Scholarships Without IELTS Requirement (2026) — Apply Without English Test

One of the biggest barriers international students face when applying for scholarships is the requirement for an English proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL. These tests cost $200–$300, require advance booking, and may not be available in every city. The good news is that many fully funded scholarships and universities do not require IELTS or TOEFL — either they accept alternative proof of English proficiency, or they waive the requirement entirely under certain conditions.

This guide lists scholarships you can apply to without IELTS in 2026, explains when and how English test requirements are waived, and helps you find the best path forward for your situation.

When Is IELTS Not Required?

Before diving into the list, it is important to understand the common situations where IELTS and TOEFL requirements are waived:

1. Your Previous Degree Was Taught in English

This is the most common waiver. If you completed your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a university where the medium of instruction was English, many scholarships and universities will accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from your university instead of an IELTS score.

An MOI letter is an official document from your university confirming that your degree program was taught entirely in English.

2. You Are a Native English Speaker

Citizens of English-speaking countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and sometimes South Africa, Singapore, or the Philippines) are typically exempt from English test requirements.

3. The Program Is Not Taught in English

If you are applying to a program taught in another language (German, French, Turkish, Chinese, etc.), English test scores are irrelevant. You will need proficiency in the program’s language instead.

4. The Scholarship Does Not Require It

Some scholarship programs simply do not list IELTS or TOEFL as a requirement, particularly government scholarships that handle admissions independently of university requirements.

5. Duolingo English Test or Other Alternatives Are Accepted

An increasing number of universities accept the Duolingo English Test ($59, taken at home) as an alternative to IELTS or TOEFL. Other accepted alternatives include Cambridge English exams (CAE/CPE) and Pearson PTE Academic.

Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS (2026)

Türkiye Scholarships (Turkey)

Country: Turkey
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding: Full tuition, monthly stipend (₺3,000–₺6,000), accommodation, health insurance, Turkish language course, return airfare
IELTS required? No. Türkiye Scholarships do not require IELTS or TOEFL. Turkish language proficiency is preferred but not mandatory — the scholarship includes a one-year Turkish language preparatory course.
Deadline: January–February each year
Details: Türkiye Scholarships page

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

Country: China
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding: Full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, health insurance
IELTS required? No. Most CSC-funded programs taught in Chinese do not require English test scores. For English-taught programs, requirements vary by university, but many accept an MOI letter or conduct their own English assessment.
Deadline: January–April (varies by program and university)

Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP/GKS)

Country: South Korea
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding: Full tuition, monthly allowance, airfare, health insurance, Korean language training, settlement allowance
IELTS required? Not mandatory. KGSP does not require IELTS as part of the initial application. However, having English or Korean proficiency scores strengthens your application and is required by some partner universities.
Deadline: Varies by track (February–March for graduate)

MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

Country: Japan
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, Research
Funding: Full tuition, monthly stipend (¥143,000–¥145,000), return airfare
IELTS required? No. MEXT does not require IELTS or TOEFL. English ability is assessed through the MEXT examination or through academic credentials. For research students, the supervising professor’s acceptance letter matters more than standardized test scores.
Deadline: April–June (varies by country and track)

Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

Country: Hungary
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding: Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation or housing contribution, health insurance
IELTS required? Not always. Many programs accept alternative proof of English, including an MOI letter, university entrance exam, or the university’s own language assessment. Some programs accept Duolingo English Test scores.
Deadline: January each year

DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

Country: Germany
Degree levels: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
Funding: Monthly stipend (€934–€1,300), health insurance, travel allowance
IELTS required? Varies by program. Many DAAD-funded programs at German universities accept alternative proof of English. Programs taught in German require German proficiency (TestDaF or DSH) instead. Some English-taught programs accept MOI certificates.
Deadline: Varies (typically October–November)
Related: How to study in Germany for free

Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship

Country: Brunei
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding: Full tuition, monthly allowance, airfare, accommodation
IELTS required? No. The scholarship program does not require IELTS. Programs taught in Malay may require Malay language proficiency.
Deadline: February each year

Taiwan ICDF Scholarship

Country: Taiwan
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding: Full tuition, monthly stipend, return airfare, accommodation, health insurance
IELTS required? Not mandatory for all programs. Many programs accept MOI letters, Duolingo English Test scores, or the university’s own assessment.
Deadline: March each year

Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarships

Country: Various (study in any OIC member state)
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding: Full tuition, monthly stipend, return airfare, health insurance, book allowance
IELTS required? No. IsDB scholarships do not require IELTS or TOEFL as part of the application.
Deadline: Varies (typically January–March)

