Scholarships Without IELTS: How to Apply and Get Accepted

Published July 7, 2026 · 15 min read

One of the most common barriers to studying abroad is the IELTS requirement. Many students believe that without a high IELTS score, international scholarships are out of reach. This is simply not true. Numerous prestigious scholarships and universities accept students without IELTS scores, using alternative methods to assess English proficiency.

This guide identifies scholarships that do not require IELTS, explains alternative ways to prove your English ability, and shows you how to strengthen your application even without a standardised test score.

Why Some Scholarships Do Not Require IELTS

Many universities and scholarship programmes have moved away from requiring standardised English tests because research shows they are not the best predictor of academic success. Instead, they use alternative assessments such as:

Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from your previous university confirming your degree was taught in English
Duolingo English Test (DET) — a cheaper, faster alternative. See our Duolingo guide
Internal English proficiency tests administered by the university
Previous education in an English-speaking country
TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English as alternatives. See our TOEFL guide

Scholarships That Do Not Require IELTS

Chevening Scholarship (UK)

The Chevening Scholarship does not have a universal IELTS requirement. While individual universities may require proof of English proficiency, Chevening itself accepts alternative evidence including Medium of Instruction letters and previous education in English.

DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

The DAAD Scholarship for development-related programmes accepts a Medium of Instruction letter in place of IELTS. For English-taught programmes, some universities accept the TOEFL or internal assessments instead.

MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

The MEXT Scholarship does not require IELTS. Japanese universities often conduct their own English assessments as part of the admissions process.

University-Specific Waivers

Many universities in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany waive the IELTS requirement if you can demonstrate that your previous degree was taught entirely in English. This typically requires a letter from your university's registrar.

How to Get an English Proficiency Waiver

Follow these steps to study abroad without IELTS:

Step 1: Contact your previous university's registrar and request a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter confirming that your degree was taught and examined in English.
Step 2: Check each target university's English proficiency policy. Many list their waiver criteria on their admissions page.
Step 3: Email the admissions office directly if the policy is unclear. Ask specifically what alternative evidence they accept.
Step 4: Consider taking the Duolingo English Test as a cheaper, faster alternative. It costs approximately $50 compared to $250+ for IELTS, and can be taken from home.
Step 5: In your SOP or application, address your English proficiency proactively. Mention your MOI, any English-medium education, and your comfort with academic English.

Countries Where IELTS Is Often Not Required

Germany: Many universities accept MOI letters or internal tests. See Study in Germany.
Italy: Several universities waive IELTS for English-taught programmes with MOI proof. See Study in Italy.
China: Chinese Government Scholarships typically do not require IELTS.
Turkey: Turkiye Burslari scholarship conducts its own assessment.
South Korea: Many Korean universities accept TOPIK scores or internal tests. See Study in South Korea.
Canada: Some Canadian universities accept MOI letters. See Study in Canada.

Tips for Strengthening Your Application Without IELTS

Score well on alternative tests like Duolingo or TOEFL if available
Highlight any publications or presentations in English
Mention any work experience in English-speaking environments
Include English-language certifications or courses in your CV
Demonstrate strong English writing in your SOP and essays
If possible, attend an English-language summer school or preparatory programme

Scholarships Without IELTS Checklist

Have I researched which scholarships accept alternatives to IELTS?
Have I requested a Medium of Instruction letter from my university?
Have I checked each target university's English proficiency waiver policy?
Have I considered the Duolingo English Test as an alternative?
Have I addressed my English proficiency in my application materials?
Have I contacted admissions offices directly for clarification?