Finding scholarships in Europe without IELTS is possible, but there is an important distinction: not needing IELTS does not mean you can study without proving your English proficiency.
Some universities accept TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English qualifications or previous education taught in English. Others offer exemptions only to applicants who meet specific country, qualification or course requirements.
This guide compares 5 top scholarships in Europe for 2026–27 with IELTS alternatives, including opportunities in Hungary, the United Kingdom and Italy. You will find the funding offered, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, English-language rules and the latest information for students preparing for 2027.
Last updated: November 2, 2026
Important deadline update: The original 2026/27 application rounds for all five scholarships have closed. Some universities have already published information for 2027/28, while others have not yet announced their next application dates.
5 Top Scholarships in Europe Without IELTS: Quick Comparison
| Scholarship | Country | Funding | Application status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation contribution and health cover | 2026/27 closed; next round expected in November 2026 |
| Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship | UK | 50% or 100% of tuition fees | 2026/27 closed; next dates unconfirmed |
| Talents 4 UniTo | Italy | €20,000 gross over two years, plus tuition exemption with an exception | 2026/27 closed; next dates unconfirmed |
| UCL Global Master’s Scholarship | UK | £15,000 | 2026/27 closed; next deadline expected in early May 2027 |
| UAL International Postgraduate £10,000 Scholarships | UK | £10,000 tuition-fee waiver | 2027/28 details published; deadlines in March and May 2027 |
These scholarships do not all offer the same level of support. Some help with tuition only, while Stipendium Hungaricum also contributes toward living and accommodation expenses.
For other opportunities, browse our Master’s scholarships directory or fully funded scholarships.
1. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship — Hungary
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is a government-supported programme administered by the Tempus Public Foundation.
It offers international students an opportunity to study at participating Hungarian universities through agreements with eligible sending countries.
Students can apply for bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s and other approved programmes. Doctoral applicants follow a separate call.
What Does Stipendium Hungaricum Cover?
Under the 2026/27 bachelor’s and master’s call, scholarship recipients receive:
- Full exemption from tuition fees.
- A monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 for bachelor’s and master’s students.
- A dormitory place, subject to availability, or HUF 40,000 per month toward accommodation.
- Healthcare coverage and supplementary medical insurance under programme rules.
Does the scholarship cover all expenses?
Not necessarily. The official call explains that the stipend and accommodation allowance are contributions rather than guarantees that every living expense will be covered.
Students may need additional money for rent, food, transport and personal expenses, particularly in more expensive Hungarian cities.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants generally need to:
- Come from an eligible Sending Partner country or territory.
- Choose a study programme available under their country’s agreement.
- Meet the host university’s admission and language requirements.
- Complete the relevant sending-partner nomination process.
A scholarship application is not successful simply because the online form has been submitted. Applicants must also complete the applicable national nomination and university admission stages.
Can You Apply Without IELTS?
Yes, for some programmes.
The 2026/27 call permits applicants whose previous education was completed in the language of their selected programme to upload evidence of that education.
For example, someone applying for an English-taught master’s programme may be able to provide documentation showing that their previous qualification was taught in English.
However, the Hungarian host university determines the minimum language proficiency and may impose additional requirements.
Check the exact host-university admission conditions before relying on a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate.
Application Deadline and 2027 Update
The 2026/27 application deadline was January 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central European Time.
That round is closed.
The next application period for 2027/28 is expected to begin in November 2026, according to participating Hungarian university information. The official programme website had not yet published a confirmed new deadline as of this article’s update.
How to Apply
- Visit the official Stipendium Hungaricum website.
- Check whether your country is an eligible Sending Partner.
- Identify available programmes and participating universities.
- Read the applicable call and document requirements.
- Submit your application through the official online system when the next round opens.
- Complete the sending-partner and university selection processes.
Official links:
Best suited for: Students who need tuition coverage and additional living support, can meet the sending-country requirements and are prepared for a competitive selection process.
2. University of Nottingham Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship — UK
The Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship supports students who want to use postgraduate education to address development challenges in their home countries.
It is particularly relevant to applicants who can demonstrate how their degree will help them work on economic, environmental, social or other important development problems.
