Scholarships Without IELTS 2026–2027 – Fully Funded Options

Updated for 2026 — here’s everything you need to know about securing a fully funded scholarship abroad without taking the IELTS exam.

For many international students, the IELTS exam is a genuine obstacle. It costs around $200to$250, test centres can be scarce, and the pressure to hit a high band score often undermines an otherwise strong application. However, more and more governments and leading universities now waive IELTS entirely. Instead, they happily accept a straightforward alternative: a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your previous school, confirming your degree was taught fully in English. In fact, according to official guidance from the Chinese Scholarship Council, an English proficiency certificate is completely acceptable, and IELTS is not mandatory. Therefore, let’s walk through the biggest fully funded scholarships that follow this flexible approach for the 2026–2027 academic year.

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Key Facts at a Glance

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1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2026

The Chinese Government Scholarship is one of the most generous programmes in the world. Specifically, it offers full tuition fees, free on‑campus accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly living allowance that ranges from 2,500 CNY for bachelor’s students to 3,500 CNY for PhD candidates. Instead of an IELTS score, you simply use a Medium of Instruction certificate from your previous degree. Also, according to the CSC portal, English proficiency can be proven this way without any further language test. The application period generally runs from 15 December 2025 to 30 April 2026. However, be aware that individual universities set their own earlier deadlines. Consequently, you must check your chosen university’s website carefully. Finally, you can submit your documents through the CSC Online Application System.

2. Türkiye Bursları 2026

Türkiye Bursları stands out because it covers nearly every expense. To illustrate, the package includes full tuition, a monthly stipend (from 4,500 TL for undergraduates to 9,000 TL for PhD students), free accommodation, health insurance, a one‑year Turkish language course, and round‑trip airfare. Even better, IELTS is not required for most fields. Instead, the scholarship committee assesses your English during a short online interview. Additionally, the application window is strictly 10 January to 20 February 2026. Therefore, you must submit everything electronically on the official Türkiye Bursları website.

3. DAAD EPOS Scholarship (Germany) 2026

For students from developing countries, DAAD EPOS is a remarkable opportunity. In particular, it provides a monthly stipend of €1,400, health and travel insurance, and a travel allowance. Meanwhile, tuition fees are already free at German public universities. However, while some DAAD courses still ask for IELTS, the EPOS stream widely accepts an MOI certificate. Furthermore, deadlines for EPOS programmes fall between September and November 2025 if you plan to start in October 2026. As a result, it’s essential to search for your specific course early on the DAAD scholarship database.

4. MEXT Scholarship (Japan) 2026

The Japanese Government’s MEXT Scholarship is fully funded, covering tuition, a monthly allowance (¥117,000–¥145,000), round‑trip airfare, and accommodation support. Additionally, for many MEXT categories, IELTS is not compulsory. In fact, a letter from your university confirming your English proficiency is usually enough. The main embassy‑recommended track accepts applications between April and June 2026. However, the exact dates depend on your local Japanese embassy. Therefore, you should visit the MEXT website and then check with your nearest embassy.

5. Romanian Government Scholarship 2026

Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers a fully funded scholarship for non‑EU students. Specifically, it covers full tuition, a monthly stipend (65 EUR for undergraduates, 75 EUR for master’s and PhD), accommodation assistance, and medical insurance. Moreover, there is no IELTS requirement and no application fee. Similarly, the deadline for the 2026–2027 academic year is 31 March 2026. Consequently, you should submit your application directly through the Study in Romania portal.

6. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary) 2026

The Hungarian Government’s flagship scholarship, Stipendium Hungaricum, is another route that often replaces IELTS with an MOI certificate. For instance, winners receive full tuition, a monthly stipend of around 43,700 HUF for bachelor’s and master’s students, and free accommodation or a contribution to housing costs, plus medical insurance. Also, applications for 2026/2027 open from 15 January to 15 February 2026. As a result, you can complete the entire process online via the Stipendium Hungaricum portal. Furthermore, we have an in‑depth guide on the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2026 that breaks down every step.

7. Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship 2026

The Brunei Darussalam Scholarship is a lesser‑known but excellent option. In particular, it includes full tuition, a monthly personal allowance, accommodation, and return airfare. According to official sources, applicants from non‑English speaking countries can submit evidence of English proficiency from their previous institution instead of IELTS. However, the exact deadline for February 2026 is yet to be confirmed. Therefore, keep an eye on the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs page. Meanwhile, you can read about similar fully funded opportunities in our Schwarzman Scholarship 2026 guide.

8. KAUST Scholarship (Saudi Arabia) 2026

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) offers a fully funded scholarship for graduate studies. To clarify, you get full tuition, a competitive living allowance (up to $30,000 annually), free housing, medical coverage, and relocation support. In addition, KAUST waives IELTS if your previous degree was taught in English, making this a prime destination for STEM students. Furthermore, the university operates on a rolling admission basis, but the priority deadline falls around January 2026. As a result, you should start your application at the KAUST admissions page and also check our Fulbright Scholarship 2026 overview for another outstanding US alternative.

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Comparison Table

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Similar Scholarships You Might Like

• Fulbright Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded Master’s & PhD in the USA

• Danish Government Scholarships 2026 – Study Without IELTS

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are these scholarships truly fully funded?
A: Yes. Every scholarship on this list covers full tuition, a living stipend, accommodation, and health insurance. In addition, several also include round‑trip airfare and free language courses.

Q: Who is eligible for scholarships without IELTS?
A: Most programmes are open to all international students. Essentially, you simply need to meet the academic and age requirements, and you must submit a Medium of Instruction certificate or similar proof of English proficiency.

Q: What is the deadline for the Chinese Government Scholarship 2026?
A: The central CSC window is 15 December 2025 to 30 April 2026. However, each university may close earlier. Therefore, always confirm the specific deadline with your chosen institution.

Q: How do I apply for Türkiye Bursları step by step?
A: First, create an account on the official portal. Then, upload your passport, transcripts, diplomas, and MOI certificate. Next, select your preferred programmes and submit before 20 February 2026. Afterwards, shortlisted applicants will attend an online interview.

Q: What does the DAAD EPOS scholarship cover in 2026/2027?
A: It covers a monthly stipend of €1,400, health, accident, and liability insurance, a travel allowance, and often a pre‑sessional German language course. Moreover, tuition at German public universities is free.

Q: Can I study in English if I get any of these scholarships?
A: Absolutely. All the listed programmes offer English‑taught degrees. In other words, you only need an alternative English credential, such as the Medium of Instruction certificate, instead of an IELTS score.