Scholarships Without IELTS for African Students: 2026 Options

Reviewed 23 September 2026
“No IELTS” usually does not mean “no language requirement.” It can mean that a university or scholarship accepts another test, an English-medium-of-instruction letter, previous English-language qualifications, an interview, or study in another language. Requirements are programme-specific and can change by intake.

Quick Answer: Can African Students Get Scholarships Without IELTS?

Quick answer: Yes, some African students can apply to scholarships or universities without submitting IELTS, but “no IELTS” does not mean “no English-language requirement.” A programme may accept another recognised test, a medium-of-instruction letter, previous English-language qualifications or its own assessment. The exact rule must be checked for the scholarship and the university separately.

Scholarships Without IELTS: At a Glance

Question	Answer
Does “no IELTS” mean no language proof?	No
Can an MOI letter work?	Sometimes, depending on the institution or programme
Can another English test be accepted?	Often, but the accepted tests vary
Should scholarship and university rules be checked separately?	Yes
Guide reviewed	23 September 2026

AfricanBase Verified Answer: The safest way to assess a “no IELTS” opportunity is to verify both the scholarship’s language rule and the university’s admission requirement. A scholarship can omit IELTS while the degree programme still requires proof of English proficiency.

African students searching for scholarships without IELTS should separate two questions: Does the scholarship require IELTS? and Does the university require proof of language proficiency? A scholarship application may not ask for IELTS while the degree programme still has its own admission-language rules.

This guide therefore does not promise a fixed list of “10+ fully funded scholarships with no English test.” Instead, it explains the main routes for studying with an IELTS alternative and shows how to verify the current rule before applying.

What “No IELTS” Can Actually Mean

English-medium-of-instruction (MOI) evidence: the institution may accept an official letter confirming that your previous qualification was taught in English.
Another recognised test: TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English, Duolingo English Test or another assessment may be accepted instead.
Previous English qualification: some institutions accept particular secondary-school or university English results.
University assessment/interview: some programmes assess language ability themselves.
Non-English programme: IELTS may be irrelevant because the course requires German, French, Chinese, Japanese or another language.
Country/institution exemption: an institution may waive a test for applicants meeting its specific educational-background rules.

An MOI letter is not a universal IELTS waiver. Even if your Nigerian degree was taught in English, the receiving university must explicitly accept that evidence.

Scholarship Funding and Language Admission Are Separate

A scholarship provider can fund your studies without controlling the university’s language-admission policy. This is why statements such as “MEXT requires no IELTS,” “DAAD requires no IELTS,” or “Chinese Government Scholarships require no IELTS” can be misleading when presented without the programme and university context.

Before applying, check three layers where relevant: the scholarship’s rules, the university/department’s admission requirements and any visa/residence requirements.

Verified Example: Mauritius–Africa Scholarship Scheme 2026

The Government of Mauritius provides a useful example of an IELTS-alternative route. Its official Mauritius–Africa Scholarship Scheme 2026 undergraduate guidelines require English-language achievement or acceptable evidence of English proficiency, but they do not make IELTS the only route.

The published guidelines allow specified school-level English qualifications and also provide for other acceptable evidence of English proficiency under the scheme’s rules. This is the kind of opportunity that should be described as having alternative English-evidence routes, rather than simply “no English requirement.”

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education currently lists the Mauritius–Africa Scholarship Scheme for eligible Nigerian undergraduate and postgraduate students for the 2026 academic year. Applicants should use the current official call and Mauritius guidelines for the applicable level and intake.

Official Nigerian source: Federal Ministry of Education.

Chevening: No Chevening IELTS Requirement, but University Rules Still Apply

Chevening removed its own English-language requirement in 2020, so applicants do not submit an IELTS score simply to satisfy a separate Chevening language rule. However, applicants must still meet the English-language requirements of their chosen UK universities and secure the required unconditional offer. This is a clear example of why “scholarship without IELTS” and “university admission without English evidence” are not the same thing.

For the current Nigerian application cycle, see AfricanBase’s Chevening Scholarship Nigeria guide.

MEXT Scholarships: Check the Route and University

Japan’s MEXT scholarships have multiple categories and application routes. Language assessment can depend on the scholarship category, embassy/university process and intended programme. Do not assume that an English-medium certificate automatically replaces every test or assessment.

Applicants should use the current Embassy of Japan/MEXT or Study in Japan guidelines for their scholarship category and then check the host university’s programme requirements.

Türkiye Scholarships: IELTS Is Not the Whole Question

Türkiye Scholarships covers programmes taught in Turkish and other languages. Whether an applicant needs a particular language certificate depends on the programme and university requirements. Scholarship recipients who do not already have the required Turkish proficiency can also face Turkish-language preparation requirements.

Official programme: Türkiye Scholarships.

