Written by Christian Chinonso
Founder, LearnViaHub | Academic Credential & International Student Research
✓ Last checked: 27 October 2026
Quick answer
Very few scholarships are truly test-free. The scholarship body rarely tests your English; the university that admits you does, and it usually accepts another test or an exemption for earlier study in English. This page lists the 62 programmes we could confirm against official pages. Each row shows what the official page says about funding, dates and English proof.
The official pages name three kinds of alternative to IELTS: another test (TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, Cambridge), an exemption for earlier study taught in English, and, at a few universities, a medium-of-instruction (MOI) certificate. Several state the opposite: for example York says letters do not qualify, and Delft says you are not exempt even if your degree was taught in English.
Dates below are as of 27 October 2026 and come from official pages. Always check the current page before you apply.
Open now and opening soon
Only dates we found on official pages. The first table is open or closing soon; the second opens in the next few months.
| Programme | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson (Toronto) | 6 Nov 2026 | Nominated students only; school nomination closed 9 Oct 2026 |
| UBC International Scholars | 15 Nov 2026 | Documents including English by 31 Jan 2027 |
| University of Padua | About 15 Nov 2026 | First window for most degrees, per the page; apply via your degree |
| Leiden University Excellence (LExS) | 1 Dec 2026 | Master’s starting September 2027 |
| TU Delft Excellence | 1 Dec 2026, 23:59 CET | Master’s; Van Effen Excellence |
| University of Sydney International | 18 Dec 2026 | Research periods 3 and 4 of 2027 |
| MEXT university route (UTokyo example) | 19 to 30 Oct 2026 | UTokyo Information Science; other universities differ |
| LUT University | 31 Mar 2027 | Rolling admission from 1 Oct 2026 |
| Programme | Opens or closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Helsinki | 5 to 19 Jan 2027 | Autumn 2027 master’s |
| Tampere University | Deadline 7 Jan 2027 | Autumn 2027 |
| University of Oulu | 7 to 21 Jan 2027 | Autumn 2027 |
| Aalto University | Documents 12 Jan 2027 | Master’s |
| Uppsala University IPK | 16 Jan to 1 Feb 2027 | Autumn 2027 |
| Joint Japan / World Bank | 18 Jan to 26 Feb 2027 and 29 Mar to 21 May 2027 | Two windows |
| Türkiye Bursları | 10 Jan to 20 Feb (annual pattern) | No 2027 announcement found yet |
| Karolinska Institutet | 8 to 24 Feb 2027 | Autumn 2027 |
| Aga Khan Foundation | Opens early 2027 | Dates not stated |
What “scholarships without IELTS” means
It means two separate decisions. The scholarship provider decides who gets funding. The university decides whether your English is good enough to be admitted. The IELTS question is nearly always the university’s.
- The programme itself asks for no test. Italy’s government scholarship asks for no English proof for PhD and research awards, and the Joint Japan/World Bank programme says no test score is needed to apply. Türkiye Bursları asks for an international language test only if the programme requires one.
- The host university decides. Stipendium Hungaricum asks for proof at the minimum level the host institution sets.
- The programme names a test. The Chinese programmes, Delft and POSTECH name specific scores, with an exemption in some cases.
Because these rules are set per university, a scholarship’s own page often does not answer the IELTS question. Where it does not, the tables below say so instead of guessing. More general options are in our scholarships for international students guide.
English proof on official pages: what is actually accepted
| Route | Where an official page says so |
|---|---|
| Another test (TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, Cambridge, CAEL) | UBC, York, Waterloo, Alberta, UCD, Helsinki, Aalto, Tampere, Oulu, POSTECH, Korea University, Melbourne, Sydney, UQ, Deakin |
| Exemption for earlier study taught in English | UBC (four or more consecutive years), Waterloo (four most recent years), Alberta (three or more years), Helsinki, Aalto, Tampere, LUT, Oulu (English-medium degree from listed countries), Melbourne, Sydney, UQ, Deakin, Monash, CSC, Silk Road, Provincial |
| A named MOI or medium-of-instruction document | POSTECH (a certificate of English as the medium of instruction), Korea University (school letter or registrar letter), Debrecen (medium-of-instruction certificate), Waterloo (principal’s letter), UQ (designated countries), the Chinese programmes (a certificate of teaching language) |
| A letter is not enough | York (letters do not qualify), LUT (statements of English as the language of instruction are not accepted), Melbourne (registrar letters not accepted from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia), Delft (not exempt even if the programme was taught in English) |
| No proof needed | Italian government scholarship (PhD and research awards); the Joint Japan/World Bank programme asks for no test to apply |
This table comes from the programme and university pages listed in the country tables. It is not a promise that a university will accept your document, because each admissions office decides.
