Scholarship guide
Scholarships Without IELTS: English Proficiency Alternatives
Some programs accept evidence other than IELTS, but there is no universal rule. Learn which alternatives may be considered and how to confirm what a particular university and scholarship will accept.
Start your comparison
✓ Programs and universities
✓ Scholarships and total cost
✓ Requirements and deadlines
Check your WiseScore →
Last verified 10/01/2026. Admission, tuition, scholarship, and visa information can change. Use this guide to compare options, then confirm current details with the university and official sources such as The admissions office of the university you apply to, The scholarship provider's official guidelines, The immigration authority of your destination country before applying.
There is no universal waiver
Whether you can apply without IELTS is decided by each university, and often by each program within it. A scholarship provider may add its own language rule on top of the university's. Something accepted in one place may be refused in another. For that reason, treat any claim that a country or scholarship never needs IELTS with caution. Always read the current language requirement on the program page and the scholarship page before you plan around it.
Alternatives that may be considered
Where a program allows alternatives, the following are commonly discussed. None is automatic, and each usually needs the institution's agreement. Whether any of these is accepted depends entirely on the university, the program, and the scholarship provider, so ask each one in writing and keep their replies for your records.
- Another recognised English test named on the program page
- A letter confirming that your previous degree was taught in English
- Evidence from an internal English assessment or interview at the university
- A pathway or foundation language course before the main program
- A waiver based on nationality or school location, where the institution has one
Medium-of-instruction letters
Some universities accept a letter from your previous institution stating that teaching and assessment were in English. Policies differ on who must issue it, what it must say, and how recent your study must be. If you plan to rely on one, contact the admissions office early and ask for their template or wording requirements. A letter that does not match their format may be rejected even if the facts are correct.
Programs taught in another language
Some programs are taught in a language other than English, such as Chinese, Korean, or Japanese, and ask for a test in that language instead of IELTS. That can change the question rather than remove it, since you still need to meet a language standard. Check whether the program offers a preparatory language year and whether scholarship funding extends to it. Terms for language-preparation years differ and should be confirmed with the provider.
Confirm the rule in writing
Email the admissions office with your exact situation and ask what evidence they will accept for your chosen program and scholarship. Keep the reply, and attach it to your application if the process allows. Even if an alternative is accepted for admission, a visa authority or professional body may have a separate language rule, so check those too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a scholarship without taking IELTS?
Possibly, but it depends on the specific university, program, and scholarship provider. Some accept other evidence or waive the requirement in certain cases, while others require a named test. Check the current language rule for each one and confirm in writing.
Is a medium-of-instruction letter always accepted?
No. Some universities accept it only for certain programs or nationalities, and many set rules on the wording and issuer. Ask the admissions office whether it applies to your situation, because a letter that does not meet their format may not be considered.
Do visas have separate English requirements?
In some countries they can. A university's decision to waive IELTS may not change what an immigration authority or professional regulator expects. Review the official visa guidance for your destination and ask the university whether its offer letter covers the evidence needed.