Top Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS for 2026: Complete Guide with Application Links

January 7, 2026 chidx obi Scholarship 0




Studying abroad without taking the IELTS exam is becoming increasingly possible. For the 2026 academic intake, many governments, universities, and international organizations are offering fully funded scholarships that do not require IELTS, making global education more accessible to talented students worldwide.

These scholarships often accept alternative proof of English proficiency, such as a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter, previous education in English, university interviews, or other recognized language tests. In some cases, English proficiency requirements are completely waived.

This comprehensive guide highlights the top fully funded scholarships without IELTS for 2026, including funding details, eligibility levels, and official application links.

🎓 What “No IELTS” Really Means

“No IELTS required” does not always mean no English proof at all. Instead, most programs accept alternative evidence of English proficiency, such as:

  • âś… Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from your previous school or university

  • âś… Proof that your previous degree was taught entirely in English

  • âś… Alternative tests (TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, PTE, Cambridge English)

  • âś… Interviews conducted by universities, embassies, or scholarship panels

đź“Ś Important: Always verify language requirements on the official scholarship or university website, as policies may differ by institution.

🌍 Top Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS for 2026

🇬🇧 1. Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)

  • Study Level: Master’s

  • Funding Covers:

    • Full tuition fees

    • Monthly living allowance

    • Return airfare

    • Visa and travel grants

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS is not required at the scholarship application stage

    • Universities may later accept MOI or alternative English proof

  • Why Apply?
    Chevening focuses on future leaders and change-makers with strong academic and professional backgrounds.

đź”— Apply here: https://www.chevening.org/apply/

🇹🇷 2. Türkiye Scholarships (Turkey)

  • Study Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

  • Funding Covers:

    • Full tuition

    • Monthly stipend

    • Free accommodation

    • Health insurance

    • One-year Turkish language course

    • Flight tickets

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS not required

    • MOI or interview accepted

  • Why Apply?
    A centralized and beginner-friendly application system covering hundreds of universities.

đź”— Apply here: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/

🇨🇳 3. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

  • Study Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

  • Funding Covers:

    • Tuition fees

    • On-campus accommodation

    • Monthly stipend

    • Medical insurance

    • (Some universities include airfare)

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS often not mandatory

    • MOI or university-issued English proficiency certificate accepted

  • Why Apply?
    One of the largest fully funded scholarship programs globally.

đź”— Apply here: https://www.campuschina.org/

🇯🇵 4. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

  • Study Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

  • Funding Covers:

    • Full tuition

    • Monthly stipend

    • Round-trip airfare

    • Medical insurance

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS not required

    • English proficiency assessed through embassy interviews or documents

  • Why Apply?
    Highly prestigious with embassy-track and university-track options.

đź”— Apply here: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-scholarships.html

🇩🇪 5. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

  • Study Level: Master’s, PhD

  • Funding Covers:

    • Monthly stipend (€934–€1,300 approx.)

    • Health insurance

    • Travel allowance

    • Study and research grants

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS often waived with MOI or university letter

  • Why Apply?
    Excellent for research, engineering, development, and STEM fields.

đź”— Apply here: https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/

🇪🇺 6. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)

  • Study Level: Master’s

  • Funding Covers:

    • Full tuition

    • Monthly living stipend

    • Travel and relocation allowance

  • IELTS Policy:

    • Not universally required

    • Many programs accept MOI or alternative tests

  • Why Apply?
    Study in 2–4 European countries under one program.

đź”— Apply here: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en

🇭🇺 7. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

  • Study Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

  • Funding Covers:

    • Tuition-free education

    • Monthly stipend

    • Free dormitory or housing allowance

    • Health insurance

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS not required

    • MOI or institutional certification accepted

đź”— Apply here: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/

🇨🇳 8. Schwarzman Scholars (China)

  • Study Level: Master’s (Global Affairs & Leadership)

  • Funding Covers:

    • Tuition

    • Accommodation and meals

    • Travel costs

    • Personal stipend

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS not required if prior education was in English

  • Why Apply?
    Often compared to the Rhodes Scholarship in prestige.

đź”— Apply here: https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/apply/

🇸🇬 9. Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)

  • Study Level: PhD

  • Funding Covers:

    • Full tuition

    • Monthly stipend

    • Airfare

    • One-time settling-in allowance

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS optional

    • MOI or university assessment accepted

đź”— Apply here: https://www.a-star.edu.sg/singa-scholarship

🇦🇿 10. Azerbaijan Government Scholarship

  • Study Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

  • Funding Covers:

    • Tuition fees

    • Monthly allowance

    • Accommodation

    • Medical insurance

    • Travel expenses

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS not required

đź”— Apply here: https://studyinazerbaijan.edu.az/

đź•Ś 11. Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship

  • Study Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, Postdoc

  • Funding Covers:

    • Tuition

    • Living allowance

    • Health insurance

    • Travel expenses

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS not mandatory

    • English proficiency certified by host university

đź”— Apply here: https://www.isdb.org/scholarships

🇨🇭 12. EPFL Excellence Fellowships (Switzerland)

  • Study Level: Master’s

  • Funding Covers:

    • CHF 10,000 per semester

    • Housing support

  • IELTS Policy:

    • IELTS waived with MOI or university acceptance

đź”— Apply here: https://www.epfl.ch/education/master/financial-aid/excellence-fellowships/

🇬🇧 13. Reach Oxford Scholarships (UK)

  • Study Level: Bachelor’s

  • Funding Covers:

    • Tuition fees

    • Living expenses

    • Return airfare

  • IELTS Policy:

    • Alternatives such as MOI or Duolingo accepted

đź”— Apply here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/oxford-support/reach-oxford-scholarship

📌 General Tips for “No IELTS” Scholarships

🧾 1. Secure Your MOI Letter Early

Ask your institution to clearly state that your entire degree was taught in English.

🎓 2. Check University-Specific Rules

A scholarship may waive IELTS, but individual universities might not.

🗓️ 3. Apply Early

Most 2026 scholarships open between August 2025 and January 2026.

đź“ť 4. Build a Strong Profile

Leadership, research, work experience, and a compelling motivation letter are crucial—especially for competitive programs.

đź“Ť Final Thoughts

Fully funded scholarships without IELTS are real, competitive, and achievable. With the right documents, early preparation, and strong applications, students can study abroad in Europe, Asia, and beyond without the burden of standardized English tests.