If you studied in English outside an English-speaking country
- Exemption lists often name countries. KAIST’s English-medium degree exemption covers citizens of listed countries (it names India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Nigeria among them), and POSTECH exempts graduates from AU, CA, IE, NZ, UK and US.
- Some universities name countries whose letters they do not take. Melbourne does not accept registrar letters from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia.
- UQ accepts secondary schooling from a designated country where English is the medium of instruction. Check its list.
- When a university will decide case by case (Sydney does for countries not listed), ask early and in writing.
Our template (not official wording) for a short email to the admissions office: “I completed [degree] at [university], taught and assessed entirely in English. Will you accept [transcript / registrar letter] as proof of English for [programme] for [intake]? If a test is required, which tests do you accept?”
Canada
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson (Toronto) | First-entry undergraduate, nominated by your school. Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years | Sept 2027 entry: school nomination closed 9 Oct 2026; application documents due 6 Nov 2026 for nominated students | No rule on the Pearson page. U of T accepts IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL or Duolingo, or an exemption for 4+ years of full-time study in English at a recognised school |
| UBC International Scholars | First undergraduate degree, entering from secondary school. Need and merit based with no fixed amount; the Vantage One award can cover up to the full programme and living costs | Opened 5 Oct 2026; award application due 15 Nov 2026; documents including English due 31 Jan 2027 | Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, CAEL, Cambridge) or a waiver for four or more consecutive years of full-time education in English |
| York University International | Undergraduate. Entrance awards are fixed dollar amounts ($5,000 to $15,000 in year one, up to $37,500 in total; the page read does not name the currency). The President’s International Scholarship of Excellence is $180,000 over four years | Entrance awards need no application. Excellence award student deadline 27 Jan 2027 | Tests, or four full years of English-medium high school or university study. York says letters do not qualify |
| University of Waterloo International | First-year international undergraduates. $10,000 entrance scholarship in two instalments; faculty awards $12,000 to $80,000. Not full tuition | Entrance scholarship needs no application | Tests, or an exemption if your four most recent years of full-time education were in an entirely English-language school system, shown by transcripts or a hard-copy letter from the school principal |
| University of Alberta International | Undergraduate. Up to $10,000 admission scholarship (automatic); up to $120,000 over four years for the President’s International Distinction award | Application-based awards close 10 January (year not stated) | Tests, or three or more years of full-time English-medium education, or a degree taught in English in an English-speaking country |
Admissions detail beyond scholarships is in our study in Canada without IELTS guide.
Germany
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD (programme-dependent) | Master’s, doctoral and postdoc, depending on the programme. Example rates €992 a month (students) and €1,300 (doctoral), a flat travel allowance and, in many cases, insurance | Set per programme | Pages we read name IELTS or TOEFL certificates; one programme says institutional TOEFL is not accepted. MOI is not named |
| Deutschlandstipendium | Bachelor’s and master’s students at participating German universities. €300 a month | Each university sets its own timing | Not stated on the official site; check your university |
Australia
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne Graduate Research | Research masters and doctorates. Stipend $41,100 a year (2027 full-time rate), 100% fee remission, relocation $2,000 to $3,000, OSHC for visa holders | Automatic consideration when you apply for the course; deadlines are per course | Recent approved study fully in English, or approved tests. Registrar letters are not accepted from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia |
| University of Sydney International | Research degrees (RTP and USydIS). Stipend $44,293 a year (2027 rate) and tuition for up to 14 research periods | Research periods 3 and 4 of 2027 close 18 Dec 2026. The main round for periods 1 and 2 closed 11 Sep 2026 | At least one year of full-time tertiary study in English in the last five years in listed countries (others case by case), or approved tests. No MOI letter named for postgraduates |
| University of Queensland International | Undergraduate and postgraduate coursework. International Excellence: 25% tuition reduction; High Achievers: 20% | Assessed automatically; no closing date | Six options, including senior secondary schooling in a designated country where English is the medium of instruction, a prior degree, or tests |
| Monash University International | International Merit: undergraduate, $15,000 a year (up to $75,000). Study grants of AUD 5,000 to 15,000 once, for applicants from India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal only | No application; automatic on offer | At least half a year of full-time study in an English-medium institution can meet it for non-English backgrounds, or tests |
| Deakin University International | Vice-Chancellor’s International: 100% or 50% tuition; Excellence 25%; Merit 20%; for the length of the degree | Most are assessed automatically; the Vice-Chancellor’s scholarship needs a separate application | Recently completed secondary or university study taught in English at an approved provider, or IELTS or Pearson |
More countries
The same columns apply for each country below.
