Can You Get Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS in 2027? 21 Officially Verified Routes

Yes, international students can apply for several fully funded scholarships without submitting IELTS—but “without IELTS” does not always mean studying abroad without proving language proficiency.

Some scholarship organisations do not ask for IELTS during the funding application. Others accept TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English, Duolingo, an English-medium education certificate or an assessment conducted by the university. Certain government scholarships also allow recipients to complete a funded preparatory year before beginning a programme taught in Turkish, Korean, Chinese, Japanese or Romanian.

Chevening, for example, does not require an English-language test as part of its scholarship application, but applicants must still satisfy the admission policy of their selected UK university. TaiwanICDF similarly states that it has no separate English-test requirement while warning that participating universities may impose their own conditions.

The accurate answer is therefore:

A fully funded scholarship may be available without IELTS, but applicants must still check what the scholarship provider, university, academic programme and visa authority accept instead.

Information last verified: 13 July 2026

What Does “Without IELTS” Actually Mean?

The phrase generally refers to one of five possible situations.

1. IELTS is not required for the scholarship application

The scholarship provider evaluates candidates without asking for an IELTS score. The admitting university may still request language evidence before issuing an unconditional offer.

2. IELTS can be replaced by another examination

Accepted alternatives may include:

• TOEFL iBT
• PTE Academic
• Cambridge English
• Duolingo English Test
• A university-administered test

Brunei’s government scholarship, for example, accepts several school-level English qualifications and TOEFL alongside IELTS, while individual institutions may recognise their own proficiency examinations.

3. Previous English-medium education may qualify for a waiver

Some universities accept an official certificate confirming that an applicant’s previous degree was taught and assessed in English. This is commonly known as a Medium of Instruction, or MOI, certificate.

Acceptance is never automatic. The university may consider the applicant’s country, institution, length of study and whether both teaching and assessment were conducted in English.

4. The host university decides

Scholarships covering several universities—such as the Chinese Government Scholarship, Stipendium Hungaricum and Erasmus Mundus—cannot have one universal IELTS rule. Requirements differ by university and academic programme.

5. The programme is taught in another language

Romania, Türkiye, Japan, South Korea and China offer scholarship routes involving preparatory language training. IELTS may be irrelevant because the student is not entering an English-taught degree.

21 Fully Funded Scholarships With IELTS Waivers or Alternatives

1. TaiwanICDF International Higher Education Scholarship

Language route: No English test imposed by the scholarship organisation; university rules still apply.

The TaiwanICDF International Higher Education Scholarship supports selected undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes at partner universities in Taiwan.

TaiwanICDF explicitly states that it does not establish a separate English-proficiency-test requirement. However, applicants must satisfy the language and admission conditions of the university and degree programme they select.

The award can include tuition, accommodation, airfare, insurance, textbooks and a monthly allowance, subject to the programme’s official terms.

Next application period: Applications for the 2027 intake are scheduled from 1 December 2026 to 15 March 2027.

2. Chevening Scholarships

Language route: No English test required by Chevening; the UK university decides.

Chevening funds eligible one-year master’s degrees in the United Kingdom. The scholarship programme does not require candidates to submit an English-language score during the Chevening application.

Applicants must nevertheless secure an unconditional offer from an eligible UK university. That institution may require IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or another form of evidence before confirming admission.

Confirmed 2027 timeline: Applications open on 4 August 2026 and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

3. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

Language route: No IELTS certificate required for the scholarship application; university admission rules remain applicable.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission states that applicants do not need to submit IELTS or another English-language certificate when applying for a Commonwealth Scholarship.

A UK university may still require language evidence before admitting the candidate. Applicants should therefore verify the conditions of every course included in their study plan.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships generally support tuition, approved airfare and living expenses for eligible students from designated Commonwealth countries.

Next application period: The application window for study beginning in 2027 is expected to be announced during the second half of 2026. Applicants should wait for the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission notice rather than relying on estimated social-media deadlines.

Related Commonwealth opportunities

The same central scholarship policy also applies to Commonwealth PhD and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships: the commission does not impose IELTS at the scholarship-application stage, but participating universities can establish their own admission requirements.

4. Türkiye Scholarships

Language route: IELTS is required only when requested by the selected university or programme.

