For thousands of international students, 2026 will be the year they finally apply for fully funded scholarships abroad in China, Japan, Türkiye, Europe, the UK and beyond. But just when everything looks exciting, one obstacle often stops them in their tracks: expensive English language exams like IELTS, TOEFL and other English Proficiency Language (EPL) tests.
What many students still don’t realize is that there is a powerful, low-cost alternative already in their hands: the ELPC – English Language Proficiency Certificate, also widely known as the Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate or English Proficiency Letter. Used correctly, this simple document can help you apply for scholarships in 2026 without paying for IELTS or other costly exams—especially for Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC), some MEXT programs in Japan, Türkiye Scholarships, and many European university scholarships.
This guide explains exactly what an ELPC is, how it works, how to get it, when it is accepted, and how to use it strategically in 2026.
What Is an ELPC (English Language Proficiency Certificate)?
An ELPC (English Language Proficiency Certificate) is an official letter issued by your current or previous university confirming that:
- Your entire degree or program was taught in English, and
- You successfully completed that degree in an English-medium environment.
You may also see it called:
- Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate
- English Proficiency Letter
- Language of Instruction Certificate
Unlike IELTS or TOEFL, an ELPC is not a test. It is institutional proof that you:
- Attended lectures in English
- Completed assignments, presentations and exams in English
- Passed all required courses and graduated using English as your academic language
A standard ELPC usually contains:
- Your full name
- Your degree name (e.g., BS Computer Science, BBA, BA English, MSc Mathematics)
- The duration of your studies (e.g., September 2019 – June 2023)
- A clear statement such as: “The medium of instruction for this program was English.”
- University letterhead, date, official signature and stamp.
Once you have this certificate, you can upload it to scholarship and admission portals as proof of your English proficiency wherever it is accepted.
Why Scholarship Providers Care About English Proof?
Whether you are applying for Chinese Government Scholarships, Japanese MEXT, Türkiye Scholarships, Erasmus and other European scholarships, or even university-specific funding, the selection committee must be confident that you can:
- Understand lectures, textbooks and academic articles
- Write reports, essays, theses and research papers
- Present your work and participate in group discussions
Traditionally, they rely on standardized tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, etc.). But these tests:
- Cost 200–300 USD or more per attempt
- Require travel to test centers in many countries
- Take weeks of preparation, scheduling, and result processing
For scholarship applicants from low and middle-income countries, these costs are very high. That’s why more and more universities and scholarship programs accept ELPCs as an alternative in 2026—especially when the student has already completed a 3–4-year degree entirely in English.
How an ELPC Can Help You Avoid IELTS and Other Exams in 2026?
In 2026, the ELPC can play three major roles in your scholarship strategy:
1. Direct Replacement for IELTS/TOEFL (Where Officially Allowed)
Many universities and some scholarship schemes clearly state that applicants can submit an ELPC instead of IELTS/TOEFL if:
- Their previous degree was fully taught in English, and
- They can provide an official certificate confirming that.
In such cases, you can completely skip IELTS and similar tests. You:
- Save money
- Save time
- Avoid exam stress
This is common in many Chinese universities for English-taught programs, some Japanese graduate schools, Turkish universities, and a large number of European institutions.
2. Strong Alternative Evidence Where Tests Are “Preferred but Not Mandatory”
Some programs say: “IELTS/TOEFL preferred, but an official proof of English-medium education may be considered.”
Here, your ELPC becomes strong supporting evidence. Even if they don’t formally “promise” to accept it, many admissions offices and scholarship panels will waive the test requirement for good applicants who submit a clear ELPC, transcripts and strong academic records.
3. Supportive Document Alongside Internal or Embassy Tests
In cases like MEXT embassy-recommended scholarships or some national schemes, you might have to sit their own English test. Even there, an ELPC:
- Strengthens your profile
- Shows that you have been studying in English for years
- Can help when universities make final placement decisions
So, the ELPC does not always “magically replace all exams”, but it often reduces or eliminates the need for expensive international tests.
ELPC for Chinese Scholarships (CSC/University Scholarships) in 2026
China remains one of the most popular destinations for fully funded scholarships, especially under the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) and various university-level scholarships.
