Welcome to ScholarCareHub.com.ng, Here on this page, we share the latest information about the Study Abroad Without IELTS in 2026, Including scholarships, alternatives, and english waivers.
For many students, the cost and preparation involved in taking an English-language test can make studying abroad seem more difficult.
IELTS is widely used by universities around the world, but it is not a universal requirement for every scholarship or university.
In some cases, a scholarship provider does not require an IELTS certificate when you submit the scholarship application. In other cases, the university may accept a different English test, a previous qualification taught in English, or another form of evidence.
This distinction is important.
A scholarship can allow you to apply without IELTS while the university you choose may still require proof of English proficiency before giving you an unconditional admission offer.
For example, Chevening does not require applicants to submit an English-language test score for the scholarship application, but applicants must still satisfy the English requirements of their chosen UK university.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission also states that IELTS is not required for its scholarship application, although the UK university may require an English-language qualification.
Therefore, instead of simply searching for a “scholarship without IELTS,” students should look for scholarships and universities with flexible English-language requirements.
This guide explains how these waivers work, scholarship programmes worth researching, alternatives to IELTS and how Nigerian students can verify the requirements before applying.
What Does “Study Abroad Without IELTS” Actually Mean?
The phrase “study abroad without IELTS” can mean several different things.
It does not always mean that you can study overseas without demonstrating English proficiency.
Usually, it refers to one of these situations:
1. The scholarship does not require IELTS
Some scholarship providers do not ask for an IELTS certificate during their own scholarship application.
However, the university may have separate requirements.
2. The university accepts another English test
Instead of IELTS, a university may accept qualifications such as:
- TOEFL
- PTE Academic
- Cambridge English qualifications
- LanguageCert
- Other approved tests
The accepted tests and minimum scores depend on the institution and programme.
3. Your previous education was conducted in English
Some universities accept an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter or another form of evidence showing that your previous degree was taught and examined in English.
For example, the University of Bristol states that applicants with certain university-level qualifications taught and examined in English may satisfy its English-language requirements through an official Medium of Instruction letter. Nigeria is included among the countries listed in its relevant profile.
4. The university offers another route
Some institutions may allow applicants to meet the requirement through a pre-sessional English course or another approved qualification.
The University of Bristol, for example, lists pre-sessional language courses and other approved routes among its options for applicants who have not yet met the required English level.
Scholarships to Consider If You Do Not Have IELTS
The following programmes should not be presented as scholarships that automatically guarantee an IELTS waiver.
Instead, they are examples where the scholarship application and university English requirements should be considered separately.
1. Chevening Scholarship — United Kingdom
The Chevening Scholarship is a UK government scholarship for eligible international students pursuing master's degrees in the United Kingdom.
One important advantage for applicants who do not have IELTS is that Chevening itself does not require an English-language test score as part of the scholarship application.
Chevening removed its own English-language requirement in 2020.
However, this does not mean every Chevening-eligible university accepts students without an English-language qualification.
Applicants must still meet the requirements of their chosen university and obtain an unconditional offer from an eligible course by the relevant deadline.
What this means
You may be able to submit your Chevening application without IELTS, but you should separately check whether your chosen university accepts:
- A Nigerian university degree taught in English
- A Medium of Instruction letter
- Another English test
- A university language assessment
- A pre-sessional English course
Funding
Chevening is a major fully funded scholarship programme, but the exact award conditions should always be checked against the current official scholarship guidance.
2. Commonwealth Master's Scholarships — United Kingdom
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for eligible citizens of Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria.
The CSC's official FAQ states that IELTS or another English-language certificate is not necessary for the CSC scholarship application itself.
However, the Commission makes an important distinction: some UK universities may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency through IELTS or another approved qualification.
This means applicants should not assume that receiving a Commonwealth Scholarship automatically removes their university's English-language requirement.
What you should do
Before applying:
- Select an eligible course.
- Check the university's admission requirements.
- Find out whether your previous degree can satisfy its English requirement.
- Ask whether an MOI letter is accepted.
- Check whether another English test is accepted.
- Confirm the scholarship's current eligibility requirements.
Nigeria is among the eligible Commonwealth countries for the Master's Scholarship programme.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Scholarships — Europe
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's programmes allow students to study across participating European and international universities.
The Erasmus+ programme states that scholarships can contribute to participation costs and provide support for travel, visa expenses and living costs.
However, there is no single IELTS rule covering every Erasmus Mundus programme.
Each individual master's programme has its own:
- Admission requirements
- English-language requirements
- Application process
- Scholarship conditions
- Deadlines
Therefore, one Erasmus Mundus programme may accept an alternative form of English evidence while another may require a specific test.