Italy
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Government (MAECI) | Master’s, PhD and research. 2026/27: €10,800 in total, paid in three instalments over nine months | 2026/27 call closed 26 Mar 2026; check the Italian government for the next call | English-taught master’s: B2 English by certificate or document. PhD and research: no proof required. An entirely English-taught bachelor’s is accepted as proof |
| University of Bologna Study Grants | International Talents @Unibo: master’s and bachelor’s or single-cycle. 2024/25 award: €4,500 gross plus a full tuition exemption for one year | The latest dates we found are for 2024/25; no 2026/27 call found | Not stated; the entrance tests are held in English |
| DSU Regional Scholarships | Bachelor’s to PhD at participating Tuscan institutions. Cash allowance, free canteen, accommodation or rent subsidy; tuition waiver not stated | 2025/26 call: 15 Jul to 5 Sep 2025 (degrees), 25 Sep to 14 Nov 2025 (PhD). 2026/27 degree-level dates not found | No language test in the call or the foreign-students page |
| Politecnico di Milano Merit | English-taught MSc. Full tuition waiver (about €170 administrative fee) plus cash: Platinum €10,000, Gold €8,000 (Milan), Gold Piacenza €5,000 a year, smaller awards below | 2026/27 form ran 15 Oct to 15 Dec 2025. 2027/28 early-bird period 1 Oct to 1 Dec 2026; scholarship form dates not confirmed | A valid English certificate is required; accepted tests, exemptions and MOI are not listed in the call |
| University of Padua | English-taught bachelor’s or single-cycle. €8,000 gross a year plus tuition exemption (2026/27 call) | No separate application; apply by your degree’s deadline (first window for most degrees to 15 Nov 2026 per the page) | The page is silent on English proof; it says only that you apply to an English-taught degree |
| University of Turin | Talents 4 UniTo: first-year English-taught master’s. 2026/27: 40 two-year scholarships of €20,000 gross each | Listed as closed; next call not stated | Not stated; programmes are held in English |
Japan
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXT (Embassy route) | Research, undergraduate and other categories. Tuition exempt, ¥143,000 to ¥145,000 a month (research), round-trip airfare. See our MEXT scholarships guide | Recruitment ran April to June 2026 for 2027 arrival; next round expected April to May 2027 | Embassy exams in Japanese and English for research students. No IELTS or TOEFL minimum and no MOI stated on the page |
| MEXT (University recommendation) | Same benefits table as the embassy route. Each university sets its own requirements and dates | Varies. Example: UTokyo Information Science online application 19 to 30 Oct 2026 for October 2027 enrolment | Varies by university. UTokyo: a certificate of required scores, or proof that education was completed primarily in English |
| JASSO Honors Scholarship | Privately funded students already in Japan. ¥48,000 a month for 12 or 6 months; apply through your institution, which has a quota | Not stated | CEFR B2 English (or Japanese JLPT N2 or EJU 200). Waived for Japanese-language institute students |
| ADB–Japan Scholarship | Master’s at designated institutions. Full tuition, monthly allowance including housing, books, insurance and travel | Apply at least six months before the planned start; intake deadlines vary | Proficiency in oral and written English. No test or MOI named; the institution screens applicants |
| University of Tokyo | Graduate students. UTokyo Fellowship ¥200,000 a month for the standard period; tuition cover not stated | Not stated on the page | Not mentioned on the page |
Our MEXT scholarships guide covers the national scheme in more depth.
