How to Apply for Scholarships Without IELTS or TOEFL — (Plus Top Universities That Don’t Require Them)

Many ask, Is it possible to apply for scholarships without IELTS OR TOEFL, and what universities offer such opportunities? Or, how and where can I apply for scholarships that don’t require me to take the IELTS or TOEFL?

For many students pursuing studies abroad, IELTS or TOEFL often seems nonnegotiable. They are expensive, stressful, and traveling to write them is tough to schedule—especially if you live somewhere where the test centers are far or limited. But here’s a truth many don’t know: not every scholarship or university requires those tests. Increasingly, institutions accept alternate proof of English-language ability or waive the requirement entirely in certain cases.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how you can still apply for scholarships without IELTS/TOEFL—what alternatives work, top universities that do not require them, and how to make your application strong even without those certificates.

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Why Scholarships May Waive IELTS/TOEFL

Some scholarship bodies recognize that requiring IELTS or TOEFL creates a barrier, especially for students in places where test centers are scarce or the fees are prohibitive. So instead of these tests, they allow you to prove your English skills by other means, like showing you studied in English, or giving you an in-house English interview.

In fact, several scholarship listings already advertise “scholarships without IELTS” as a feature. And some scholarship bodies explicitly accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, which is a letter from your previous institution confirming that the program was taught in English. Still, it’s not universal. For example, the Türkiye Scholarships site states that “candidates who wish to study in English programs must provide an internationally accepted language proficiency certificate (TOEFL or equivalent)” in some situations. So here’s what you need to know: even when scholarships say they waive IELTS, individual universities or departments might still require it. Always check the program-level rules.

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Scholarship Test Alternatives When Seeking How to Apply for Scholarships Without IELTS or TOEFL

Instead of worrying that IELTS or TOEFL are your only options, here’s how to apply for a scholarship without IELTS and TOEFL using other credible alternatives:

1. Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate

This is a document that is being given by your university that confirms the language you were taught. This demonstrates their proficiency in the English language when applying to a school abroad as an international student. Ask your school or university for a letter stating that your courses were taught in English. This is perhaps the most common alternative.

2. Internal English Assessments/Interviews

Some universities or scholarship committees now run their own English language assessments instead of asking for IELTS or TOEFL. These are often short online tests or interviews that check your reading, writing, listening, and speaking. They’re accepted directly by the universities, making them a faster, cheaper, and less stressful option. For example, several UK universities use these internal tests to admit international students who don’t have IELTS. 

3. Alternative English Tests

Some institutions may accept tests like the Duolingo English Test, the Cambridge English Qualification, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, and the Occupational English Test (OET). These alternatives depend on the specific requirements asked by the school you are applying to, so always make sure to check on time.

4. Test-optional policies/waivers

Some universities in the U.S., like the University of Southern California (USC), Bucknell University, etc, now follow what’s called a test-optional policy. This means you don’t always need IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, or ACT scores to apply. Instead, schools that offer this allow you to choose if you want to submit any of these tests, and if not, they focus on other application areas like your grades, essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars.

Each scholarship may accept one or more of these, so you need to verify what that particular scholarship allows.

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How to Prepare Scholarship Application – Find and Verify Scholarships on Our YouTube Channel:

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Some of the Top Scholarships/Universities without IELTS/TOEFL Requirements

1. Türkiye Scholarships (Turkey Bursları)

Türkiye Scholarships is a major, fully funded program that supports students from many countries. The program expects applicants to meet the language needs of the program they apply to, but it also runs many English-taught programs and accepts equivalent proof of language where appropriate. In practice, that means some applicants can use a Medium of Instruction letter or other accepted certificates instead of IELTS or TOEFL, but you must check the chosen program page first.

Check out this fully funded Turkish government scholarship. Click here to apply now.

2. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

Hungary’s Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship routinely accepts a range of English proofs. Many course pages explicitly list accepted options: standard tests, Duolingo, and other proctored exams, or a certificate showing your program was taught in English. If you do not have a formal certificate, they often set up an online interview or placement test to check your English. That makes it one of the most reliable scholarships for applicants who lack IELTS or TOEFL scores.