How to check
Go to the official page of the particular Erasmus Mundus master's programme you are interested in.
Look for sections titled:
- Admission requirements
- Language requirements
- Eligibility
- Application documents
Do not rely on a general statement that “Erasmus does not require IELTS.”
4. GREAT Scholarships — United Kingdom
GREAT Scholarships are available through participating UK universities for students from selected countries, including Nigeria.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the British Council states that Nigerian students can access GREAT Scholarships at participating institutions. The standard programme offers £10,000 toward tuition fees, although individual universities can offer different award amounts.
This is important because GREAT Scholarships should not automatically be described as fully funded scholarships.
For example, participating universities can have awards of £10,000, £12,000 or £15,000.
The British Council's Nigeria page also states that applicants must meet the English-language requirement of the relevant UK higher education institution.
Can you apply without IELTS?
Possibly, depending on the university's own English-language policy.
For example, some UK universities accept qualifications or other evidence instead of IELTS.
Therefore, check the English requirements of the specific GREAT Scholarship university and course before applying.
5. University Scholarships With English-Medium Education Waivers
One of the most practical alternatives to IELTS for Nigerian students is to look for universities that recognize previous education conducted in English.
This is not one scholarship. It is a strategy for finding eligible scholarships and degree programmes.
For example, the University of Bristol states that applicants with qualifying university-level education fully taught and examined in English may satisfy its English-language requirements through an official Medium of Instruction letter.
This means that a student should not automatically assume:
“I need IELTS because I am applying to the UK.”
Instead, check the university's specific English-language profile.
Important: Australia Awards Is Not Simply an “IELTS-Free Scholarship”
Australia Awards Scholarships are fully funded government scholarships, and Nigeria is among the participating African countries.
However, the English-language rules are more specific than many websites suggest.
The Australia Awards policy states that applicants generally need to meet the relevant English-language requirement, with IELTS, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic among the accepted tests.
There are circumstances where an applicant can meet the requirement through being a first-language English speaker and having undertaken education in English, subject to the applicable rules and institutional requirements.
For the Africa programme, the published requirements have included an English proficiency requirement, with an exception for applicants whose first language is English and who completed their education in English.
Therefore, Nigerian applicants should not assume that Australia Awards is automatically IELTS-free.
Always check the current Nigeria/Africa country profile and the institution's requirements.
Scholarship Programmes That Should Not Be Advertised as “No IELTS” Without Checking
Many websites publish long lists of scholarships supposedly requiring “no IELTS.”
Be careful with these lists.
A scholarship may have no IELTS requirement while the university does.
Other programmes may accept TOEFL or another test but still require proof of English.
Before publishing or applying, check the official scholarship provider and university.
What Can You Use Instead of IELTS?
Depending on the university, course and country, possible alternatives may include:
TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is accepted by many universities.
Check the required version and minimum score.
PTE Academic
Pearson Test of English Academic is another English-language test accepted by many institutions.
Cambridge English Qualifications
Some universities accept Cambridge English qualifications such as C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
Medium of Instruction Letter
An MOI letter confirms that your previous programme was taught and examined in English.
Whether it is accepted depends entirely on the university and programme.
For Nigerian applicants, this can be particularly important because some universities explicitly recognize qualifying English-medium university education.
University English Assessment
Some institutions may offer their own assessment or recognize other approved pathways.
Do not assume this option exists everywhere.
Pre-Sessional English Course
Some universities allow students who are academically qualified but have not yet met the required English level to take an approved pre-sessional course.
The University of Bristol is one example of a university that provides this type of pathway.
How Nigerian Students Can Study Abroad Without IELTS
If you are a Nigerian student who does not have IELTS, use the following process.
Step 1: Choose Your Study Destination
Decide whether you want to study in:
- The UK
- Canada
- Germany
- Australia
- The Netherlands
- Other European countries
- Another destination
Do not choose a country solely because someone advertised “no IELTS.”
Step 2: Choose Your Course
Identify the exact programme you want to study.
For example:
- Computer Science
- Public Health
- Engineering
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Data Science
- International Relations
- Education
English-language requirements can differ between programmes at the same university.
Step 3: Check the University's English Requirement
This is one of the most important steps.
Look for the university's official language requirements page.
Check whether it accepts:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- PTE
- Cambridge English
- MOI
- Other approved evidence
Step 4: Check Whether Your Nigerian Degree Qualifies
If you completed your previous degree in English, ask whether the university accepts this as evidence of English proficiency.
You may need an official letter from your institution confirming:
- The programme was taught in English.