Türkiye Scholarships supports associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study. The programme can cover university placement, tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a monthly stipend, a Turkish-language course and a one-time flight ticket.

Its official application guidance lists an international language-test result only when the selected university or programme requires one. Scholarship recipients who do not hold C1-level Turkish certification normally attend a funded Turkish-language course.

Applicants targeting an English-taught programme must still examine the university’s language policy.

Confirmed 2027 application period: 10 January to 20 February 2027. Türkiye Scholarships operates its general application cycle during this annual window.

5. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship

Language route: The Hungarian host university decides; previous study in the programme’s language may be accepted as evidence.

Stipendium Hungaricum supports eligible bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s, doctoral and non-degree programmes at participating Hungarian institutions.

The official call requires applicants to meet the language standard set by the host institution. Where previous studies were completed in the language of the selected programme, applicants may be permitted to submit proof of that education instead of a standard test. Final acceptance remains with the university.

The scholarship normally includes tuition exemption, a stipend, medical coverage and accommodation support. Applicants should note that the allowance may not meet every personal living expense.

Expected 2027 timeline: The next call is likely to open during October or November 2026, with a deadline around January 2027. The previous competition closed on 15 January 2026, so the new dates must be reconfirmed once the 2027–2028 call is released.

6. Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship

Language route: IELTS is not a universal requirement; embassy examinations and university screening apply.

The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship supports undergraduate, research, master’s, doctoral, specialised-training and college-of-technology routes.

The official 2027 undergraduate guidelines do not list IELTS as a universal application document. Embassy screening instead includes document review, interviews and written examinations, including English and Japanese tests for relevant categories. Many recipients also undertake Japanese-language preparation.

Requirements vary between Embassy Recommendation and University Recommendation routes.

Application timeline: Embassy Recommendation applications for 2027 have already opened or closed in many countries. Applicants who missed this cycle should monitor their local Japanese embassy for the 2028 call, which is expected during 2027.

7. Global Korea Scholarship

Language route: No single IELTS policy applies to every track or university.

The Global Korea Scholarship funds undergraduate and graduate study through embassy and university application tracks. The Korean government publishes central guidelines, but participating universities can impose additional academic and language conditions.

An English score may strengthen an application, while Korean proficiency can lead to exemptions from some preparatory-language requirements. Applicants should not assume that every GKS university will accept an MOI certificate.

Expected application periods:

• Undergraduate competition: guidelines generally appear around late August or September 2026
• Graduate competition: guidelines generally appear around late January or February 2027

Official Korean education offices describe these as the programme’s usual annual announcement periods.

8. Chinese Government Scholarship

Language route: MOI, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Chinese proficiency or an institutional assessment may be accepted, depending on the university.

The Chinese Scholarship Council administers the Chinese Government Scholarship, but candidates apply through embassies, government authorities or designated Chinese universities. Consequently, language requirements are institution-specific.

Several official Chinese university pages demonstrate that IELTS is not the only route:

• China University of Geosciences accepts IELTS, TOEFL or evidence that previous education was conducted in English.
• Zhejiang University of Technology lists IELTS, TOEFL and an English-medium instruction certificate among accepted options.
• China University of Petroleum allows applicants to submit an official letter confirming that their previous programme was taught in English.
• Sun Yat-sen University also permits qualifying applicants to document previous English-medium education.

This does not mean every CSC university accepts MOI. Applicants must read the exact admission notice for their university and degree.

Expected 2027 timeline: Most university and bilateral routes are expected between November 2026 and March or April 2027. Deadlines are not centralised. For comparison, Dalian University of Technology accepted its previous university-program applications from November to mid-February.

9. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships

Language route: Each consortium sets its own policy.

Erasmus Mundus consists of separate international master’s programmes operated by university consortia. Students apply directly to the programme rather than through one central scholarship form.

Some programmes accept an MOI certificate or another language test. Others insist on a minimum IELTS or TOEFL score. The European Commission advises candidates to consult each master’s programme for entry requirements and application procedures.

Full scholarships may contribute toward participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living support.

Next application period: Most 2027-entry competitions are expected to operate from October 2026 to January 2027, although individual deadlines differ.

10. Romanian Government MFA Scholarship

Language route: Romanian-language study with a funded preparatory year.

