Top Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS in 2025 – Study Abroad with No English Test

Looking for fully funded scholarships in 2025 that don’t require IELTS? Discover top international programs that accept alternative English tests or none at all—plus tips to apply and study abroad stress-free. But here’s the good news: you can still secure a fully funded scholarship without taking the IELTS.

In this ultimate 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—top scholarships that don’t require IELTS, countries where it’s waived, alternative proof of English proficiency, and step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Learn how to apply for top fully funded scholarships in 2025 without taking IELTS or any English test.

Whether you’re looking at Germany, Canada, or Asia, we’ve got you covered. Ready to ditch IELTS and fund your education dreams? Let’s dive in.

What Are Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS?

Fully funded scholarships without IELTS are financial aid programs offered by universities or governments that cover tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes even travel costs, without requiring the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) as proof of English proficiency.

Traditionally, IELTS has been a standard requirement for non-native English speakers. However, more institutions now recognize other forms of proof, such as

• Medium of Instruction (MOI) Letters: From your previous university stating English was the language of instruction.

• Alternative Exams: such as the Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or university-conducted interviews.

• English Proficiency Certificates: Issued by your college.

This trend is growing due to global demand for inclusivity and accessibility in education, especially in Europe, Asia, and Canada. It’s now entirely possible to pursue a world-class education, fully funded and IELTS-free.

Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS in 2025

1. DAAD EPOS Scholarships—Germany

• Degree Level: Master’s

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: Medium of Instruction Letter or university language certificate

• Funding: Tuition, living expenses, travel allowance

• Deadline: Varies by course, mostly Sep–Oct 2025/6

Focus on development-related fields like public policy, environment, and engineering.

2. MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship—Japan

• Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: MOI letter or Japanese language proficiency (optional)

• Funding: Tuition, airfare, monthly stipend

• Deadline: May–June 2026

Apply through your country’s Japanese embassy for higher chances.

3. CSC Scholarships—China

• Degree Level: Master’s, PhD

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: MOI letter or university interview

• Funding: Tuition, dormitory, living stipend, health insurance

• Deadline: March–April 2026

Choose universities already offering English-medium programs.

4. Türkiye Bursları—Turkey

• Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: MOI letter or interview

• Funding: Tuition, housing, monthly stipend, airfare

• Deadline: Jan.–Feb. 2026

Also includes one year of Turkish language learning (even for English programs).

5. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

• Degree Level: PhD

• IELTS Required: No (with waiver from host university)

• Alternative Accepted: MOI letter or language waiver confirmation

• Funding: $50,000/year for 3 years

• Deadline: Nov 1, 2025/6

Work with a supervisor before applying—internal nomination required.

6. Schwarzman Scholars Program—China

• Degree Level: Master’s (Global Affairs)

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: TOEFL/Duolingo or waiver if English was your instruction medium

• Funding: Tuition, room and board, travel, stipend

• Deadline: Sep 2025/6

Leadership and work experience are key selection factors.

7. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship—France

• Degree Level: Master’s, PhD

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: Proof of English-medium instruction

• Funding: Monthly stipend, tuition, travel

• Deadline: January 2025/6

Apply through your desired French institution, not directly.

8. University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship

• Degree Level: Master’s, PhD

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: MOI letter

• Funding: Full tuition, accommodation, and monthly allowance

• Deadline: Feb.–March 2025/6

Brunei is a hidden gem with English-medium instruction.

9. Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship

• Degree Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, Postdoc

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: University-issued English proficiency certificate

• Funding: Tuition, monthly stipend, medical support

• Deadline: February 2025/6

Focus on STEM, health, and development fields.

10. Hungary Government Scholarship (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

• IELTS Required: No

• Alternative Accepted: Medium of Instruction letter

• Funding: Full tuition, accommodation, health insurance, monthly stipend

• Deadline: Jan 2025/6

Prioritize universities with English-taught programs.

Where Can You Study Without IELTS?

Study in Germany Without IELTS

• Germany is one of the most IELTS-flexible countries.

• Many public universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter instead.

• Scholarships like DAAD and university-specific programs often waive IELTS for students from English-speaking universities.

• Target programs explicitly state, “English-medium applicants may be exempt from IELTS.”

Study in Canada Without IELTS

• IELTS isn’t mandatory at every university, especially at the graduate level.

• Universities like Brock, Carleton, and Memorial accept MOI or waive IELTS based on internal assessments.

• Scholarships: Vanier, university-funded assistantships.

• Always check with the department—waivers often vary by faculty.

Study in Japan Without IELTS

• The MEXT scholarship doesn’t require IELTS at all.

• Most programs in Japan use interviews or internal tests instead.

• Japanese universities often provide pre-admission language support.

• English-taught programs (EJU track) are IELTS-optional.

Study in China Without IELTS

• Chinese universities like Tsinghua, Peking, and Zhejiang accept MOI or internal interviews.

• The CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship) explicitly allows alternatives.

• Duolingo and TOEFL are often accepted, too.

• Look for “English-Medium Programs” in each university’s international section.

Study in Turkey Without IELTS

• Türkiye Bursları is one of the most flexible scholarship programs.

• MOI or proof of English instruction is sufficient.

• Some universities offer English placement exams on arrival.

• Highlight your English-medium degree and request a waiver in your application.

Study in France Without IELTS

• Scholarships like Eiffel Excellence accept English-medium proof.

• Many master’s programs are now fully taught in English.

• Pro Tip: Choose universities with “Track in English” labels and include MOI with your application.