Scholarship Benefits
The 2026/27 scholarship offered either:
- 50% of eligible master’s tuition fees; or
- 100% of eligible master’s tuition fees.
Funding applies for one academic year.
For an eligible two-year programme, the award does not automatically cover tuition for the second year.
The scholarship is a tuition-fee award, not a comprehensive package for accommodation, travel and living expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
For the 2026/27 cycle, applicants needed to:
- Be domiciled in Africa, India or one of the selected Commonwealth countries.
- Hold overseas fee status.
- Have an offer for an eligible full-time master’s or MRes programme.
- Study within an eligible faculty, including Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science or Social Sciences.
- Meet the scholarship’s additional eligibility conditions.
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka were among the eligible Commonwealth countries in the 2026 cycle.
The scholarship also had restrictions relating to previous overseas study and existing University of Nottingham student or graduate status. Applicants should review these conditions carefully when the next call becomes available.
What Makes a Strong Application?
Nottingham places particular importance on the applicant’s development plan.
Rather than simply explaining why you want a scholarship, you should identify a challenge in your home country and explain how your proposed degree will equip you to address it.
For example, an applicant interested in food security could describe a relevant problem, the knowledge they intend to gain and the realistic contribution they hope to make afterward.
Your answer should connect the problem, your proposed studies and your future plans.
Is IELTS Compulsory?
IELTS is not the only English-language qualification accepted for postgraduate admission at Nottingham. For a broader regional shortlist, review Europe scholarships 2026 before narrowing this page down to one route.
The university publishes guidance on alternative English qualifications.
However, an English-medium bachelor’s degree does not automatically guarantee an IELTS exemption. The accepted evidence depends on the qualification, course requirements and university assessment.
Applicants should check the entry requirements for their specific master’s course before choosing an alternative English test or requesting an exemption.
Deadline and Application Process
The 2026/27 scholarship deadline was April 15, 2026.
Applications for that round have closed. A confirmed deadline for the 2027/28 scholarship had not been identified as of November 2, 2026.
For the next round, the general process is to:
- Choose an eligible master’s programme at Nottingham.
- Apply for admission and obtain an offer.
- Review the current Developing Solutions scholarship conditions.
- Access the scholarship application through NottinghamHub.
- Submit the required answers and documents within the announced deadline.
Applicants for MRes courses should follow the university’s specific scholarship application instructions.
Official links:
Best suited for: International master’s applicants with a well-developed plan to contribute to their home country’s development.
3. Talents 4 UniTo Scholarship — Italy
The Talents 4 UniTo Scholarship is offered by the University of Turin to talented international students entering eligible English-taught postgraduate programmes.
This scholarship is worth considering if you want to pursue a master’s degree in Italy and meet the university’s academic and international-applicant requirements.
Scholarship Benefits
For the 2026/27 academic year, the University of Turin funded 40 two-year scholarships.
Each award provided:
- €20,000 gross across two academic years.
- €10,000 gross per academic year.
- Exemption from university tuition fees, except the first enrolment instalment due each academic year.
The scholarship amount is stated before any applicable tax charges.
Students should check the payment conditions and account for expenses not expressly covered by the award.
Who Was Eligible?
The 2026/27 call required candidates to:
- Hold an academic qualification obtained outside the Italian education system that was valid for postgraduate admission.
- Not hold Italian citizenship.
- Not be resident in Italy.
- Apply to an eligible English-taught postgraduate programme without restricted admission places.
- Meet the university’s programme-specific admission requirements.
These conditions matter because the scholarship is not an unrestricted award for every international student enrolled at Turin.
Can You Apply Without IELTS?
The University of Turin confirms that some postgraduate programmes accept documentation from the applicant’s previous university stating that their bachelor’s studies were conducted in English.
However, some programmes require a B2 or C1 English certificate.
Depending on the programme, accepted tests can include IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and specified Cambridge or Trinity qualifications.
Important: The University of Turin states that Duolingo English Test certification is not accepted for these language-certification requirements.
Applicants must check the specific programme’s language requirements in Apply@UniTo.
Deadline and Future Applications
The 2026/27 application period ran from November 25, 2025, to January 29, 2026.
The university has confirmed that the call is closed and has published its selection results.