The Romanian Government Scholarship provides one of the clearest routes for students who do not hold IELTS and are willing to study in another language.

Bachelor’s and master’s scholarship programmes are normally taught in Romanian. Successful applicants who do not speak Romanian receive a preparatory language year. Doctoral study may be available in Romanian or another language, depending on the doctoral school.

This route should be described as a non-English study opportunity—not as an English-taught scholarship with no language requirement.

Expected 2027 application period: February to March 2027. The previous official window ran from 16 February to 31 March 2026, and new dates must be confirmed after the Romanian authorities release the next call.

11. Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship

Language route: IELTS alternatives accepted.

The Government of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship supports study at participating Bruneian institutions. Applicants can demonstrate English ability through several recognised routes.

Official requirements include qualifications such as GCE or IGCSE English, IELTS and TOEFL. Universiti Brunei Darussalam also recognises its English Proficiency Test for certain admission routes.

It is therefore more accurate to call Brunei an IELTS-alternative scholarship rather than a scholarship without any English requirement.

Next application period: The 2027 dates have not yet been officially published. Applicants should monitor the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship announcement rather than assuming that dates from an earlier cycle remain valid.

12. Australia Awards Scholarships

Language route: TOEFL and PTE may replace IELTS, subject to the applicant’s country profile.

Australia Awards Scholarships are administered through the Australian Government and commonly include tuition, return travel, establishment support, living expenses and health cover.

English requirements differ by participating country. The official Pakistan country profile, for example, recognises IELTS, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic. Applicants must follow the score and testing rules published for their own country.

Application timeline: The next round for study beginning in 2028 is expected during early 2027, but dates will only become final after the Australian Government publishes the new country profiles.

13. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

Language route: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic and Cambridge English may be accepted.

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are available to eligible applicants from specified countries and study levels. The receiving education institution determines the minimum English standard.

Official guidance recognises several English tests, including IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic and Cambridge English qualifications.

Applicants may be able to begin the initial scholarship process before completing all university-admission steps, but selected candidates must ultimately prove that they satisfy the institution’s English requirements.

Next application period: The current tertiary scholarship round is closed, and the next country-specific application dates have not yet been published.

14. DAAD EPOS Scholarships

Language route: Course-specific tests, exemptions and teaching languages.

DAAD EPOS supports selected development-related postgraduate courses in Germany. Every participating course publishes its own academic, professional and language requirements.

Some programmes require IELTS or TOEFL. Others accept different evidence, and selected courses may exempt candidates whose previous university education was completed fully in English.

Applicants should therefore never assume that the phrase “DAAD scholarship without IELTS” applies to the complete EPOS portfolio.

Application timeline: Official course deadlines for the 2027–2028 intake vary substantially, with several falling between August and October 2026. Applicants must consult the current DAAD EPOS deadline list and then verify the course page.

15. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Language route: Gates Cambridge has no separate test requirement; Cambridge admission rules apply.

Gates Cambridge offers a full-cost scholarship for eligible postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.

The scholarship organisation confirms that it does not impose its own English-language requirement. Applicants must instead meet the conditions established by the Cambridge course and university admissions office.

The scholarship can cover university fees, a maintenance allowance, airfare, visa costs and additional discretionary support.

Next application period: Applications for 2027–2028 entry are expected to open in September 2026. Deadlines will vary between the US competition and the university’s course-funding deadlines.

16. Clarendon Scholarships at the University of Oxford

Language route: Clarendon imposes no separate IELTS rule; Oxford course conditions apply.

Clarendon automatically considers eligible applicants who submit an Oxford graduate application by the relevant December or January funding deadline.

The scholarship covers course fees and provides a living-expense grant.

Applicants must satisfy the language requirements of their chosen Oxford course. A candidate should not interpret Clarendon’s absence of a separate test requirement as an automatic Oxford language waiver.

Next application period: Apply to the selected Oxford course by its relevant December 2026 or January 2027 deadline. No separate Clarendon application is normally required.

17. Rhodes Scholarship

Language route: Oxford’s admission and waiver rules apply.

The Rhodes Scholarship funds postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Language requirements are linked to the selected Oxford programme rather than a single Rhodes IELTS policy.

