You Do Not Need IELTS to Win a Scholarship
One of the biggest misconceptions among international students is that IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory for every scholarship. It is not. Dozens of prestigious, fully funded scholarship programs either waive the English requirement entirely or accept alternative proof of English proficiency.
This guide compiles the best scholarships without IELTS in 2026 — fully verified, with details on how each program handles the language requirement.
Why Some Scholarships Do Not Require IELTS
Scholarship bodies waive IELTS/TOEFL for several reasons:
- Your previous degree was taught entirely in English
- The program is taught in a language other than English (German, Turkish, French, etc.) with a language course included
- The university conducts its own English assessment
- The scholarship body considers IELTS a financial barrier and opts for alternative assessment
1. Türkiye Scholarships — No IELTS Required
Country: Turkey
Level: Undergraduate, Master
s, PhD
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: April 20, 2026
Türkiye Scholarships does not require IELTS or TOEFL. The program includes a mandatory one-year Turkish language course before your degree begins. Some English-medium programs are available and may request proof of English, but the scholarship itself has no IELTS requirement.
✅ No IELTS needed for the scholarship application
2. MEXT Scholarship Japan — No IELTS Required
Country: Japan
Level: Undergraduate, Master
s, PhD
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: May–June 2026
Japan's MEXT scholarship does not require IELTS. The selection process involves a written exam and interview conducted at the Japanese Embassy. Japanese language training is included. Many programs are available in English.
✅ No IELTS — Embassy conducts its own assessment
3. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) — No IELTS Required
Country: China
Level: Undergraduate, Master
s, PhD
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: March–April 2026
The CSC scholarship does not require IELTS. Chinese-medium programs include a Chinese language course. English-medium programs may require a letter from your previous institution confirming your medium of instruction was English.
✅ No IELTS — medium of instruction letter accepted as alternative
4. Stipendium Hungaricum — No IELTS Requirement for Most Programs
Country: Hungary
Level: Undergraduate, Master
s, PhD
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: January–February 2027
Many programs under Stipendium Hungaricum do not require IELTS. The English proficiency requirement is handled directly by universities, many of which accept a declaration of English proficiency or an online interview.
✅ No IELTS for most programs — university-level assessment
5. Erasmus Mundus — Medium of Instruction Letter Accepted
Country: Multiple EU countries
Level: Master
s
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: October–January (program dependent)
Individual Erasmus Mundus programs set their own language requirements. Many accept a letter from your previous university confirming your degree was taught in English as a substitute for IELTS.
✅ Many programs accept medium of instruction letter
6. DAAD — Accepts Medium of Instruction Letter
Country: Germany
Level: Master
s, PhD
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: October–January
DAAD programs vary in their language requirements. Many German-taught programs include a language course. English-taught programs frequently accept a medium of instruction letter in lieu of IELTS, especially for applicants from countries where English is the primary medium of university education.
✅ Medium of instruction letter accepted for many programs
7. Global Korea Scholarship — No IELTS for Application
Country: South Korea
Level: Master
s, PhD
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: April 2026
GKS does not require IELTS at the application stage. Korean language training is provided. English-medium university programs may have their own requirements after admission, but the scholarship application itself has no IELTS requirement.
✅ No IELTS for scholarship application
8. IsDB Scholarship — No IELTS Required
Country: Various OIC countries
Level: Master
s, PhD
Funding: Fully funded
Deadline: June 2026
The Islamic Development Bank scholarship does not require IELTS. Applicants must have completed their previous degree in English or in an Islamic Development Bank member country where English is the medium of instruction.
✅ No IELTS required
9. Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship — No IELTS
Country: Various
Level: Master
s
Funding: 50% grant, 50% loan (effectively fully funded for top candidates)
Deadline: March–June 2026
The Aga Khan Foundation scholarship does not list IELTS as a requirement. Selection is based on academic merit, leadership potential, and financial need.
✅ No IELTS listed as requirement
10. University of Padua International Excellence — No IELTS for Some Programs
Country: Italy
Level: Master
s
Funding: Partial — up to €8,000
Deadline: May 2026
Several English-taught Master's programs at Padua accept applicants without IELTS if their previous degree was in English. The university conducts its own language assessment.
✅ Medium of instruction letter accepted
What to Use Instead of IELTS
If a scholarship or university accepts alternatives to IELTS, these are the most commonly accepted substitutes:
| Alternative | Accepted By |
|---|---|
| Medium of Instruction Letter | DAAD, CSC, Erasmus Mundus, many universities |
| Duolingo English Test | Some universities — check individual requirements |
| Cambridge B2/C1 Certificate | Many European universities |
| PTE Academic | UK universities, some Australian |
| University Online Interview | Stipendium Hungaricum, some Erasmus programs |
| Previous Degree in English | Most scholarships |
Pro Tips for Applying Without IELTS
Get your medium of instruction letter early. Request it from your university registrar. It should state clearly that your entire degree program was conducted in the English language.
Check the university — not just the scholarship. Even if the scholarship has no IELTS requirement, the university may. Always check both.
If in doubt, take IELTS. A score of 6.5 opens virtually every scholarship on this list. It is a one-time investment that pays back enormously.
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