A new Talents 4 UniTo scholarship call for 2027/28 had not been confirmed at the time of this update.
Students interested in future applications should prepare their documents but should not assume the previous deadline or scholarship conditions will remain unchanged.
How to Prepare Your Application
- Identify a master’s programme covered by the scholarship.
- Check the programme’s academic and English-language requirements.
- Prepare your degree certificate, transcript and other required documents.
- Review the official scholarship call.
- Apply through Apply@UniTo during the relevant application period.
Official links:
- University of Turin international scholarships
- University of Turin language requirements
- Talents 4 UniTo 2026/27 official call (PDF)
You can also compare funding conditions in our University of Pisa Scholarship 2026/27 guide.
Best suited for: International students with strong academic qualifications who want an English-taught master’s degree in Italy and meet the scholarship’s residence and nationality rules.
4. UCL Global Master’s Scholarship — United Kingdom
The UCL Global Master’s Scholarship is designed to help international students from lower-income backgrounds pursue postgraduate studies at University College London.
Unlike scholarships that focus primarily on academic excellence, this award places particular emphasis on financial need.
Funding and Benefits
For 2026/27, UCL offered up to 85 scholarships.
The scholarship provides £15,000.
The award is generally for one year. For an eligible two-year full-time programme, UCL states that the amount is divided equally between the two years.
The scholarship is first applied toward tuition fees. Any remaining amount may be paid toward living expenses according to the university’s payment arrangements.
Because tuition and living costs in London can be substantial, applicants should calculate their likely funding gap before accepting an offer.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the 2026/27 award needed to:
- Be eligible for the Overseas tuition-fee category.
- Come from a lower-income background.
- Submit a complete application, including references, for an eligible full-time master’s programme at UCL.
- Meet the scholarship’s other published requirements.
Distance-learning programmes were not eligible under the 2026/27 rules.
Do you need an admission offer before applying?
Not necessarily. UCL required a complete admission application, including references, before the scholarship application. A final admission offer was not required at that initial stage.
Does UCL Accept Students Without IELTS?
Yes, UCL recognises several alternatives to IELTS, but its requirements are specific.
Depending on the circumstances, applicants may provide:
- TOEFL iBT.
- PTE Academic.
- Cambridge English qualifications.
- Other officially recognised tests.
- Qualifying previous education completed in English in a country accepted by UCL.
There is an important restriction for applicants relying on previous education. For a wider country-level comparison, explore scholarships in Italy and compare more routes in the same destination.
UCL requires qualifying education to have been completed in an approved country, within the specified period before enrolment.
An English-taught bachelor’s degree from any country is therefore not automatically sufficient.
Students who cannot meet the exemption conditions may need to provide a recognised English-language test result.
Scholarship Deadline and 2027 Update
The 2026/27 application deadline was May 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM British Summer Time.
That round is closed.
UCL’s information for prospective graduate students indicates that the next scholarship deadline is expected in early May 2027.
This is an expected date, not a confirmed final deadline for the new cycle.
How to Apply
The 2026/27 application procedure required students to:
- Apply for an eligible master’s programme at UCL.
- Ensure the admission application and references were complete.
- Log in to the Portico applicant system.
- Open the Funding section.
- Select the relevant scholarship application.
- Submit the application before the announced deadline.
Students preparing for 2027 should check whether UCL changes the procedure when the next scholarship round opens.
Official links:
- UCL Global Master’s Scholarship
- UCL International Master’s Awards
- UCL graduate English-language requirements
Best suited for: International students with documented financial need who can meet UCL’s academic and English-language admission requirements.
5. UAL International Postgraduate £10,000 Scholarships — UK
The University of the Arts London (UAL) International Postgraduate £10,000 Scholarship is intended for eligible international students pursuing taught postgraduate courses.
It is particularly relevant for students interested in art, design, fashion, communication, creative business and related subjects.
Unlike several scholarships in this article, UAL has already published information for its next academic cycle.
Funding for 2027/28
UAL has announced up to 288 International Postgraduate £10,000 Scholarships for 2027/28.
Each scholarship provides a £10,000 tuition-fee waiver for an eligible full-time or part-time taught master’s course.
This is a reduction in tuition fees rather than a separate living-expenses stipend.
