In 2026, it will be much easier for students who want to skip the IELTS to get scholarships around the world. Many countries and universities now put “English Proficiency Alternatives” at the top of their list of things to do. They know that standardised tests can be expensive and hard to get.
To get a scholarship without taking the IELTS, you can use Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates, go after certain government awards, or use modern digital options.
1. Use the “Medium of Instruction” (MOI) Certificate.
This option is the most common and effective way to get rid of the IELTS requirement in 2026. A letter from your old university called an ‘MOI certificate’ says that all of your classes and tests were in English.
- Where it works: Very popular in Germany, Italy, France, and Poland.
- How to obtain it: Get in touch with your university’s registrar or dean of student affairs. The letter must be on official letterhead, have a stamp, and be signed.
- The “2-Year Rule”: If you have studied at an English-medium school for at least two years, some top scholarships, like the Schwarzman Scholars (China/USA), will not require you to take English tests.
2. Countries that use “Preparatory Year” models as their main way to teach
Some governments offer fully funded scholarships that include a free year of language study, so you don’t have to take an English test when you apply.
- You don’t need IELTS for Türkiye scholarships (Turkey). If you receive acceptance, the government will cover the cost of a full year of Turkish language classes before you begin your degree.
- For undergraduate and some research programs, MEXT often includes a year of language and culture studies in Japan. This means you can apply without having to pass a high English test.
- Hungarian Government (Stipendium Hungaricum): Many schools in Hungary will accept an internal university interview or an MOI certificate instead of a formal IELTS score.
3. Digital Options: Duolingo and PTE
If a university requires a test but you would rather not pay a lot of money and wait a long time for IELTS, many schools in 2026 have switched to digital exams that are cheaper and faster.
- More than 4,000 schools around the world now accept the Duolingo English Test (DET), including top schools like Yale, Imperial College London, and the University of Toronto. You can take it from home, and it costs a lot less than IELTS.
- The Pearson PTE Academic is fully accepted for student visas in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. It is known for getting results quickly, usually within 48 hours.
4. Direct Institutional Waivers in Canada and the UK
In 2026, several colleges in the UK and Canada will let you skip classes based on your high school English grades.
- If you got a “C6” or “70%+” on your high school English exit exams, many UK universities (like the University of Sheffield and the University of Kent) will not require you to take the IELTS.
- The “Internal Test” Strategy: After you apply, some universities in the Netherlands and Germany give you free online English tests that you can take instead of having to get an IELTS score from someone else.
5. Scholarships with no IELTS that pay for everything in 2026
These big programs are known for being flexible when it comes to standardised English tests.
- DAAD (Germany): If your last degree was in English, many postgraduate programmes will accept an MOI certificate.
- Erasmus Mundus (Europe): Because these are groups from different universities, many programs will either accept a MOI or do a Zoom interview to check your English skills.
- KNB Scholarship (Indonesia): A fully funded award for 2026 that pays for tuition and living expenses. Many applicants do not have to take the IELTS test.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right country to apply for scholarships without IELTS in 2026 is a matter of strategy. Put your energy into Germany, Turkey, and Hungary, where MOI certificates and preparatory years are common. If you have to take a test, the Duolingo English Test is the best choice because it is cheap and accepted around the world. Always make sure your MOI certificate is ready by May 2026. This will be your main tool for getting waivers during the busiest application season.
