected language of instruction when enrolling at a Russian university.
MEXT and GKS should therefore be described as scholarships where IELTS is not universally compulsory, rather than scholarships guaranteeing acceptance of every MOI certificate.
Is Fulbright Available Without IELTS?
Fulbright is not a dependable MOI-only scholarship and should not be presented as one.
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program recommends recognized English-test scores, while requirements and deadlines differ between national Fulbright commissions. Some applicants may apply before testing or receive programme-specific instructions, but you should expect TOEFL, IELTS or another approved assessment unless your country’s Fulbright office confirms an exemption.
What Funding Can These Scholarships Provide?
Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, Stipendium Hungaricum, CSC, Türkiye Scholarships, MEXT and GKS can provide extensive or fully funded packages covering tuition and living expenses, with travel, insurance or settlement support available under particular schemes.
Open Doors primarily awards tuition-free study, while Erasmus Mundus scholarships can cover participation costs, travel and living support. MIS covers tuition and currently provides a living allowance. DAAD, Italian university and DSU funding varies by award, institution and applicant category.
How Should You Apply Using an MOI Letter?
Follow this sequence:
- Select the scholarship, university and exact degree programme.
- Read the programme’s official English-language requirements.
- Look for “Medium of Instruction,” “previous studies in English” or “institutional language certificate.”
- Email admissions if the policy does not clearly cover your qualification or country.
- Request written confirmation that your MOI will satisfy the requirement.
- Obtain a fresh copy of MOI or English language proficiency certificate from registrar office of your last attended university or college.
- Upload the certificate under the correct language-document category.
- Keep an approved English test as a backup until your admission becomes unconditional.
Your certificate should state that your entire degree was taught and examined in English. It should include your name, degree, study dates, institutional contact details, authorized signature, issue date and official university stamp.
The safest scholarship is not simply one advertised as “without IELTS.” It is one where the scholarship provider or admitting university has confirmed—in writing—that your particular MOI or English Language Proficiency Certificate will be accepted.