Scholarship Alert: Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS 2025–26

Here’s your scholarship alert ! If IELTS has been standing in the way of your dream to study abroad, it’s time to relax. Many top universities and governments now offer fully funded scholarships without IELTS. Instead of spending money and time on language tests, you can apply using a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, alternative tests (like Duolingo, TOEFL, PTE), or even through internal interviews.

Below, I’ve put together a big list of 30+ fully funded scholarships without IELTS 2025–26. You’ll also see application windows and deadlines so you can plan ahead. 

Why Scholarships Without IELTS Matter

• IELTS is expensive and stressful for many students.

• Not every bright student has access to testing centers.

• Many universities realized they were losing talented applicants because of this.

That’s why scholarships are becoming more flexible, and you can now apply to study in China, Turkey, Germany, Japan, USA, Canada, UK, Italy, and more — without IELTS!

30+ Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS 2025–26

Here’s your scholarship alerts list:

1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

• Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD

• Benefits: Tuition, housing, stipend, health insurance

• IELTS: Not required in many universities (MOI accepted)

• Deadline: Jan–April 2025 (varies by university)

2. ANSO Scholarship, China

• Levels: Master, PhD

• Benefits: Tuition, housing, stipend, insurance

• IELTS: MOI certificate accepted

• Deadline: Usually Feb–March 2025

3. Shanghai Government Scholarship

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• IELTS: Waived with MOI or internal test

• Deadline: Around March 2025

4. Nanjing University Scholarship (China)

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• IELTS: Not compulsory if you studied in English

• Deadline: March–April 2025

5. Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP)

• Levels: Master, PhD

• Benefits: Tuition + living allowance

• IELTS: Alternatives accepted

• Deadline: Feb 2025

6. Turkey Government Scholarships (Türkiye Burslari)

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• Benefits: Tuition, housing, flights, stipend

• IELTS: Not mandatory

• Deadline: Jan–Feb 2026

7. MEXT Scholarship, Japan

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• Benefits: Tuition, stipend, housing, flights

• IELTS: Not required, English certificate accepted

• Deadline: April–June 2025 (varies by embassy)

8. DAAD Scholarships, Germany

• Levels: Master, PhD

• Benefits: Tuition-free, monthly stipend, travel

• IELTS: MOI accepted in many programs

• Deadline: Sept–Oct 2025 (program specific)

9. Open Doors Russian Scholarship

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• Benefits: Free tuition at Russian universities

• IELTS: Not required

• Deadline: Sept 1 – Nov 16, 2025

10. Fulbright Scholarship (USA)

• Levels: Master, PhD

• Benefits: Tuition, stipend, health insurance, flights

• IELTS: Waiver possible with English-medium degree

• Deadline: Feb–May 2025 (country-specific)

11. U.S. University Scholarships Without IELTS

• Many U.S. universities accept Duolingo or MOI instead of IELTS.

• Deadline: University-specific (Fall 2025 intake: Dec 2024–Jan 2025)

12. Canada University Scholarships Without IELTS

• Examples: University of Saskatchewan, Memorial University, Brock University

• IELTS not required with MOI certificate.

• Deadline: University-specific (Fall intake closes around Dec–Feb)

13. Korean Government Scholarship (GKS)

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• Benefits: Tuition, flights, stipend, housing

• IELTS: Exempted if education was in English

• Deadline: Feb–March 2025

14. Brunei Darussalam University Scholarship

• Levels: Master, PhD

• IELTS: Not required if proof of English-medium study is given

• Deadline: July 2025

15. Azerbaijan Government Scholarship

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• IELTS: Not compulsory

• Deadline: Feb 2025

16. Italian Government Scholarships

• Levels: Master, PhD

• IELTS: MOI accepted in many universities

• Deadline: May–June 2025

17. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships (Europe)

• Level: Master (joint programs)

• Benefits: Tuition + stipend + travel

• IELTS: Some programs waive IELTS with MOI certificate

• Deadline: Jan–Feb 2025

18. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship (Germany)

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• IELTS: Alternatives accepted

• Deadline: March & Sept 2025

19. Expatrio Scholarship (Germany)

• Levels: All levels

• IELTS: Not required

• Deadline: Sept 30, 2025

20. British Council Scholarships (UK) Without IELTS

• Levels: Master, PhD

• IELTS: Not always mandatory, Duolingo accepted in many cases

• Deadline: Depends on program (Chevening: Oct 2025)

21. Chevening Scholarship (UK)

• Levels: Master’s

• IELTS: Exemptions possible with English-medium study

• Deadline: Oct 2025

22. Rhodes Scholarship (UK)

• Levels: Master, DPhil

• IELTS: Flexibility given for English-medium students

• Deadline: Aug–Sept 2025

23. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)

• Levels: Master, PhD

• IELTS: Alternative proofs accepted

• Deadline: Oct 2025

24. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

• Levels: Master, PhD

• IELTS: Not always compulsory

• Deadline: Oct 2025

25. University of Milan Scholarships (Italy)

• Levels: Master’s

• IELTS: MOI accepted

• Deadline: May 2025

26. University of Padua Scholarships (Italy)

• Levels: UG, Master, PhD

• IELTS: Not compulsory for English-medium students

• Deadline: Feb 2025

27. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

• Levels: PhD, Postdoc

• IELTS: May be waived for English-proven candidates

• Deadline: Sept–Dec 2025 (varies by country)

28. UNIL Master’s Grants, Switzerland

• Level: Master’s

• IELTS: Not compulsory for English-taught courses

• Deadline: Nov 1, 2025

29. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship, Switzerland

• Level: Master’s

• IELTS: MOI accepted in many programs

• Deadline: Nov 30, 2025

30. France Eiffel Scholarship

• Levels: Master, PhD

• IELTS: Some universities exempt IELTS if courses are in English

• Deadline: Jan 2025

---

Deadlines Recap

• China (CSC & ANSO): Jan–April 2025

• Turkey: Jan–Feb 2025

• Japan (MEXT): April–June 2025

• Russia (Open Doors): Sept–Nov 2025

• Germany (DAAD): Sept–Oct 2025

• Germany (Expatrio): Sept 30, 2025

• UK (Chevening, Gates, Rhodes): Aug–Oct 2025

• Switzerland (UNIL, ETH Zurich): Nov 2025

• Italy: Feb–May 2025

• Canada/USA: University-specific (mostly Dec–Feb for fall intake)

This is your ultimate scholarship alert. With these fully funded scholarships without IELTS 2025–26, you now have 30+ options across the globe. From Asia to Europe to North America, opportunities are open for students who are ready to apply smartly.

My advice:

• Prepare your MOI certificate early.

• Track deadlines in a calendar.

• Follow hashtags like #scholarshipalert on social media for updates.

• Always double-check official websites before applying.

Your dream scholarship might be waiting — and IELTS may not even be part of the journey.