Official Rhodes guidance explains that applicants must meet Oxford’s English-language requirements and may seek a waiver where they satisfy the university’s relevant conditions.

Current 2027 timeline: Applications are open in various constituencies, with deadlines differing by country. For applicants from Pakistan, the 2027 deadline is 5 August 2026.

18. Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Language route: The selected Stanford graduate programme decides.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars funds eligible graduate study at Stanford University. Applicants submit one application to Knight-Hennessy and another to their Stanford degree programme.

Knight-Hennessy follows the testing and English-language policy of the relevant Stanford school or department. A score may be waived, required or replaced depending on the programme and the applicant’s previous education.

Confirmed 2027 deadline: 6 October 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The associated Stanford programme may have a separate and potentially earlier deadline.

19. Schwarzman Scholars

Language route: Test waiver available for qualifying English-medium education.

Schwarzman Scholars funds a one-year master’s programme at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Applicants can qualify for an English-test waiver when they have completed at least two years of undergraduate or postgraduate study where English was the primary language of instruction. Candidates who do not qualify can use accepted examinations including TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English or the Duolingo English Test.

Confirmed 2027 deadline: 9 September 2026 for the cohort entering in August 2027.

20. KAUST Fellowship

Language route: IELTS alternatives accepted, but official English evidence is generally required.

Students admitted to eligible master’s and PhD programmes at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology are considered for comprehensive funding.

KAUST accepts several forms of English-language evidence, including IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic and Cambridge English. Applicants should therefore classify KAUST as an IELTS-alternative opportunity, not a scholarship requiring no language test.

Next application period: Applications for 2027 entry are scheduled to open in mid-August 2026.

21. CAS-ANSO Scholarship

Language route: English or Chinese proficiency required; IELTS is not specified as the only route.

The CAS-ANSO Scholarship supports eligible master’s and doctoral students at institutions including the University of Science and Technology of China and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Official eligibility conditions require proficiency in English or Chinese without establishing one universal IELTS-only route. The admitting university may request evidence appropriate to the programme.

Expected 2027 timeline: The next round is likely to open around October 2026 and close around January 2027, based on the previous official cycle. These dates remain estimates until CAS-ANSO publishes its new call.

Which Opportunities Can Be Started Without IELTS?

Applicants who currently have no IELTS score should first investigate programmes where the scholarship application can proceed independently of a formal English test:

• TaiwanICDF
• Chevening
• Commonwealth Scholarships
• Türkiye Scholarships
• MEXT
• Selected GKS tracks
• Selected Chinese Government Scholarship universities
• Romanian Government Scholarship
• Gates Cambridge
• Clarendon
• Rhodes fully funded scholarship 2027-28

This does not mean that the candidate will never be asked for language evidence. It means IELTS may not be a mandatory document at the initial scholarship stage.

Which Scholarships May Accept an MOI Certificate?

An MOI certificate can be useful for:

• Selected Chinese Government Scholarship universities
• Certain Stipendium Hungaricum programmes
• Some Erasmus Mundus consortia
• Schwarzman Scholars under its defined exemption policy
• Universities associated with Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon or Rhodes, where their institutional waiver conditions are met
• Selected DAAD courses with explicit English-medium education exemptions

Applicants must never assume that an MOI accepted by one university will be accepted by another.

What Should a Medium of Instruction Certificate State?

The certificate should normally include:

• Applicant’s full name
• Degree title and department
• Dates of study
• Confirmation that the entire programme was taught in English
• Confirmation that examinations and assessments were conducted in English
• Name and position of the issuing official
• University letterhead and official stamp
• Verifiable contact details

A vague statement that English was “used during studies” may not satisfy an admissions office.

Can a University Waive IELTS While the Embassy Still Requests It?

Yes, because four different authorities may be involved:

1. The scholarship provider
2. The admitting university
3. The academic department
4. The immigration or visa authority

A scholarship provider’s decision not to request IELTS does not automatically bind the university or immigration authority.

For example, Australia Awards publishes country-specific English-test conditions, while New Zealand scholarship candidates must eventually satisfy the requirements of their receiving institution.

Applicants should obtain written confirmation from the university and check the official student-visa guidance for their destination before depending entirely on an MOI waiver.

