Europath Jobs

Tag: No IELTS

  • Scholarships Without IELTS: How to Prove Your English Another Way

    An IELTS test costs a lot of money for many African students. The good news: some scholarships and universities don’t require it, or accept other proof of English.

    Option 1: Scholarships that don’t ask for an English test

    Some scholarship providers don’t require any English test at application. For example, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship does not require IELTS. Note that your chosen university may still have its own English rules for admission.

    Option 2: A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter

    Many European universities accept an official letter from your university confirming that your degree was taught entirely in English. If you studied in an English-speaking system (for example in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda or South Sudan), ask your registrar for this letter. It usually needs:

    • Your full name and student number
    • Your degree title and years of study
    • A clear sentence that all teaching and exams were in English
    • Official letterhead, stamp and signature

    Option 3: Nationality or country exemptions

    Some universities exempt applicants from countries where English is an official language. Each university publishes its own list, so look for a page called “English language requirements” or “country-specific requirements”.

    Option 4: Cheaper or online tests

    Some universities accept alternatives such as TOEFL, Cambridge English exams, Pearson PTE or the online Duolingo English Test. Only take one of these if the university’s website lists it as accepted.

    How to ask for an English waiver

    1. Read the programme’s English requirements page carefully. The answer is often already there.
    2. If it isn’t clear, email the admissions office. Attach your MOI letter and transcript and ask politely whether it meets their requirement.
    3. Keep their written reply and include it with your application.

    Watch out

    • Visa rules can be different from university rules. Even if a university waives IELTS, an embassy may ask about your English in an interview.
    • Never buy a certificate. Fake IELTS or MOI letters are easy to check and can get you banned.

    Browse all opportunities tagged No IELTS.

  • Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 (UK): Fully Funded, No IELTS

    Quick facts

    HostCommonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK government
    CountryUnited Kingdom
    LevelOne-year taught master’s (MBAs not funded)
    FundingFully funded: tuition, flights, monthly stipend
    Deadline20 October 2026, 16:00 BST (CSC). Your nominating agency’s deadline may be earlier.
    English testNot required (no IELTS)
    Study startsSeptember 2027
    Official pagecscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/masters
    Last checked9 October 2026

    The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship pays for talented people from eligible Commonwealth countries to complete a one-year master’s degree at a UK university. It is one of the few fully funded UK scholarships that does not require an IELTS or other English test.

    Eligible African countries

    Botswana, Eswatini, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia. You must be a citizen of (or have refugee status in) one of these countries and live there permanently.

    What the scholarship covers

    • Full tuition fees
    • Return airfare between your home country and the UK
    • Monthly stipend of £1,712, or £2,000 at universities in the London area
    • Study travel grant
    • Child allowance for widowed, divorced or single-parent scholars (£622 per month for the first child, £154 for the second and third children under 16)

    Who can apply

    • A first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honours by September 2027, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
    • Available to start in September 2027
    • Unable to afford UK study without the scholarship
    • Not previously studied a master’s in the UK or held a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship

    How to apply, step by step

    1. Find your nominator. You cannot apply directly to the CSC. Apply through your country’s national nominating agency (usually a ministry of education or scholarship board) or an approved NGO. Check its own deadline first; it is often earlier than the CSC deadline.
    2. Choose three UK master’s courses in order of preference, and apply to the universities. The CSC will not go ahead if you don’t secure admission.
    3. Prepare your documents as PDFs: passport or national ID, full transcripts, and at least two signed references.
    4. Complete the application on CSC Central and upload everything before 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST. Missing documents make an application ineligible, and you can’t edit it after submitting.
    5. Wait for nomination and selection. Nominators must put candidates forward by December 2026.

    Tips to stand out

    • Show development impact. The CSC funds people who will make a difference at home. Link your course to a specific problem in your country and explain what you will do after you return.
    • Pick courses that fit your plan, not just famous universities. Explain why each of your three choices matches your goal.
    • Brief your referees early. Give them your CV and plan so their letters support the same story.
    • Submit days before the deadline. Late applications are not accepted, and portals slow down near closing time.

    Important rules

    Scholars must return home when the award ends and cannot switch to the UK Graduate visa. You need CSC approval before taking paid work or travelling abroad during the scholarship. Applying is free: never pay anyone who offers to “guarantee” this scholarship.

    FAQ

    Is South Sudan eligible? No. South Sudan is not on the eligible country list for this scholarship.

    Do I need an admission letter before applying? You should apply to your universities in advance. The CSC will not proceed with your scholarship if you don’t secure admission.

    Can I bring my family? The scholarship gives only limited family support (child allowance in some cases), so plan your finances carefully.

    Source: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, checked 9 October 2026. Always confirm the latest details on the official website before applying. EuroPath Jobs is an information directory and is not connected to the CSC.