- The programme was examined in English.
- The institution's official details.
- Your programme and dates of study.
The exact format varies by university.
Step 5: Check the Scholarship Separately
After confirming the university requirements, examine the scholarship.
Check:
- Nationality eligibility
- Academic requirements
- Study level
- Eligible courses
- Work experience requirements
- Leadership requirements
- Application deadline
- Funding coverage
- English-language rules
Never assume that the scholarship's language rule and the university's admission rule are identical.
Read Also:
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Believing Every “No IELTS” List
A blog or social-media post may say:
“Study in the UK without IELTS.”
That statement may be too broad.
The university may still require English-language evidence.
Mistake 2: Assuming MOI Is Accepted Everywhere
A Medium of Instruction letter can be useful, but it is not universally accepted.
Always confirm with the university.
Mistake 3: Confusing a Scholarship With Admission
A scholarship provider may accept your application without IELTS while the university still requires proof of English before admission.
These are two different processes.
Mistake 4: Calling Partial Scholarships Fully Funded
Some scholarships only reduce tuition fees.
For example, the 2026–27 GREAT Scholarship offers £10,000 toward tuition for many participating awards rather than automatically covering all study and living costs.
Always check what the award actually covers.
Mistake 5: Using Old Scholarship Information
Scholarship rules change.
A programme that accepted an alternative English qualification several years ago may have different rules now.
Always check the current official website before applying.
A Simple Checklist Before Applying Without IELTS
Before submitting your application, confirm:
The scholarship accepts applicants from Nigeria.
- The scholarship accepts applicants from Nigeria.
- Your chosen course is eligible.
- The university accepts your previous qualification.
- You know the university's current English requirement.
- You know whether an MOI letter is accepted.
- You know whether another English test is accepted.
- You understand what the scholarship actually pays for.
- You have checked the official deadline.
- You are applying through the official website.
- You have not paid anyone to “guarantee” a scholarship.
Disclaimer
Scholarship eligibility, funding, application deadlines, admission requirements and English-language policies can change from one scholarship cycle, university and programme to another. Applicants should verify all requirements directly with the official scholarship provider and university before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study abroad without IELTS?
Yes, in some cases.
However, “without IELTS” does not necessarily mean “without English-language evidence.”
A university may accept an MOI letter, another English test, a university assessment or another approved qualification.
Which scholarship does not require IELTS?
Some scholarship providers do not require IELTS as part of their own scholarship application.
For example, Chevening does not require an English-language test score for its scholarship application, while the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission says IELTS is not necessary for its scholarship application. However, the host university can still impose its own English-language requirement.
Can Nigerians study abroad without IELTS?
Some Nigerian students may be able to meet university English requirements through alternative evidence, depending on the institution and programme.
Some universities recognize qualifying university-level education completed in English. The University of Bristol, for example, lists an English-medium qualification route for eligible applicants.
Can I use an English proficiency letter instead of IELTS?
Possibly.
If your university accepts a Medium of Instruction letter, you may be able to use it as evidence of English proficiency.
But acceptance is determined by the receiving institution.
Is Duolingo accepted instead of IELTS?
Some universities accept the Duolingo English Test, but acceptance varies by university and programme.
Do not assume that because one university accepts Duolingo, every university or scholarship does.
Are there fully funded scholarships without IELTS?
Yes, there are scholarship programmes where the scholarship provider itself does not require IELTS at the scholarship-application stage.
However, the university may still require English-language evidence.
Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are examples where the scholarship application does not require IELTS, while university requirements remain separate.
Does Australia Awards require IELTS?
Australia Awards has specific English-language requirements, and accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic. Certain exemptions can apply under the programme rules, including circumstances involving first-language English and English-medium education. Applicants should check the current country and university requirements rather than assuming the scholarship is IELTS-free.
Final Thoughts
Not having IELTS does not automatically prevent you from pursuing an international scholarship.
The important thing is to understand the difference between a scholarship application requirement and a university admission requirement.
Some scholarship providers do not require IELTS when you submit the scholarship application. Some universities accept previous education in English or alternative language qualifications. Others may require IELTS or another approved test.
For Nigerian students, the most practical approach is to:
- Choose the country and course.
- Identify suitable universities.
- Check their official English-language requirements.
- Find out whether your Nigerian degree or MOI letter is accepted.
- Check the scholarship's own requirements.
- Apply through the official scholarship and university portals.
- Verify all requirements before submitting.
Most importantly, do not rely on a website simply saying “No IELTS required.”
The real question is:
What does the specific university and scholarship require for the course you want to study?
That is the information that can determine whether you can complete the application without IELTS.
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