Romanian Government Scholarships

Country: Romania
Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding: Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation
IELTS required? No. The scholarship includes a one-year preparatory language course if needed.
Deadline: March each year

Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Programs

Country: Italy
Degree levels: Master’s, PhD, Diploma
Funding: Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel
IELTS required? No. Applications are evaluated based on academic merit and research potential. English ability is assessed from academic transcripts and recommendation letters.
Deadline: Varies by program

Universities That Don’t Require IELTS

Beyond specific scholarships, many universities worldwide admit students without IELTS under certain conditions:

Universities Accepting MOI Letters Instead of IELTS

Most German public universities — Accept MOI for English-taught programs
Many Chinese universities (for CSC and self-funded students)
Most Turkish universities (especially for Türkiye Scholarships)
University of Saskatchewan (Canada) — Accepts MOI from recognized English-medium universities
Several Australian universities — For students from specific countries or with specific qualifications

Universities Accepting Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test costs only $59, takes one hour, and can be taken from home. Over 4,500 institutions now accept it, including:

Many UK universities (including some Russell Group members)
Over 200 US universities
Several Canadian and Australian institutions
Many European universities

Check each university’s language requirements page for the most current accepted tests.

How to Apply Without IELTS — Step by Step

Option 1: Get a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Letter

If your previous degree was taught in English:

Contact your university’s registrar or examination office
Request an official letter confirming the medium of instruction was English
The letter should be on official university letterhead with the registrar’s signature and stamp
Attach this letter to your scholarship application where IELTS scores are requested

Option 2: Take the Duolingo English Test

If you need a test score but cannot access or afford IELTS:

Visit englishtest.duolingo.com
Take the adaptive test online ($59) — results in 48 hours
Send scores directly to universities and scholarship programs
Score conversion: Duolingo 110–120 roughly equals IELTS 6.5–7.0

Option 3: Use Cambridge English or PTE Academic

Some programs accept Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), or Pearson PTE Academic as IELTS alternatives. Check specific program requirements.

Option 4: Apply to Programs That Waive the Requirement

Focus your applications on scholarships and universities that explicitly do not require English test scores. Use the list in this article as your starting point.

Tips for Strengthening Your Application Without IELTS

Even without a standardized test score, you need to demonstrate strong English ability:

Write excellent essays. Your Statement of Purpose and motivation letter serve as direct evidence of your English writing ability. Make them polished and error-free. Use our SOP writing guide for help.
Get English-proficiency references. Ask your recommenders to specifically mention your English communication skills in their letters.
Highlight English-medium education. Emphasize in your CV and application that your degree was taught in English.
Show English-language achievements. Publications in English journals, presentations at international conferences, or work in English-speaking environments all demonstrate proficiency.
Prepare for English interviews. Some scholarships conduct interviews in English. Practice articulating your goals clearly and confidently.

Scholarships Where IELTS Helps but Is Not Required

Some scholarship programs do not require IELTS but give preference to candidates who submit scores. If you can take the test, even with a moderate score, it may strengthen your application for:

Korean Government Scholarship (KGSP) — Bonus points for TOPIK (Korean) or IELTS scores
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) — Some universities prefer IELTS for English-taught programs
Erasmus Mundus — Some programs prefer but do not require IELTS if you have an MOI letter

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a scholarship without IELTS or TOEFL? Yes. Many fully funded scholarships, especially government programs in Turkey, China, Japan, South Korea, Hungary, and Brunei, do not require IELTS or TOEFL. Others accept alternative proof of English like MOI letters or Duolingo scores.

Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for scholarships? An increasing number of universities and some scholarship programs accept Duolingo. However, check each program’s specific requirements before relying on it.

Can I apply for Chevening without IELTS? You can submit the Chevening application without an IELTS score, but you must meet the English requirement (IELTS 6.5 overall, no band below 5.5) before your offer is confirmed. You can take the test after being shortlisted. See our Chevening application guide for details.

What is the cheapest English proficiency test? The Duolingo English Test costs $59 and can be taken from home. IELTS costs approximately $230–$260, and TOEFL costs approximately $200–$300 depending on your country.

Do German universities require IELTS? Most German universities accept alternative English proof, including MOI letters, for English-taught programs. Programs taught in German require German proficiency (TestDaF or DSH) instead.

Next Steps

Not having an IELTS score should never stop you from pursuing your dream scholarship. Focus on programs that do not require it, prepare strong alternative documentation, and invest in writing compelling application essays.

Browse our complete list of fully funded scholarships for 2026 and use the Scholarship Finder to filter by programs that match your profile. Read our step-by-step guide on how to apply for scholarships to ensure every application you submit is as strong as possible.