Top 20 Scholarships That Don't Require IELTS

## Introduction One of the biggest barriers for international students applying for scholarships is the English language test requirement. Tests like IELTS and TOEFL can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. The good news is that many **top scholarships do not require IELTS or TOEFL** at all. In this guide, we list **20 prestigious scholarships that you can apply for without IELTS** in 2026. These are fully funded or partially funded opportunities at top universities worldwide. --- ## Why Scholarships Without IELTS Matter IELTS and TOEFL tests present several challenges for international students: - **Cost:** IELTS costs around $250, TOEFL costs around $200 - **Preparation time:** 2-4 months of intensive study - **Limited test centers** in some countries - **Score validity:** Results expire after 2 years - **Test anxiety:** Many talented students perform poorly under test pressure Scholarships that waive IELTS requirements open doors for students who are proficient in English but may not have test scores. --- ## 20 Top Scholarships That Don't Require IELTS ### 1. Turkiye Burslari (Turkish Government Scholarship) - **Degree Level:** Undergraduate, Masters, PhD - **Coverage:** Full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, flights, health insurance - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required — Turkish language course provided - **Deadline:** January-February annually ### 2. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) - **Degree Level:** All levels - **Coverage:** Full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required for Chinese-taught programs; some English programs waive it - **Available Programs:** Over 30,000 scholarships annually ### 3. Korean Government Scholarship (KGSP) - **Degree Level:** Undergraduate and Graduate - **Coverage:** Full tuition, monthly stipend, flights, settlement allowance - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required — Korean language training provided ### 4. MEXT Scholarship (Japan) - **Degree Level:** Undergraduate, Masters, PhD - **Coverage:** Full tuition, monthly allowance, flights - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required — own entrance exam used ### 5. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary) - **Degree Level:** All levels - **Coverage:** Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation - **IELTS Requirement:** Some programs accept alternatives or interview-based assessment ### 6. Romanian Government Scholarship - **Degree Level:** All levels - **Coverage:** Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required — language proficiency assessed differently ### 7. MOFCOM Scholarship (China) - **Degree Level:** Masters and PhD - **Coverage:** Full funding - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required for Chinese-medium programs ### 8. University of Padua Scholarship (Italy) - **Degree Level:** Masters and PhD - **Coverage:** Tuition waiver and living stipend - **IELTS Requirement:** Some programs accept English medium instruction certificates ### 9. Brunei Government Scholarship - **Degree Level:** Undergraduate and Masters - **Coverage:** Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required ### 10. Mexican Government Scholarship - **Degree Level:** Masters and PhD - **Coverage:** Full tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance - **IELTS Requirement:** Not typically required ### 11. Azerbaijan Government Scholarship - **Coverage:** Full tuition and monthly stipend - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required ### 12. Thai Government Scholarship - **Coverage:** Full tuition, monthly allowance, airfare - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required for most programs ### 13. University of Bologna Scholarship (Italy) - **Degree Level:** Masters - **Coverage:** Tuition waiver and €11,000 study grant - **IELTS Requirement:** English-medium instruction certificate may suffice ### 14. KAIST Scholarship (South Korea) - **Degree Level:** Masters and PhD - **Coverage:** Full tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance - **IELTS Requirement:** Not always required ### 15. Lund University Global Scholarship (Sweden) - **Degree Level:** Masters - **Coverage:** 25-100% tuition reduction - **IELTS Requirement:** English-medium instruction certificate accepted ### 16. University of Twente Scholarship (Netherlands) - **Degree Level:** Masters - **Coverage:** €6,000-25,000 - **IELTS Requirement:** Some exemptions for English-medium graduates ### 17. Sciences Po Emile Boutmy Scholarship (France) - **Degree Level:** Undergraduate and Masters - **Coverage:** Tuition waiver - **IELTS Requirement:** Not always required for English-medium graduates ### 18. Nanyang Technological University Scholarship (Singapore) - **Degree Level:** PhD - **Coverage:** Full tuition and monthly stipend - **IELTS Requirement:** May be waived for English-medium graduates ### 19. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (Switzerland) - **Degree Level:** Masters - **Coverage:** Living costs and tuition - **IELTS Requirement:** Not required if previous education was in English ### 20. Rotary Peace Fellowship - **Degree Level:** Masters and Certificate - **Coverage:** Full tuition, living costs, internship - **IELTS Requirement:** Not explicitly required --- ## Alternatives to IELTS That Many Scholarships Accept If a scholarship does require English proficiency proof, these alternatives are often accepted: - **Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate** — letter from your university confirming your program was taught in English - **Duolingo English Test** — cheaper and can be taken online from home - **PTE Academic** — accepted by many universities - **Cambridge English Qualifications** — C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency - **University's own English test** — some conduct their own assessment --- ## Eligibility Requirements Common requirements for these scholarships include: - **Strong academic record** — minimum GPA varies by scholarship - **Nationality** — some are restricted to specific countries - **Age limits** — some have maximum age requirements - **Study plan or research proposal** - **Letters of recommendation** - **Motivation letter or personal statement** --- ## How to Apply ### Step 1: Check If IELTS Is Truly Waived Read the scholarship requirements carefully. Sometimes IELTS is "preferred but not required." ### Step 2: Prepare Alternative English Proof Even without IELTS, prepare evidence of English proficiency such as an MOI certificate or Duolingo score. ### Step 3: Strengthen Other Parts of Your Application Without IELTS scores, your essays, recommendations, and academic record become even more important. ### Step 4: Apply Early Submit your applications well before deadlines to avoid last-minute issues. --- ## Tips to Increase Your Chances - **Get a Medium of Instruction certificate** from your university as a backup - **Consider taking Duolingo English Test** — it is cheaper ($59) and can be taken at home - **Focus on your essay quality** — it carries more weight when test scores are absent - **Apply to multiple scholarships** — diversify your chances - **Highlight your English skills** in your CV through publications, presentations, or work experience in English --- ## Use ScholarPath AI to Find Scholarships Without IELTS **ScholarPath AI** can filter scholarships based on your specific requirements, including those that do not need IELTS scores. {{SCHOLARSHIP_FINDER}} --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I get a scholarship without IELTS? Yes! Many prestigious scholarships like Turkiye Burslari, CSC, KGSP, and MEXT do not require IELTS. ### Is Duolingo accepted instead of IELTS? More and more universities and scholarships accept Duolingo English Test as an alternative to IELTS. It is cheaper and can be taken online. ### What is a Medium of Instruction certificate? It is a letter from your university confirming that your degree program was taught in English. Many scholarships accept this as proof of English proficiency. ### Should I still take IELTS even if it is not required? If you can afford it, having an IELTS score strengthens your application. But it is not necessary for scholarships that explicitly waive it. --- ## Conclusion Not having an IELTS score should never stop you from applying for scholarships. These 20 opportunities prove that there are excellent fully funded scholarships available without English test requirements. Focus on building a strong application with compelling essays, solid academic records, and clear career goals. **Find more scholarships that match your profile.** [Try ScholarPath AI](/scholarship-finder). > **Related Articles:** > - [How to Study in Canada Without IELTS](/blog/how-to-study-in-canada-without-ielts) > - [IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Test Should You Take?](/blog/ielts-vs-toefl-which-english-test) > - [Best Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS](/blog/best-fully-funded-scholarships-without-ielts-2026)