China Scholarships: Requirements Vary by University and Teaching Language

Chinese Government and university scholarships should not be described as universally IELTS-free. Chinese-taught programmes can require Chinese-language evidence such as HSK, while English-taught programmes can set their own English-proficiency requirements.

Some universities may accept previous English-medium study; others may require IELTS, TOEFL or another form of proof. Always check the specific university and programme.

For scholarship funding routes, see AfricanBase’s Fully Funded Scholarships in China guide.

DAAD Scholarships: There Is No Single IELTS Rule

DAAD administers many different scholarship programmes. The language certificate required depends on the selected scholarship, degree programme and language of instruction. Applicants should not treat DAAD as one universal “no IELTS scholarship.”

For an English-taught programme, check what the university accepts as English evidence. For a German-taught programme, German-language proficiency can be the relevant requirement instead.

Official starting point: DAAD Nigeria.

Canada: Do Not Assume English-Medium Study Automatically Gives a Waiver

Canadian universities set their own English-language admission policies. A Nigerian applicant’s previous education in English can be relevant at some institutions, but the accepted evidence and exemption rules vary.

For example, scholarship eligibility at a Canadian university and English-language admission eligibility are separate decisions. Being eligible for an entrance award does not itself waive the university’s language requirement.

Use AfricanBase’s Canada Scholarships for International Students pillar and University Canada West Scholarships guide for funding information, then verify language admission directly with the university.

United States: English Requirements Are Institution-Specific

U.S. universities can accept different forms of English-language evidence, but there is no nationwide rule saying African scholarship applicants can replace IELTS with an MOI letter. Check the admissions policy of the specific institution and programme.

Financial aid is also a separate issue. For example, need-based financial aid at a university should not be described as an “IELTS-free scholarship” unless the university’s current admissions policy supports the language claim.

How to Get a Medium-of-Instruction Letter

If a university explicitly accepts previous English-medium education, ask your former institution for an official letter. It should normally:

be on official institutional letterhead;
identify you and the qualification completed;
state clearly that the programme was taught and assessed in English, if accurate;
include the study period where appropriate;
be signed or authenticated by an authorised office such as the registrar; and
include institutional contact details so the document can be verified.

Do not obtain an MOI letter and assume it will be accepted everywhere. Confirm the receiving institution’s policy first.

How to Verify a Scholarship Before Applying Without IELTS

Open the current official scholarship call. Confirm nationality, degree level, funding and deadline.
Open the university programme page. Find the language-of-instruction and English-proficiency section.
Look for explicit alternatives. Check whether MOI, WAEC/NECO English, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo or another route is accepted.
Check minimum scores and validity periods. “IELTS alternative” does not mean “no standard.”
Check programme-specific rules. A university-wide waiver may have departmental exceptions.
Ask admissions in writing if unclear. Save the response with your application records.
Check the visa stage separately. Admission language evidence and immigration documentation are not necessarily the same.

Common “No IELTS” Mistakes

Assuming every African applicant qualifies for an English-test waiver.
Assuming English as Nigeria’s official language automatically waives a university’s test requirement.
Confusing a scholarship’s rules with the host university’s admission rules.
Assuming “no IELTS” means no TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, interview or language evidence.
Using a third-party article from an old intake instead of the current official call.
Calling a scholarship fully funded without checking the actual benefits.
Applying to a non-English programme without checking the required local-language proficiency.

How This Fits Your Scholarship Search

If your main concern is funding rather than the English test itself, start with AfricanBase’s Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students. If grades are also a concern, use the Low-CGPA Scholarships guide.

For application preparation, see How to Write a Scholarship Essay and Scholarship Recommendation Letters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can African students get scholarships without IELTS?

Yes, some scholarship/university routes do not require IELTS specifically. But applicants may still need another form of language evidence, and the accepted alternative depends on the programme.

Can Nigerian students use an MOI letter instead of IELTS?

Sometimes. A Medium-of-Instruction letter can work only where the receiving institution explicitly accepts previous English-medium education as evidence. Nigerian nationality or an English-taught degree does not create an automatic global waiver.

Does DAAD require IELTS?

There is no single DAAD-wide answer. DAAD scholarships and host programmes have different language requirements. Check the specific scholarship and university course.

Does the Chinese Government Scholarship require IELTS?

Requirements vary by programme and university. Chinese-taught programmes can require Chinese proficiency, while English-taught programmes set their own English-evidence rules.

Does “no IELTS” mean a scholarship is easier to win?

No. Removing one particular test does not remove academic, funding, admission or selection requirements. Competitive scholarships can remain highly selective.

Related AfricanBase Guides

Final Note

Search for IELTS alternatives, not simply “scholarships with no English requirement.” Verify the scholarship and university separately, confirm the accepted evidence for your exact programme and intake, and obtain the required language documentation before submitting your application.

Scholarships Without IELTS for African Students: 2026 Guide