Does Fully Funded Mean Every Personal Expense Is Covered?

Not necessarily.

A strong funding package may include:

• Full tuition
• Monthly living allowance
• Accommodation
• Medical insurance
• Airfare
• Visa or relocation assistance
• Books or research costs
• Preparatory language study

However, some programmes described online as “fully funded” provide only a contribution toward accommodation or living expenses.

Applicants should compare the official scholarship package with:

• Average rent in the host city
• Food and local-transport costs
• Visa and residence-permit fees
• Initial deposits
• Costs for accompanying family members
• Funding duration and renewal conditions

Türkiye Scholarships, for example, officially lists tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a monthly stipend, Turkish-language training and a flight ticket among its benefits. Gates Cambridge describes its award as a full-cost scholarship with core and discretionary components.

Upcoming Application Calendar for All International Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students – 2027-2028 Admissions Schedule for BS, MS, PhD

August–October 2026

Applicants should prepare for:

• Chevening Scholarships
• Rhodes Scholarship
• Schwarzman Scholars
• Knight-Hennessy Scholars
• KAUST admissions
• DAAD EPOS deadlines
• GKS undergraduate competition
• Early Erasmus Mundus calls

October 2026–January 2027

Likely opportunities include:

• Stipendium Hungaricum
• Gates Cambridge
• Clarendon
• Erasmus Mundus
• CAS-ANSO
• Chinese Government Scholarship university routes

January–March 2027

Applicants should watch for:

• Türkiye Scholarships
• TaiwanICDF
• GKS graduate competition
• Romanian Government Scholarship
• Brunei Government Scholarship
• Chinese Government Scholarship
• The next Australia Awards cycle

Dates marked as expected are projections based on the latest official annual schedules. Applicants must reconfirm them when the relevant government or scholarship body publishes its next call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really get a fully funded scholarship without IELTS in 2027?

Yes. Some fully funded scholarship providers do not request IELTS, while certain universities accept TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge English, Duolingo, an MOI certificate or previous English-medium education. Other scholarships fund study in a language other than English.

Which government scholarships do not universally require IELTS?

Türkiye Scholarships, MEXT, selected GKS routes, the Romanian Government Scholarship and some Chinese Government Scholarship university programmes can be accessible without IELTS. Each has a different language-assessment process, so none should be treated as having identical rules.

Is Chevening available without IELTS?

Chevening does not require an English test as part of the scholarship application. The selected UK university can still require English evidence before issuing an unconditional offer.

Can I apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship with an MOI certificate?

Yes, at selected universities. Official university notices from institutions including China University of Geosciences, Zhejiang University of Technology and China University of Petroleum show that previous English-medium education may be accepted. This policy is not universal across all CSC universities.

Does Türkiye Scholarships require IELTS?

IELTS is not mandatory for every Türkiye Scholarships applicant. A language-test result is needed when required by the selected university or programme.

Is an MOI certificate equivalent to IELTS?

No. IELTS is a standardised language examination. An MOI certificate documents the language used during previous education. A university can accept the MOI, request additional evidence or reject it under its admission policy.

Can I submit an English score after applying?

Some programmes allow candidates to apply first and satisfy the university’s language condition later. Others require all language documents by the application deadline. The official admissions checklist of the selected programme is decisive.

Are scholarships without IELTS easier to win?

No. Removing IELTS does not remove academic competition. Selection may still depend on grades, leadership, professional experience, research potential, recommendations, the statement of purpose and the quality of the overall application.

Final Assessment

Fully funded scholarships without IELTS are genuine, but the phrase is regularly oversimplified and the most reliable opportunities fall into four (04) categories:

• The scholarship application itself does not require IELTS.
• The university may approve an English-test waiver.
• IELTS can be replaced by another recognised examination.
• The scholarship funds study through a different language.

Applicants should shortlist programmes according to the evidence they can realistically provide. A candidate holding a strong MOI certificate needs a different strategy from someone prepared to take TOEFL or PTE. A student willing to complete a Romanian, Turkish, Korean, Japanese or Chinese preparatory year has another set of possibilities.

The goal should not be to avoid proving language ability at all costs. It should be to identify a legitimate, officially accepted language route that matches the applicant’s education, budget and intended degree.