Study in Brunei Without IELTS

• English is the primary language of instruction in most universities.

• The University of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship doesn’t require IELTS.

• An MOI letter usually suffices, and no additional tests are needed.

How to Apply for Scholarships Without IELTS (Step-by-Step Guide)

Applying for fully funded scholarships without IELTS is not as complex as it sounds if you know the exact steps and what documents to prepare. Here’s a simplified walkthrough that works across most universities and scholarship programs.

Step 1: Shortlist IELTS-Free Scholarships

• Use lists like ours or scholarship search engines.

• Filter for those accepting Medium of Instruction (MOI) or other language alternatives.

Step 2: Gather Proof of English Proficiency

• Ask your university for a Medium of Instruction Letter (MOI), clearly stating that your course was taught in English.

• OR, take the Duolingo English Test (accepted by 4,000+ universities globally).

• Optional: Include certificates from any English courses or public speaking programs you’ve taken.

Step 3: Prepare Scholarship Application Documents

• Updated CV (Europass format if applying in Europe)

• Statement of Purpose (SOP) / Motivation Letter

• Recommendation Letters

• Academic transcripts

• Passport copy

• Proof of language proficiency (MOI/Duolingo/etc.)

Step 4: Check University Requirements & Contact Admissions

• Some universities allow waivers only upon request, so email them!

• Ask, “Can I be exempted from IELTS if I provide a Medium of Instruction letter?”

Step 5: Submit the Application

• Apply directly through university portals or national scholarship platforms (e.g., DAAD, CSC, MEXT).

• Ensure you meet the deadlines—they vary widely by country and program.

Step 6: Prepare for Interviews (If Required)

• Some programs skip IELTS but conduct online interviews to assess your English.

Step 7: Apply for a Student Visa

• Some countries may still request proof of English for visa purposes (Duolingo or TOEFL might be handy here).

• Include your university admission letter and MOI when applying.

Alternatives to IELTS Accepted by These Scholarships

If you’re skipping IELTS, you’ll need to prove your English skills in another way. Fortunately, many scholarships and universities now accept several alternatives—some are even easier and more affordable than IELTS!

1. Medium of Instruction (MOI) Letter

• A letter from your previous university confirming that your entire course was taught in English.

• Most widely accepted alternative across Europe, Asia, and Turkey.

• Format: Include your name, program, years of study, and medium of instruction, signed/stamped by the registrar or dean.

2. Duolingo English Test

• Cost-effective (~$59), taken online from home.

• Accepted by 4,000+ universities worldwide.

• Fast results (within 48 hours), including speaking and writing sections.

• Pro Tip: Scholarships like Schwarzman and some CSC universities accept it as proof.

3. TOEFL or PTE

• Still official tests, but more flexible than IELTS in structure.

• Often cheaper or easier to schedule.

• TOEFL iBT is widely accepted for visas and university admissions.

4. English Proficiency Certificate from Your University

• If your university doesn’t issue a formal MOI, they may still issue a custom letter.

• Include the name of the course, language used, and a short description of English assessments.

5. Online Interview / Language Assessment

• Some scholarships (like MEXT and CSC) conduct online interviews to verify your English level.

• These interviews replace the need for formal test scores.

FAQs

Can I get a scholarship without IELTS?

Yes! Many fully funded scholarships accept alternative proof of English proficiency, such as a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter, Duolingo English Test, or a university-issued certificate. Countries like Germany, Turkey, China, and Japan offer numerous options.

What is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter?

An MOI letter is a document from your previous educational institution confirming that your course was conducted entirely in English. It’s widely accepted as an IELTS alternative for scholarship and admission purposes.

Which countries offer scholarships without IELTS?

Countries like Germany, Canada, Japan, China, Turkey, France, Hungary, and Brunei frequently offer fully funded scholarships that don’t require IELTS, especially if you provide an MOI letter or pass an internal interview.

Is Duolingo accepted for scholarships?

Yes! The Duolingo English Test is accepted by thousands of universities and is gaining popularity among scholarship providers as a cost-effective and flexible alternative to IELTS.

Can I apply for a student visa without IELTS?

In many countries, yes. Visa authorities may accept your university’s admission letter and language waiver documents (like MOI or Duolingo scores). However, requirements vary by country, so always check the visa guidelines.

Do I still need to prove English proficiency for English-taught programs?

Usually, yes. Even if a course is in English, you must demonstrate proficiency. The good news? You don’t always need IELTS to do it.

Free Scholarship Checklist + Download

Ready to Apply? Don’t Miss a Deadline.
We’ve created a free downloadable checklist that includes:

✅ Names of scholarships without IELTS
✅ Degree levels and funding details
✅ Application deadlines for 2025
✅ IELTS alternatives accepted by each
✅ Bonus tips to boost your chances

[Click here to download your checklist (PDF)]
You can print it, mark your deadlines, and stay organized as you begin your study-abroad journey.

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You Don’t Need IELTS to Win a Scholarship

Studying abroad no longer needs to be blocked by expensive language exams. Whether it’s Germany, Japan, China, or Canada, there are plenty of fully funded scholarships in 2025 that don’t require IELTS—and you now know exactly how to find and apply for them.

With alternatives like MOI letters, Duolingo, or even university interviews, you’ve got flexible, legitimate ways to prove your English skills. More importantly, you’ve got the roadmap to access some of the world’s best education for free.

So don’t wait. Start shortlisting programs, gather your documents, and download your scholarship checklist today.

Your future without IELTS is possible—and it’s waiting.