Many students believe that studying abroad always needs an IELTS certificate, but that is not always true. Several universities and scholarship programs accept alternative proof of language proficiency, including Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates, internal university language tests, or preparatory language programs.
In some cases, IELTS is optional, while in others the scholarship itself does not require IELTS but the university program may still request language proof later.
This guide lists 15 scholarships without IELTS requirements (or with IELTS alternatives) and explains how international students can apply successfully.
15 Scholarships Without IELTS
| Scholarship | Country | Degree | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye Scholarships | Turkey | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Fully funded |
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | South Korea | Master’s, PhD | Fully funded |
| MEXT Scholarship | Japan | Master’s, PhD | Fully funded |
| Romania Government Scholarship | Romania | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Fully funded |
| Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) | China | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Fully funded |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Fully funded |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe | Master’s | Fully funded |
| Open Doors Russian Scholarship | Russia | Master’s, PhD | Tuition-free |
| DSU Toscana Regional Grant | Italy | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Financial aid |
| ADISU Puglia Regional Grant | Italy | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Financial aid |
| Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship | Brunei | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Fully funded |
| Taiwan ICDF Scholarship | Taiwan | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Fully funded |
| Schwarzman Scholars | China | Master’s | Fully funded |
| Asian Development Bank Scholarship | Asia | Master’s | Fully funded |
| Thailand Government Scholarships | Thailand | Master’s, PhD | Fully funded |
Best Countries which Provide Scholarships Without IELTS
Many students search for countries where IELTS is not required for scholarships or university admission. In reality, IELTS is often optional if students can provide alternative language proof.
Does Germany offers Scholarships Without IELTS ?
Many German universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, confirming that your previous degree was taught in English. Some universities may also conduct their own language assessment instead of requiring IELTS.
Does Italy offers Scholarships Without IELTS ?
Italian universities frequently accept MOI certificates or internal English tests instead of IELTS. Additionally, regional financial aid programs such as DSU Toscana and ADISU Puglia focus on financial eligibility rather than language tests.
You can also explore more opportunities in our guide to fully funded scholarships in Italy.
Does Turkey offers Scholarships Without IELTS ?
Türkiye Scholarships allow applications without IELTS in many cases. Students who do not know Turkish may complete a one-year language preparation program before starting their degree.
Does Hungary offers Scholarships Without IELTS ?
The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship sometimes allows students to apply without IELTS during the application stage, although universities may still request language proof later.
Does China offers Scholarships Without IELTS ?
For Chinese-taught programs, students typically provide HSK Chinese language test results instead of IELTS.
Top Scholarships Without IELTS 2026
1 Türkiye Scholarships (Turkey)
Türkiye Scholarships are one of the most popular government scholarships for international students.
Benefits
- full tuition coverage
- monthly stipend
- accommodation
- health insurance
- one-year Turkish language course
IELTS Requirement
Students can apply without IELTS. However, if the chosen program is taught in English, universities may request alternative language proof later.
Link to the Source
Turkiye Scholarships 2026
2 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
The Global Korea Scholarship is funded by the Korean government and supports international students pursuing graduate studies.
Benefits
- round-trip airfare
- tuition coverage
- monthly stipend
- Korean language training
IELTS Requirement
Language test scores may be optional and used only for additional evaluation points depending on the university.
Official link
https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr
3 MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
The Japanese government offers the MEXT Scholarship for international students.
Benefits
- tuition waiver
- monthly stipend
- travel support
IELTS Requirement
Some embassy tracks accept MOI certificates instead of IELTS.
Official link
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp
4 Romania Government Scholarship
Romania offers scholarships for international students studying in Romanian universities.
Benefits
- tuition fee exemption
- monthly stipend
- accommodation support
IELTS Requirement
Students complete a Romanian preparatory language year, so IELTS is not required.
Official link
https://scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro
5 Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
The Chinese Government Scholarship funds international students studying in Chinese universities.