South Korea
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | Undergraduate and graduate. Airfare, Korean language training, tuition and a monthly allowance (amount not on the page) | Undergraduate: announced in September, embassy track due in September, university track September to November, results in December | The main page states no test. One embassy notice for the 2025 graduate round said only TOEFL and IELTS were accepted |
| KAIST International Student Scholarship | Undergraduate: full tuition for eight semesters plus KRW 350,000 a month and insurance (GPA above 2.7 of 4.3 after year one). Graduate: full tuition; stipend varies | Automatic with admission. Fall 2026 graduate round closed | Graduate: one test (TOEFL iBT 83, IELTS 6.5, TOEIC 720 or TEPS 326). An English-medium degree certificate exempts only citizens of listed countries, which include India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Nigeria |
| Seoul National University | Graduate. SPF (PhD, faculty from developing countries): full tuition plus KRW 1.5 to 2.0 million a month. GSFS: full tuition plus at least KRW 500,000 a month (about 20 awards) | Spring 2027 graduate admission opened 6 July 2026; closing date not stated | The scholarship pages state no English rule; we did not read the admission guide |
| Korea University | Undergraduate full-tuition awards (for example Anam Global, eight semesters) and graduate programmes | Fall 2026 closed; Fall 2027 not stated | TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic. Exemption for an all-English secondary curriculum, shown by transcript and a school letter confirming English as the medium of instruction. Graduate: degrees taught only in English, with a registrar letter |
| POSTECH International Student Scholarship | Graduate. Assistantships: KRW 1,850,000 a month (master’s), KRW 2,200,000 (PhD), selected by the advisor | Round 2 for Spring 2027 closed 11 Sep 2026; next round not stated | TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.0, TOEIC 750, TEPS 600, or a certificate of English as the medium of instruction. Exempt if graduated in AU, CA, IE, NZ, UK or US |
China
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) | Undergraduate to doctoral. Monthly stipend CNY 2,500 (undergraduate), 3,000 (master’s), 3,500 (doctoral) per one host-university page; other items not itemised there | 2026 cycle closed; next dates not stated on the page we read | English-taught programmes: TOEFL iBT above 80 or IELTS above 6, or equivalent. Exempt if a native speaker or if your highest degree was taught in English, with certification of the teaching language |
| Silk Road Scholarship | Master’s and PhD (bachelor’s at one university). Tuition waiver, accommodation, insurance and CNY 2,500, 3,000 or 3,500 a month | 2026: Tianjin deadline 18 May, Central South 20 May. 2027 not stated | Tianjin: TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0, or a certificate of English instruction if your highest degree was taught in English. Central South: IELTS 6 or TOEFL 85, exempt if the degree was in English |
| Provincial Government Scholarships | Varies by province. Hunan: tuition, accommodation, insurance and CNY 3,000 (master’s) or 3,500 (doctoral) a month | Hunan 2026 closed 20 May 2026; other provinces vary | English-taught: IELTS 6 or TOEFL 85. Exempt if English is the first language or the degree was taught in English |
| Beijing Government Scholarship | Categories A to C. A covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses and insurance; B tuition, accommodation and insurance; C tuition and insurance. No amounts stated | Each institution sets deadlines | Category A: TOEFL 85 or IELTS 6.5, or “other equivalent proof of English proficiency” |
| Shanghai Government Scholarship | Type A: tuition, dormitory, CNY 2,500 / 3,000 / 3,500 a month, insurance. Type B: tuition and insurance | 2026 intake: 1 Dec 2025 to 30 Apr 2026. Next not stated | Not stated on the host-university page; see the degree programme page |
| Peking University | Master’s and doctoral. CSC, PKU and Beijing Government scholarships, each a full or partial tuition waiver; no amounts stated | 2026 intake: PKU to 9 Mar 2026, CSC to 17 Mar 2026 | English-taught programmes: non-native speakers submit TOEFL iBT 100 or above, GRE 315 or above, or other certificates, by programme |
Hungary
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Bachelor’s to doctoral. 2026/27: tuition exempt, HUF 43,700 a month, a dorm place or HUF 40,000 housing contribution, health care | 2026/27 call closed 15 Jan 2026; 2027/28 dates not found | Proof of at least the minimum level set by the host institution, or a document showing previous study in that language. The host university decides |
| Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship | Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship. Amounts not stated on the pages we read | 2026 cycle: applications by 2 Feb 2026; results June; arrival September. Next not stated | Depends on the host university. English mother-tongue applicants upload a school transcript or certificate |
| University of Debrecen | UD International Scholarship: tuition discount up to 90% (up to 30% for medicine and dentistry) plus medical insurance; no stipend stated | Opened 16 Jan 2026; no deadline until seats fill; 2027 dates not stated | B2 certificate from a proctored exam. Exempt with English as a first language or prior education in English, proved by a medium-of-instruction certificate |
Finland
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Helsinki | Master’s. 50% or 100% tuition fee waivers, very few and mostly 50%. Living costs not covered | Application period 5 to 19 Jan 2027 for autumn 2027 | Tests (IELTS 6.5, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, YKI) or an English-medium degree from listed countries |
| Aalto University | Bachelor’s and master’s. 100% tuition fee waiver for the degree’s target time | Master’s supporting documents due 12 Jan 2027, 15:00 (UTC+2) | Tests, or an English-medium degree from listed countries where you live (at least half the degree in English) |
| Tampere University | Bachelor’s and master’s. 50% tuition fee scholarship for the programme (nine awarded for 2026 admission) | Deadline 7 Jan 2027 | Tests (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Cambridge, YKI) or previous studies in listed countries, with the language stated on the certificate or transcript |
| LUT University | Master’s. Early-bird €5,000 off the first-year fee (€15,000 a year); €5,000 scholarship in year two after 60 ECTS | Rolling admission 1 Oct 2026 to 31 Mar 2027 | Tests, or an English-taught degree from EU/EEA, AU, CA, NZ, CH, UK or US. LUT says statements of English as the language of instruction are not accepted |
| University of Oulu | Master’s and bachelor’s. Early-bird discounts and partial tuition-fee waivers from year two; master’s amounts not captured | Application 7 to 21 Jan 2027 | Tests, or an English-medium degree from accepted countries. Online or offshore degrees are not accepted |
Finland’s universities set English rules themselves.