For English-taught programs, many Chinese universities explicitly state that:
- If your previous degree was taught entirely in English,
- And you can provide a Medium of Instruction / English Proficiency Certificate,
then you may apply without IELTS or TOEFL. This is particularly useful for:
- CSC University Program (Type B)
- High-Level Postgraduate Programs
- University President Scholarships
- Various provincial, ANSO, and city-level scholarships
However, always remember:
- For Chinese-taught programs, the main language requirement is HSK, not IELTS.
- Some universities and specific majors may still prefer or require IELTS/TOEFL despite accepting ELPCs elsewhere.
Strategy for 2026 CSC applicants:
For each university you target, carefully read the “Language Requirements” of the program. If it says MOI/ELPC is accepted, you can safely use your certificate and apply without IELTS.
ELPC for Japanese MEXT Scholarships in 2026
MEXT scholarships (both Embassy and University Recommended) cover Undergraduate, Masters, and PhD studies in Japan. Language requirements differ depending on whether the program is Japanese-taught or English-taught.
For English-taught graduate programs, many Japanese universities allow:
- IELTS/TOEFL scores, or
- An official certificate showing that your previous degree was taught in English
In those cases, an ELPC works very well as proof of English ability, especially for university-recommended MEXT programs. For Embassy-recommended MEXT, you may still have to:
-
Sit the English test at the embassy, regardless of your ELPC.
But even then, your ELPC supports your profile and reassures professors and universities that your academic background is already in English.
ELPC for Türkiye Scholarships and Turkish Universities in 2026
For Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları), the situation depends on:
- Whether your final program is Turkish-taught or English-taught, and
- The host university’s own rules.
In many cases:
- For Turkish-taught programs, the scholarship covers a year of Turkish language training, and IELTS is not central.
- For English-taught programs, some universities require IELTS/TOEFL, while others accept an ELPC/MOI, especially when you studied your previous degree in English.
In 2026, you can combine these facts smartly:
- At the scholarship application stage, you may often proceed without IELTS, especially if you are flexible about Turkish-taught programs.
- For English-medium degrees, use your ELPC as your main proof if the university’s admission rules allow it.
ELPC for European Scholarships and Universities in 2026
Across Europe, there is large diversity, but also wide acceptance of ELPCs/MOI:
Many universities in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and more accept:
-
- IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or
- Official proof of English-medium education (ELPC/MOI)
Government scholarships and schemes like DAAD, national excellence programs, and some Erasmus-related funding often rely heavily on the host university’s admission decision. If the university waives your test requirement based on ELPC, the scholarship body usually accepts that.
Be careful with Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s and some very competitive programs, as they may insist on formal test scores due to consortium-wide rules.
How to Get an ELPC from Your University?: Step-by-Step
If you plan to apply for scholarships in 2026, you should arrange your ELPC as early as possible. Here’s how.
Step 1: Find the Right Office
At most universities, the ELPC/MOI is issued by:
- Controller/Department of Examinations
- Registrar / Academic Affairs
- Student Records office
- Sometimes the Head of Department for smaller institutions
Check your university website or ask in the admin office:
“Which office issues Medium of Instruction / English Proficiency Certificates?”
Step 2: Submit a Clear Request
You can send an email or written application such as:
Subject: Request for English Language Proficiency / Medium of Instruction Certificate
Dear [Registrar/Controller/Head of Department],
I, [Your Full Name], student ID [Your ID], completed the [Degree Name] program at [University Name] during [Start Year – End Year].
I am applying for international scholarships and graduate programs for the 2026 intake, which require official confirmation that the medium of instruction of my degree was English.
I kindly request the issuance of an official English Language Proficiency / Medium of Instruction Certificate, stating that my degree program was taught entirely in English. I would be grateful if the certificate could be printed on university letterhead and include an official signature and stamp.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Department]
[Contact Number]
[Email Address]
Step 3: Check the Content
When you receive the certificate, make sure it contains:
- Your name exactly as on your passport
- Your degree title
- Study period (from–to)
- A clear sentence confirming English-medium instruction
- Signature and stamp on official letterhead
If anything is missing or unclear, politely request a corrected version.