3. DAAD and selected German scholarships

DAAD-funded programs and many public German universities publish flexible language rules. For English-taught programs, DAAD lists accepted certificates such as Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL, and equivalents, and course pages sometimes accept proof of English medium instruction or internal assessment. Germany is strong for applicants who can show prior study in English or are ready to take a university interview. Click here to check out German universities’ scholarships you can apply for without IELTS or TOEFL

4. Chinese Government Scholarship / China Scholarship Council

China offers many fully funded CSC scholarships, and individual universities handle language requirements. Several English-taught programs accept alternatives to IELTS, like Duolingo or institutional proof, and some CSC application pages explicitly note that IELTS is not strictly mandatory when other credible English proof is provided. Still, many English programs do list minimum scores, so verify the faculty page for the program you target. Click here to read the full details about the scholarship and apply.

5. MEXT Japan (Japanese Government Scholarship)

MEXT scholarship selection often involves national embassy screening or university-level checks, where English language ability can be proven in different ways. The official MEXT guidelines show English as a qualifying exam in several tracks rather than a fixed IELTS or TOEFL requirement. In short, MEXT often accepts certificates, exam results, or internal English tests depending on the scholarship type and the host university. Confirm the course guide for the exact placement and language rules. Click here to see other MEXT scholarship opportunities.

 6. Chevening Scholarships (UK)

Chevening is one of the most popular fully funded scholarships for master’s students in the UK. While many UK universities traditionally ask for IELTS or TOEFL, Chevening makes room for flexibility. A good number of partner universities now accept proof of English medium instruction (MOI) or conduct their own internal English assessments instead of standardized tests. This means you can secure a Chevening award and meet the university’s requirement without IELTS or TOEFL, provided you choose a program that clearly lists alternative language options.

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How to Build a Strong Scholarship Application When Applying Without IELTS or TOEFL

Even when applying for scholarships without an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, your scholarship application must communicate that your English is solid. Here are some ways to make that possible:

• Request the MOI (Medium of Instruction) certificate early.
  Most top universities without IELTS or TOEFL accept an official Medium of Instruction letter from your school. Getting this early proves that your entire education was in English and can strengthen your scholarship application without IELTS.
• Make sure transcripts show courses in English (course titles, notes).
  When applying for scholarships without IELTS, details on your transcript matter. If course titles, comments, or grading notes are in English, it signals to universities that you are already prepared to study without needing IELTS or TOEFL.
• In your essays or personal statement, show that you’ve done work, writing, reading, or projects in English.
  A personal statement is more than a formality; it’s a chance to prove fluency. Students targeting scholarships without TOEFL or IELTS can use essays to highlight English-based projects, research papers, or internships.
• Ask recommenders to comment on your communication skills in English.
  Strong recommendation letters can tip the scales. For scholarships without IELTS requirements, a professor confirming that you actively participated and communicated in English is a solid substitute for test scores.
• Be ready for interviews or tests by the scholarship committee.
  Top universities that don’t require IELTS often replace it with interviews or short online tests. Treat these as your chance to show fluency and secure the scholarship without IELTS or TOEFL, so always prepare well.
• When in doubt, contact the scholarship office or department to ask
  Every program is different. Reaching out directly to ask if they accept any other alternatives if you do not have IELTS or TOEFL shows initiative, and some universities without IELTS requirements will confirm alternatives like Duolingo, MOI, or internal exams.

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What Comes Next for You?

Not having IELTS or TOEFL does not shut the door on global scholarships. You just need to be strategic. Start by shortlisting programs that openly waive IELTS or accept a Medium of Instruction certificate or present proof of your English ability in other credible ways. Use this article as a starting point for your research, then double-check details with the specific department or scholarship office. Most importantly, apply boldly; your English skills can be proven in more ways than one. With diligence, you can still find great opportunities.

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