Can international students study in China without IELTS in 2027? Yes, at some universities and programs. Several Chinese institutions explicitly accept alternatives such as TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE, an official certificate that your previous education was taught in English, or another university-approved proof. But there is no national rule that every English-taught degree in China waives IELTS.
Quick answer: The most useful alternative for many South Asian and Southeast Asian applicants is an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate. It works only when the target university/program explicitly accepts prior English-medium education as evidence.
IELTS Is a University Requirement, Not a Universal China Rule
Chinese universities set their own language requirements by degree and teaching language. Chinese-taught degrees typically require HSK or another recognized form of Chinese-language evidence. English-taught programs can request IELTS/TOEFL or accept alternatives. Scholarship rules can add another layer.
Verified 2026 Examples That Accept English-Medium Evidence
| University | Current published English-taught rule relevant to IELTS alternatives |
|---|---|
| Chang’an University | TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 100; exemption can be granted with official proof that previous education was taught in English or for English-speaking students. |
| Chongqing University – postgraduate | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 80, or previous-university certificate showing the degree was taught in English, or qualifying study in an English-speaking country. |
| Southwest Jiaotong University | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 80 or equivalent, or previous-degree English-medium certificate, or other evidence proving English proficiency. |
| Fudan University – selected English-taught undergraduate program | Accepts TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo and PTE; students from high schools whose major courses were taught in English may be waived. |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine MBBS | Accepts IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge and Duolingo; applicants who completed high school in English can provide official proof and apply for exemption. |
What an MOI Certificate Should Prove
The university needs credible evidence that you completed the relevant prior education in English. A useful MOI certificate is normally issued by the school/university on official letterhead, identifies you and the qualification, states that the medium of instruction was English, and carries the institution’s authorized signature/stamp or verification details.
Do not create the letter yourself or submit a generic “English was used at our school” statement if the target university asks for a specific format. Email admissions if the policy is unclear.
Undergraduate Applicants: Do Not Forget CSCA
Being exempt from IELTS does not remove China’s academic admission requirements. From the 2026/27 academic year, many Chinese universities require international undergraduate applicants to submit results from the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA). The required subjects depend on the major and teaching language. For English-taught undergraduate programs, the CSCA language/subject configuration can differ from Chinese-taught degrees.
Chinese-Taught Programs Need Chinese Evidence
If you apply to a Chinese-taught program, IELTS is usually irrelevant because the key language requirement is Chinese. Universities commonly publish HSK thresholds by degree/major, and some allow exemptions when previous education was conducted in Chinese. Check the exact HSK level and score because requirements vary.
Can CSC Scholarship Applicants Apply Without IELTS?
Potentially, yes, when the host university accepts another form of English proof for the English-taught program. Chinese Government Scholarship application materials require applicants to meet the host university’s academic and language criteria. Current scholarship guides commonly state that English-taught applicants should provide the language evidence required by the university; that can include MOI at institutions that explicitly allow it.
How to Verify a 2027 China Program
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the university’s official 2027 international admissions guide when available. |
| 2 | Find the exact program and confirm that the teaching language is English. |
| 3 | Read the English-proficiency section for accepted tests and exemptions. |
| 4 | If MOI is not clearly listed, email the international admissions office before applying. |
| 5 | Check scholarship requirements separately. |
| 6 | For undergraduate study, check CSCA subjects and submission deadline. |
| 7 | Keep written confirmation if admissions approves an alternative document. |
Common “Without IELTS” Mistakes
Do not assume that a previous English-medium degree automatically qualifies for exemption everywhere. Do not confuse an IELTS waiver with an HSK waiver. Do not submit a scholarship application before confirming the host university’s language rule. And do not rely on lists that say “100 Chinese universities without IELTS” without linking to the current official program guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use MOI instead of IELTS in China?
Yes at some universities. Chang’an University, Chongqing University and Southwest Jiaotong University are current examples of institutions that publish English-medium prior education as an accepted route for selected English-taught programs.
Can I study in China without any English test?
Possibly if the university accepts MOI, native/official English background or another exemption. You still must satisfy academic, scholarship, visa and any interview/test requirements.
Does an IELTS waiver apply to every program at the same university?
No. Requirements can vary by school, major and degree level. Verify the exact program.
Official Sources Used
Research sources: The figures and policy details in this guide were checked against official government, scholarship-provider, university, or ranking sources current as of 16 September 2026.
- Chang’an University – 2026 Undergraduate Guide
- Chang’an University – 2026 Master’s Guide
- Chongqing University – 2026 Postgraduate Guide
- Southwest Jiaotong University – 2026/27 Guide
- Fudan University – 2026 English-taught Undergraduate Guide
- SJTU School of Medicine – 2026 MBBS Guide
- Chongqing University – CSCA/Undergraduate Guide