Who Is Eligible?
For the published 2027/28 scheme, applicants must:
- Hold an offer for an eligible postgraduate course at UAL.
- Qualify for Overseas tuition-fee status.
- Have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, an upper second-class honours undergraduate degree or an accepted equivalent.
- Meet the scholarship’s other academic and application requirements.
Eligible qualifications include specified taught postgraduate courses such as MA, MSc, MFA, MBA, MRes, MArch and Graduate Diploma programmes.
UAL Online courses are not eligible.
Applicants who already hold a UK postgraduate taught qualification obtained through study in the UK are also excluded under the published conditions.
IELTS Alternatives at UAL
UAL accepts a range of English-language qualifications and provides exemptions for certain applicants.
Depending on the course and individual circumstances, these can include recognised English tests and eligible degree qualifications.
For some applicants, a qualification equivalent to a UK undergraduate degree or higher, taught and assessed entirely in English, may meet the relevant exemption conditions.
UAL applies requirements relating to the qualification, academic level, grades and validity period. Degree-based evidence is not automatically accepted merely because the applicant has an MOI letter.
Students should also check whether their English qualification meets the relevant UK student-visa requirements.
Check the university’s English-language rules and contact admissions if your qualification is not clearly listed.
Confirmed 2027 Scholarship Deadlines
UAL has published the following dates for the 2027/28 cycle:
| Course intake | Scholarship deadline |
|---|---|
| September–November 2027, Round 1 | March 23, 2027 |
| September–November 2027, Round 2 | May 18, 2027 |
| January 2028 | To be confirmed |
Applications must be submitted within the scholarship round that corresponds to the applicant’s course-offer round.
UAL advises students applying in Round 2 to submit their course application by February 17, 2027, so there is time to receive an offer before the scholarship deadline.
The university states that scholarship application forms will become available through the applicant portal from December 2026 for eligible offer holders.
How to Apply
- Select an eligible UAL postgraduate programme.
- Apply for admission.
- Receive an offer.
- Access the My Funding section in the UAL applicant portal once the relevant application becomes available.
- Complete the scholarship application and supporting statements.
- Submit everything by the deadline for your applicable round.
UAL requires applicants to answer scholarship questions about their achievements, future plans and expected contribution to university life.
Use your own experiences and concrete examples rather than generic statements.
Official links:
- UAL International Postgraduate £10,000 Scholarships
- UAL postgraduate scholarships 2027/28
- UAL English-language requirements
Best suited for: International postgraduate applicants in creative disciplines who can fund their remaining tuition fees and living expenses.
Which Scholarship Should You Choose?
The best scholarship depends on your eligibility, subject and financial circumstances, not simply which award has the largest advertised amount.
| Your situation | Scholarship to investigate |
|---|---|
| You need tuition coverage and a living allowance | Stipendium Hungaricum |
| You have a strong development-focused career plan | Developing Solutions |
| You want an English-taught master’s in Italy | Talents 4 UniTo |
| You are applying to UCL and have significant financial need | UCL Global Master’s Scholarship |
| You are studying a creative postgraduate subject | UAL International Postgraduate £10,000 Scholarship |
These are recommendations based on programme characteristics, not estimates of your probability of winning. A closely related scholarship to compare next is University of Pisa DSU Toscana Scholarship.
A scholarship with a generous award may still be unsuitable if you do not meet its country, academic or language requirements.
Can You Apply for European Scholarships With an MOI Certificate?
A Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate is a document issued by an educational institution confirming the language in which a qualification was taught.
It can be useful for applicants whose previous education was completed in English.
However, MOI acceptance varies considerably.
| Scholarship | Can previous English-medium education help? |
|---|---|
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Yes, the 2026/27 call allows evidence of previous study in the programme language, subject to host requirements |
| Developing Solutions | Possibly, depending on Nottingham’s accepted qualifications and admission rules |
| Talents 4 UniTo | Yes, for some programmes that explicitly accept previous English-medium education |
| UCL Global Master’s | Only when the previous qualification meets UCL’s approved-country and other requirements |
| UAL International Postgraduate | Certain English-taught degrees can qualify under UAL’s specific exemption rules |
Before applying, ask the admissions office whether your exact qualification is acceptable. Include the qualification name, awarding university, country, graduation date and proposed master’s programme.