Benefits
- tuition coverage
- accommodation
- monthly stipend
- medical insurance
IELTS Requirement
Chinese-taught programs require HSK instead of IELTS.
Official link
https://www.campuschina.org
6 Stipendium Hungaricum
This scholarship is offered by the Hungarian government.
Benefits
- tuition-free education
- monthly stipend
- accommodation allowance
- health insurance
IELTS Requirement
Language proof may be optional during application but depends on university rules.
Official link
https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu
7 Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Erasmus Mundus offers scholarships for joint master’s programs across European universities.
Benefits
- full tuition
- travel allowance
- monthly stipend
IELTS Requirement
Each program has its own language requirements, and some accept alternatives to IELTS.
Official link
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
8 Open Doors Russian Scholarship
This scholarship allows international students to study in Russian universities.
Benefits
- tuition-free education
- preparatory language program
IELTS Requirement
Russian-taught programs may include language training instead of requiring IELTS.
Official link
https://od.globaluni.ru
9 DSU Toscana Regional Grant
DSU Toscana is a regional financial aid program for universities in Tuscany, Italy.
Benefits
- accommodation assistance
- meal allowances
- financial grants
IELTS Requirement
Language requirements are determined by the university admission process.
Official link
https://www.dsu.toscana.it
10 ADISU Puglia Regional Grant
ADISU Puglia provides financial aid for students studying in universities in southern Italy.
Benefits
- financial grants
- accommodation assistance
IELTS Requirement
Language requirements depend on university admission rules.
Official link
https://www.adisupuglia.it
11 Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship
This scholarship supports international students studying in Brunei.
Benefits
- tuition coverage
- monthly stipend
- accommodation
- travel allowance
12 Taiwan ICDF Scholarship
Taiwan ICDF scholarships support international students studying in Taiwan.
Benefits
- tuition coverage
- housing
- monthly stipend
13 Schwarzman Scholars
Schwarzman Scholars is a prestigious scholarship hosted at Tsinghua University in China.
Benefits
- full tuition
- travel expenses
- monthly stipend
14 Asian Development Bank Scholarship
ADB scholarships support graduate students studying development-related programs.
Benefits
- tuition coverage
- travel allowance
- monthly stipend
15 Thailand Government Scholarships
Thailand offers scholarships for international students in various universities.
Benefits
- tuition coverage
- monthly stipend
- accommodation support
Alternatives to IELTS for Scholarships
Many universities accept other proof of language ability, including:
- TOEFL
- Duolingo English Test
- Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate
- university language tests
These alternatives allow students to apply even if they have not taken IELTS.
Required Documents for Scholarships Without IELTS ?
Typical scholarship applications require:
- passport
- academic transcripts
- CV
- statement of purpose
- recommendation letters
- language proof or MOI certificate
- financial documents (for need-based scholarships)
Tips to Win Scholarships Without IELTS
- obtain an MOI certificate if accepted
- apply to programs with language preparatory years
- submit optional language tests if available
- apply early to avoid deadlines
- write a strong statement of purpose
Common Mistakes Students Make
- assuming IELTS is never required
- ignoring program-specific language requirements
- submitting incomplete documents
- missing application deadlines
Which countries allow study abroad without IELTS?
Several countries allow international students to study without IELTS if alternative language proof is available. These include Germany, Italy, Turkey, Hungary, China, and Romania. However, students should always check university-specific language requirements before applying.
FAQ
Are scholarships without IELTS real?
Yes. Some scholarships allow alternatives such as MOI certificates or language preparatory programs.
Can I study abroad without IELTS?
Yes, but universities usually require some form of language proof.
Can I use an MOI certificate instead of IELTS?
Some universities accept a Medium of Instruction certificate confirming that your previous studies were taught in English.
Conclusion
Finding scholarships without IELTS is possible if you understand how universities evaluate language proficiency. Many scholarships allow alternatives such as MOI certificates, preparatory language programs, or optional language tests.
Always check the specific requirements of each program and prepare your application carefully.