In 2026, a lot of the most popular scholarships in the world no longer require the IELTS or TOEFL. Instead, they accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates or other tests like the Duolingo English Test (DET). This is especially helpful for students from countries where English is the official language or for those who have already earned a degree in English.
This is your guide to “No-IELTS” scholarship paths for 2026 and 2027.
1. Best Government Scholarships Without IELTS
If you meet certain requirements, you can apply to these prestigious, fully funded programs without having to take a standard English test.
- Turkey Burslari:
- The Deal: You can apply for free. The package includes a year-long Turkish language course, so you don’t need to take the IELTS to be chosen.
- Condition: If you choose a programme taught in English, you may be asked for a waiver or other proof later, but such documentation is not required for the first scholarship selection.
- The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS):
- The Deal: The Korean government puts a lot of value on academic potential. Like Turkey, they require a year of Korean before you start your degree, so you don’t need to be fluent in English.
- Hungary’s Stipendium Hungaricum:
- The Deal: Many Hungarian universities will accept a MOI Certificate instead of IELTS. Your last university has provided a letter confirming your English instruction.
- Japan’s MEXT Scholarship:
- The Deal: Many embassy tracks for “Research Students” will accept internal university assessments or MOI proof instead of the $250 IELTS certificate.
2. The “MOI Waiver” Ways (UK, Canada, Australia)
Many 2026/2027 university scholarships will not require you to take an English test at all if you have a degree from an English-speaking country, such as Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya.
- In the UK, universities like Sheffield Hallam, Plymouth, and Northumbria often don’t require IELTS from students who can show that their previous education was in English.
- Scholarship Focus: The Global Futures Scholarship at Manchester and Think Big at Bristol will accept these waivers from students who meet the requirements.
- In Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, and Memorial University of Newfoundland are well-known for accepting “English Medium” proof for 2026 admissions and local merit awards.
- Australia: The University of Adelaide and the University of Queensland often look at both your past academic performance and a MOI letter when deciding who to give scholarships to.
3. Other Ways to Take the Test (Quick and Cheap)
If you would rather not take the IELTS or TOEFL, look for universities that accept the Duolingo English Test (DET).
- Why DET in 2026? It costs about $59 (IELTS costs $250 or more), can be taken on your phone or laptop in an hour, and you get your results in 48 hours.
- Over 5,000 schools around the world, including NYU, Northeastern, and many UK universities, now accept DET for both admission and scholarship eligibility.
4. A “No-IELTS” Checklist for 2026
- To get your MOI Letter, go to the registrar’s office at your old university and ask for an official “English Medium of Instruction Certificate”. Keep the certificate on your phone as a digital file.
- Check “Bilateral” Agreements: The Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) takes care of Bilateral Education Agreements (BEA) with countries like Russia, Morocco, and Algeria for Nigerians. These programmes never require IELTS as they include a mandatory local language year.
- WAEC/NECO Scores: In 2026, many universities in the UK and Canada will still accept a C6 or higher in WAEC/NECO English as a direct replacement for IELTS.
Final Thoughts
If you would rather not take the IELTS today, the Türkiye Burslari (for full funding) or Stipendium Hungaricum are your best bets. If you’re looking at the UK or Canada, focus on universities that will accept MOI letters or WAEC C6 results so you can get your 2026 merit funding.