Netherlands
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland Scholarship | Bachelor’s or master’s for non-EEA nationals. €5,000 once, in the first year. Not a full-tuition award | 2026-27 round opened 1 Nov 2025; closing date set by each institution; 2027-28 not stated | Not stated; you must meet the institution’s requirements |
| Leiden University Excellence (LExS) | Full-time master’s starting in September. €10,000 to €19,000 off tuition in five levels. Not a full scholarship | Deadline 1 Dec 2026; notification before the end of March | Scholarship page silent. A programme page we read: IELTS 6.5, or an exemption for study in listed English-speaking countries or an English-taught Dutch degree |
| TU Delft Excellence | Master’s. Van Effen Excellence Scholarship: 16 full scholarships (first-year tuition plus a living-expenses contribution; the second year needs 48 of 60 ECTS) | Deadline 1 Dec 2026, 23:59 CET; results by end of March 2027 | Test unless exempt. Exempt only with a national or bachelor’s degree from AU, CA, IE, NZ, UK or US. Delft says you are not exempt even if your programme was taught in English |
Sweden
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karolinska Institutet | Master’s. Covers tuition fees only; amount not in the text we retrieved | Application 8 to 24 Feb 2027; results 26 Apr 2027 | Not mentioned on the page |
| Lund University Global Scholarship | Master’s. Part or all of tuition fees, depending on the programme or faculty budget. Living costs not included | Usually opens in early February; the 2026 round closed 16 Feb 2026 | Not stated beyond meeting Lund’s general admission requirements |
| Uppsala University IPK | Master’s. Full tuition for an international master’s programme; about 2% of applicants receive one. Living costs not covered | Autumn 2027 start: 16 Jan to 1 Feb 2027 | Not stated beyond meeting programme entry requirements |
Türkiye
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye Bursları | Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD. Stipend 6,500 / 9,500 / 13,000 TL a month, plus tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a flight and a one-year Turkish course | Applications run 10 January to 20 February each year. Closed now; next expected January to February 2027 | International language tests only if the programme requires them |
| Bilkent University | Full or 50% tuition waiver. Undergraduate award based on school grades or exam scores | 2026-27 international undergraduate applications ran 2 Feb to 12 Jul 2026 | Proof of English proficiency, or Bilkent’s preparatory programme. Prep exemption with IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 87 |
| Sabanci University | Undergraduate merit tuition waivers (75% or 100% brackets); the dorm scholarship covers accommodation only | Graduate Spring 2027: some programmes until 27 Nov or 11 Dec 2026 | Graduate: TOEFL iBT, PTE, Cambridge, e-TEP or Sabanci’s own exam. The undergraduate page says IELTS is not accepted |
New Zealand
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ International Scholarships (MFAT) | Undergraduate and postgraduate for eligible countries. “Full tertiary scholarships”; amounts not itemised on the pages we read | Country-specific. The Samoa intake closed 4 Sep 2026 | Shortlisted candidates need a test: postgraduate IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 58 or Cambridge 176. MOI not mentioned |
| University of Auckland International | Several separate awards, mostly partial: for example undergraduate up to NZ$20,000 in tuition, international business masters up to NZ$24,000 | University-wide master’s round cut-off 20 Oct 2026 has passed; next not stated | Not stated on scholarship pages; Auckland points to its entry requirements |
| Victoria University of Wellington | Bachelor’s first year: NZ$15,000 tuition credit. Master’s: NZ$10,000 tuition credit. Partial | Closing date follows your programme deadline (international T1 8 Dec, T2 1 May, T3 1 Sep; some postgraduate earlier) | No score on scholarship pages. Open to those completing Victoria’s English or foundation programmes |
Ireland
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gov of Ireland International Education | Master’s, postgraduate diploma or PhD (not undergraduate). €10,000 stipend for one year plus a full fee waiver | 2026 call closed 12 March 2026; 2027 call not announced on the page | Not stated on the HEA page; check the host institution |
| UCD Global Scholarships | All levels. 50% or 100% of tuition fees | No closing date stated; apply for your programme at least three weeks before its deadline | Tests, or for graduate applicants a degree taken through English or in an English-speaking country, confirmed with the school |