Step 4: Scan and Save
- Scan the document into a clear PDF.
- Keep some original hard copies.
- Store the PDF in a dedicated “Scholarships 2026 – Documents” folder for easy uploading.
Using ELPC in Your Scholarship Applications in 2026
Once you have your ELPC, you should use it strategically in all your applications.
On Online Portals (CSC, MEXT, Türkiye, Universities, Europe)
Most portals will have a section like:
- “English Proficiency Test”
- “Language Certificates”
- “Uploads – Other Documents”
Here you should:
- Upload your ELPC PDF under English Proficiency / Other Proof.
- If a test score section forces you to type something, you can write:
- “Medium of Instruction Certificate attached – previous degree fully in English.”
- If there is a comment box, add a short note:
- “I completed my Bachelor’s degree entirely in English. Please see my attached English Language Proficiency / Medium of Instruction Certificate issued by my university.”
In Your CV
Under Education, write:
BSc Mechanical Engineering, [University Name], [Country]
Medium of Instruction: English
This reminds selection committees that your entire academic background is already English-based.
In Your Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Motivation Letter
Insert one line:
“My four-year Bachelor’s degree was taught entirely in English, as confirmed by the attached English Language Proficiency Certificate from my university.”
This line reinforces your ELPC and shows you understand the importance of language for academic success.
Advantages and Limitations of ELPC for 2026 Applicants
Key Advantages
- Huge cost reduction: You avoid or reduce expensive IELTS/TOEFL fees.
- Time savings: No need to wait for test dates and results; you can apply earlier in the 2026 intake.
- Lower stress: No exam pressure; your degree itself is your proof.
- More applications: You can apply to more scholarships and universities worldwide using the same ELPC.
- Accessibility: Ideal if there is no test center near you or travel is difficult or unsafe.
Realistic Limitations
- Not all programs accept it: Some scholarships and universities will still insist on IELTS/TOEFL regardless of MOI.
- Visa requirements are separate: Even if your university and scholarship accept ELPC, the embassy may require a standardized test for your student visa.
- Quality matters: If your ELPC is not on letterhead, lacks a stamp, or is vague, it may be rejected.
- Recency of degree: Some institutions accept MOI only if your English-medium degree was completed within the last 3–5 years.
The smart 2026 strategy is to:
- Use ELPC wherever it is officially accepted.
- Reserve IELTS/TOEFL only for those top-priority programs or countries where it is absolutely mandatory, rather than paying for multiple tests blindly.
Sample ELPC Template You Can Suggest to Your University
You can show this English Language Proficiency template for scholarship application in 2026 session to your university (they may adapt it to their format):
[UNIVERSITY NAME]
[Registrar / Examination Department]English Language Proficiency / Medium of Instruction Certificate
This is to certify that [Student’s Full Name], student ID [ID Number], has successfully completed the [Name of Degree Program] at [University Name] during the period [Start Date] – [End Date].
We hereby confirm that the medium of instruction for the above-mentioned program was English. All lectures, classroom discussions, assignments, examinations, and official academic communications were conducted in English.
In view of this, [Student’s Name] has demonstrated an adequate command of the English language to pursue further academic studies in English.
Date: [Date]
[Name of Authorized Official]
[Designation – Registrar / Controller of Examinations]
[Official Stamp/Seal]
Final Thoughts: Turn Your Degree into Your Language Proof in 2026
The year 2026 will bring thousands of fully funded scholarship opportunities across China, Japan, Türkiye, Europe and beyond. Many of them will ask for “proof of English proficiency.” That does not always mean you must pay for IELTS, TOEFL or other EPL exams.
If you have already completed a degree fully in English, your university can transform that achievement into a powerful document: the ELPC – English Language Proficiency Certificate.
Used wisely, your ELPC can:
- Help you apply to major scholarships like CSC, certain MEXT programs, Türkiye Scholarships and European university schemes
- Reduce or eliminate the need for costly standardized tests
- Allow you to submit more applications, earlier, and with less financial pressure
For any serious international scholarship applicant in 2026, obtaining an ELPC should be one of the first steps in your application strategy.