Do not assume that a scholarship advertisement saying “IELTS not required” overrides the university’s English-language admission policy.
Documents to Prepare for the Next Application Cycle
Although each scholarship has different requirements, students can begin gathering several common documents:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
- Passport or other identification accepted by the programme.
- English-language test results or eligible alternative evidence.
- Medium of Instruction certificate, where relevant.
- Academic CV or résumé.
- Motivation statement or personal statement.
- Reference letters, where required.
- Financial evidence for need-based scholarships.
- Translations of documents when required by the institution.
For example, UCL applicants should pay close attention to the evidence needed to establish financial need, while Developing Solutions applicants should prepare a specific, credible development-impact plan.
Avoid spending money on unnecessary document certification or testing before checking the official requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Treating an expired deadline as open. An old article may continue appearing in Google after its application period has ended. Always confirm the current call.
2. Assuming IELTS alternatives are universal. A university may accept an alternative test for one course but apply different requirements to another.
3. Applying for a scholarship without checking admission requirements. Nottingham and UAL require an eligible course offer before their scholarship applications, while UCL’s 2026/27 process required a complete admission application.
4. Confusing tuition funding with full financial support. Even substantial tuition-fee awards may leave students responsible for accommodation, travel, visa and living costs.
5. Using the same generic statement for every scholarship. Your application should respond to the scholarship’s selection criteria and explain why your experience is relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study in Europe without IELTS in 2027?
Yes. Some European universities accept other English-language qualifications, eligible previous education in English or approved exemptions. The accepted route depends on the university and course.
Which scholarship on this list provides the most comprehensive funding?
Stipendium Hungaricum provides tuition-free study alongside a monthly stipend, accommodation support and healthcare coverage. However, the official programme warns that these allowances may not cover all living expenses.
Can Pakistani students apply for these scholarships?
Pakistani applicants may be eligible for several opportunities, subject to the current rules.
For example, Pakistan was included among the eligible countries for the 2026 Developing Solutions scholarship. For Stipendium Hungaricum, applicants must check the current Sending Partner arrangements and available programmes.
Other awards have their own nationality, residence, fee-status and academic criteria.
Is an MOI certificate enough to study in the UK?
Not necessarily. UK universities evaluate English-language qualifications according to their own admissions requirements and relevant visa rules.
A degree taught in English is not always enough to obtain an exemption.
Can I apply without an admission offer?
That depends on the scholarship.
Stipendium Hungaricum includes university admission within its scholarship selection process. Nottingham and UAL require an eligible offer before the scholarship application, while UCL’s 2026/27 round accepted applicants who had submitted complete admission applications.
Are these scholarships only for master’s students?
Most of the scholarships listed here support postgraduate taught students. Stipendium Hungaricum also offers opportunities at other study levels, subject to the relevant programme call.
Which scholarships have confirmed upcoming deadlines?
UAL has published March 23 and May 18, 2027, deadlines for its main 2027/28 postgraduate scholarship rounds.
UCL indicates that its next Global Master’s Scholarship deadline is expected in early May 2027, but the exact date is not yet confirmed.
The other scholarships should be monitored through their official application pages.
Find More Scholarships
If none of these five opportunities suits your situation, you can explore other programmes on Scholarships Central:
- Browse master’s scholarships
- Find fully funded scholarships
- 15 Best Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS for 2027
- University of Pisa Scholarship 2026/27
- Browse all scholarships
Final Advice: Choosing a Scholarship in Europe Without IELTS
The five scholarships covered here demonstrate that IELTS is not always the only route into European postgraduate education.
However, the differences between their funding and admission conditions are important.
Stipendium Hungaricum provides tuition and living-related support, while Nottingham, UCL, UAL and Turin offer different forms of substantial financial assistance.
The original 2026/27 deadlines have passed, so students preparing for 2027 should focus on upcoming announcements and application requirements rather than treating the old dates as current.
Start with the scholarship that matches your nationality, academic background, course and funding needs. Then check the English-language conditions directly with the university before preparing your application.
That approach will help you avoid applying for an unsuitable scholarship or relying on an IELTS exemption that the university does not recognise.