15 Fully-Funded Scholarships That Offer IELTS Waivers
If you dream of studying abroad through fully-funded scholarships but feel limited by the IELTS requirement, here’s some good news. You can still achieve your goal without taking IELTS or TOEFL. Many fully-funded scholarships now accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate from your previous university instead.
In simple terms, if your last degree was taught in English, you may qualify for an IELTS waiver when applying for admission or scholarships abroad.
Important: The IELTS waiver is granted by the host university, not the scholarship provider. Always check with the university before you apply.
What Is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate?
An MOI Certificate is an official letter from your university confirming that your entire course was taught in English.
For students from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India, and Pakistan, this document is usually enough to meet English-language requirements.
To learn how to request one, you can check this guide: How to Get an MOI Certificate for Scholarship Applications
15 Fully-Funded Scholarships That Offer IELTS Waivers
These scholarship programs cover tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and even airfare.
Most importantly, they allow you to apply without IELTS if you provide a valid MOI certificate or pass an alternative English evaluation.
To make this easier to navigate, the list is divided into two categories.
Government & National Scholarships
| NO | Scholarship Name | Host Country | Typical Waiver Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) | China | MOI Certificate from your previous university is widely accepted. |
| 2 | MEXT Scholarship | Japan | MOI Certificate and proof that your prior course was English-taught. |
| 3 | Türkiye Bursları Scholarship (YTB) | Turkey | MOI Certificate or a short online English interview. |
| 4 | Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | MOI Certificate or successful Skype/Zoom interview with the university. |
| 5 | Azerbaijan Government Scholarship | Azerbaijan | MOI Certificate from previous university is usually enough. |
| 6 | Russian Government Scholarship (Open Doors) | Russia | Portfolio/interview assessment for English-taught programs. |
| 7 | Czech Republic Government Scholarship | Czech Republic | MOI Certificate plus short English proficiency interview. |
| 8 | DAAD Scholarship (EPOS Programme) | Germany | Host university may grant waiver with MOI Certificate (depends on course). |
University & Foundation Scholarships
| NO | Scholarship Name | Host Country | Typical Waiver Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | Canada, UK, US, Africa | MOI Certificate widely accepted at partner schools like University of Edinburgh and KNUST. |
| 10 | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | UK | University of Cambridge grants waiver if your degree was recently completed in English. |
| 11 | Reach Oxford Scholarship | UK | University of Oxford may grant waiver if you studied recently in an English-speaking country. |
| 12 | Clarendon Fund Scholarship | UK | Similar to Oxford’s policy — waiver possible with recent English-medium education. |
| 13 | University of Aberdeen Scholarships | UK | Accepts MOI Certificate if your degree was completed in English within the last five years. |
| 14 | MBZUAI Scholarships | UAE (Abu Dhabi) | Fully funded AI degrees — accepts MOI Certificate instead of IELTS. |
| 15 | Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Scholarship | Global | Waiver depends on the admitting university’s MOI policy (note: 50% grant / 50% loan). |
Tips to Get an IELTS Waiver Easily
To make the process smoother, follow these steps carefully:
- Request your MOI Certificate early from your university’s registrar or head of department.
- Ensure it clearly states that your entire degree was taught in English.
- Include supporting proof such as transcripts or a departmental letter.
- Email the university’s admissions office to confirm they’ll accept MOI in place of IELTS.
- Apply early to avoid missing deadlines due to documentation review.
Following these steps increases your chances of being accepted without IELTS.
Final Thoughts
In summary, getting a scholarship without IELTS is not only possible — it’s becoming more common.
Thanks to universities that recognize English-medium education, you can now focus on your academic goals rather than language tests.
Always double-check the language policy of your chosen university before submitting your scholarship application.
With proper preparation, you can study, live, and succeed abroad — no IELTS barrier needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I get a fully-funded scholarship without IELTS?
Yes. Many global scholarships accept students with a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate instead of IELTS.
2. What is an MOI Certificate?
It’s an official letter confirming your previous degree was taught entirely in English.
3. Do I need to write TOEFL or Duolingo instead?
Not necessarily. If your chosen university accepts MOI, you can skip both IELTS and TOEFL.
4. Is the waiver automatic?
No. It depends on each university’s admission rules, not the scholarship provider.
5. Which countries mostly accept MOI?
China, Turkey, Japan, Hungary, the UK (for certain universities), UAE, and Germany are known to accept it widely.
6. Can Nigerian students benefit from these scholarships?
Absolutely. Nigerian students regularly receive IELTS waivers using their MOI Certificate.