Multi-country and foundation programmes
| Programme | Level and what it funds | Dates (as of 27 Oct 2026) | English proof on the official pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student | Master’s or doctorate on US campuses. Funding support, J-1 sponsorship and a health benefit plan; amounts vary by country | Country-specific | Fluency required. Recommended TOEFL 550 (paper) or 79 to 80 (iBT), and IELTS 6.5 |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master | Master’s. €1,400 a month for the duration, covering travel, visa, installation and subsistence | Applications between October and January for the next academic year; dates are on each master’s website | No rule on the programme page; each consortium sets its own language policy |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars | Undergraduate and master’s at partner universities (not PhD). Tuition, accommodation, books and other academic materials | Each partner sets its own deadline | No general rule. North American universities require TOEFL and/or SAT scores; some African partners do not |
| Joint Japan / World Bank | Master’s in 44 participating programmes. Tuition, monthly living stipend, economy airfare, health insurance and a $600 travel allowance per trip | 2027 windows: 18 Jan to 26 Feb 2027 and 29 Mar to 21 May 2027 | No test score is needed to apply, but an admission letter conditional on English proof is not admissible |
| Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) | M.Sc. (citizens of the 20 member countries listed in the booklet) and PhD. Tuition, monthly stipend, air tickets and an installation allowance | Dates not stated on the pages we read | A good command of the language of study. No test named |
| Aga Khan Foundation | Postgraduate, mainly master’s. Covers tuition and living costs as half grant and half loan, need-based, guarantor required | The 2026-27 cycle has ended; the next opens in early 2027 | Not stated on the page |
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming “no IELTS” means “no English proof”. Almost every programme above still wants some proof.
- Sending an MOI letter where the university does not take one. York, LUT and Delft say so on their pages.
- Trusting an old date. Many windows have moved. Use the official page for your intake.
- Skipping the language rules for the course itself. Some programmes also expect German, Korean or Turkish study.
- Forgetting that the host university decides. Ask it, in writing, before you pay for a test or apply.
Related guides:
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a scholarship with no English test at all?
In a few cases. Italy’s government scholarship asks for no English proof for PhD and research awards, and the Joint Japan/World Bank programme asks for no test to apply. Most others still want a test or an exemption for earlier study in English.
Is an MOI certificate accepted?
It depends on the university. POSTECH, Korea University and Debrecen name a medium-of-instruction document. York, LUT and Delft say letters or statements are not enough.
Which is more widely accepted, TOEFL or Duolingo?
We found TOEFL named more often than Duolingo on official pages. Some universities accept Duolingo (for example UBC, York, UCD) and UiT says it does not. Check your university.
Do Chevening or Commonwealth scholarships belong here?
We did not check UK programmes for this update, so we make no claim about them.
Does Türkiye Bursları need IELTS?
Its official site asks for an international language test only if the university or programme requires one. All scholars without C1 Turkish take a one-year Turkish course.
How current is this page?
Dates are as of 27 October 2026, taken from official pages. Cycles change, so confirm each one.
How we researched this
Last checked: 27 October 2026. Every programme listed was checked against an official page: the awarding body or the university itself, never aggregators. Funding, dates and English rules are as those pages state them on 27 October 2026. Where a page was silent, the table says “not stated”.
Limits: programmes whose official pages we could not read or confirm are left out, and some pages give only the previous cycle. Fees, stipends and exemptions change each year. We did not check UK programmes. Our advice and templates are labelled as ours.
This page is for general information. LearnViaHub is not affiliated with any scholarship provider or university named on this page.
Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.