Many international students dream of studying in Europe, but the IELTS requirement can sometimes be a barrier. The good news is that several European universities and countries allow students to apply without IELTS. Instead, they offer alternative ways to prove your English proficiency or even waive it completely.
This guide will explain how you can study in Europe without IELTS on fully funded scholarships, which countries offer this opportunity, and what alternatives you can use instead.
Why Do Some European Universities Waive IELTS?
Not all universities in Europe demand IELTS. They understand that students come from different educational backgrounds and may already have strong English skills.
Several universities are open to alternative methods of proving your English skills. Instead of requiring IELTS, they may accept:
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A certificate or letter from your former school confirming that your studies were conducted in English
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Participation in an interview or a language assessment test organized by the university
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Evidence that you previously studied in a country where English is the main language
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Results from other recognized English proficiency exams, such as Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or PTE
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European Countries Where You Can Study Without IELTS
Here are some countries in Europe where students can study without IELTS:
1. Germany
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A large number of public universities in Germany waive the IELTS requirement for students who have completed their earlier education in English. Instead, applicants are often required to provide a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate as proof of language proficiency.
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Some universities conduct interviews or their own tests to assess language skills.
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Tuition is free at most public universities.
2. France
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Several French universities offer English-taught programs and accept alternatives to IELTS.
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A language proficiency letter from your previous institution may be enough.
3. Italy
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Italian universities like the University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, and others accept students without IELTS.
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MOI or other language certificates are usually accepted.
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Italy also offers many fully funded scholarships for international students.
4. Spain
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Numerous universities in Spain provide English-taught programs and may not insist on an IELTS score. Applicants can often submit a certificate confirming that their previous education was conducted in English as an alternative.
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Spain offers government and university scholarships to help with tuition and living costs.
5. Poland
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Polish universities such as Jagiellonian University and Warsaw University of Technology often do not require IELTS.
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MOI and interviews are commonly used as alternatives.
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Poland is one of the most affordable European countries to study in.
6. Norway
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Norway offers free education to international students at public universities.
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While many programs are in English, universities may accept MOI or conduct interviews instead of asking for IELTS.
7. Sweden
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Sweden is home to many world-class universities with English-taught courses.
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Some universities waive IELTS if you have previously studied in English or are from an English-speaking country.
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Scholarships such as the Swedish Institute Scholarship are available.
8. Hungary
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The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship offers full financial support to international students pursuing higher education in Hungary, covering tuition, living expenses, and more.
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Top Universities in Europe That May Not Require IELTS
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University of Siegen, Germany
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University of Pisa, Italy
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University of Granada, Spain
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University of Warsaw, Poland
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University of Bergen, Norway
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Lund University, Sweden
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Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary
Many European countries offer international students a chance to pursue higher education without the need for IELTS, especially if they have previously studied in English. Even better, several of these countries offer fully funded or partially funded scholarships to help cover tuition, living costs, and travel. Below is a country-wise breakdown of major scholarships available in Europe that you can apply for without IELTS, along with brief descriptions of each.
Germany
Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students, offering free or low-cost education. Many universities waive the IELTS requirement if you provide a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your previous institution.
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DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme:
Aimed at aspiring leaders in fields such as politics, public administration, and law, this prestigious German scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides a monthly allowance of approximately €931, and includes health insurance and travel expenses. Applications for the 2025 cycle are expected to close by July 31, 2025.
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Deutschlandstipendium
This merit-based scholarship supports high-achieving students in Germany by offering €300 per month for a duration of one year, with the possibility of renewal. It is co-funded by the German government and private sponsors and is awarded through participating universities. -
Political Foundation Scholarships (e.g., Heinrich Böll, Konrad Adenauer): These scholarships support Master’s and PhD students and include monthly stipends, tuition, and additional allowances.
France
France offers several English-taught programs, and many universities accept MOI or conduct interviews instead of requiring IELTS. The country also provides attractive scholarships for international students.
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Eiffel Excellence Scholarship: Offered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, this prestigious award provides a monthly stipend (€1,181 for Master’s and €1,700+ for PhD), health insurance, and airfare. Applications are usually due between October and January.
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Paris-Saclay University Scholarship: This Master’s scholarship offers a €10,000 stipend per year and a €1,000 travel grant. It typically opens between November and March.
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Emile Boutmy Scholarship (Sciences Po) and others like ENS International Selection also offer excellent funding and often waive IELTS.
Italy
Italy is home to some of Europe’s oldest and most respected universities. Many of them accept English-medium education certificates in place of IELTS.
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Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT): This scholarship supports Master’s students in selected fields with a €9,000 stipend, tuition waiver, and internship opportunities. The application window usually opens in January and closes by the end of March.
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MAECI Scholarships: Funded by the Italian government, these scholarships offer €9,000 annually, tuition waivers, and medical insurance.
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Universities like the University of Bologna and Sapienza University offer their own scholarships such as UniBo Action 2, which includes full tuition and a yearly allowance.
Spain
Spanish universities offer increasing numbers of English-taught programs, and IELTS is not always a strict requirement.
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La Caixa Foundation Fellowships: These scholarships are for graduate studies in Spain or abroad and cover full tuition, a living stipend, and travel costs. Applications usually open in October and close in February.
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Fundación Carolina Scholarships: These are aimed at Latin American students, but some are open globally. They cover tuition, stipends, health insurance, and return flights.
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Erasmus+ grants are also widely available for students enrolled in joint Master’s or mobility programs hosted in Spain.
Poland
Poland is becoming a popular destination due to its low tuition and living costs. Many universities accept MOI certificates instead of IELTS.
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NAWA Banach Scholarship: Aimed at students from developing countries, this scholarship provides a monthly stipend (PLN 2,500), free tuition, and a preparatory year. Deadlines usually fall around June.
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Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship: Similar in scope, this program includes tuition, monthly support, and sometimes even travel costs.
Norway
Public universities in Norway do not charge tuition, and some offer scholarships even without requiring IELTS if students can prove English proficiency.
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BI Presidential Scholarship: Offered by BI Norwegian Business School, this scholarship covers full tuition and provides NOK 50,000 per semester for living expenses. The deadline is typically March.
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Public universities like UiT, NTNU, and NMBU also offer departmental scholarships and tuition waivers, especially at the graduate level.
Sweden
Sweden has many English-taught programs and accepts alternatives to IELTS, especially for students with prior English-medium education.
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Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP): This fully funded Master’s scholarship covers tuition, living expenses (SEK 12,000/month), and travel. Applications typically open in February.
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Universities like Lund, Uppsala, and KTH offer their own scholarships that often include full tuition and some living allowance.
Hungary
Hungary offers generous scholarships for international students and accepts MOI or internal language assessments instead of IELTS.
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Stipendium Hungaricum: One of the most popular scholarships in Europe, this program covers full tuition, a monthly stipend (HUF 43,700–180,000 depending on degree level), accommodation allowance, and insurance. The next deadline is expected by January 15, 2026.
Studying in Europe without IELTS is not only possible but also well-supported through various scholarships. Many universities across Europe recognize that IELTS is not the only way to prove English proficiency. If you have studied in English before or can provide alternative documentation, you can still qualify for admission and even receive full funding.
Make sure to start preparing early, especially for scholarships that have strict deadlines. A strong academic background, a good motivation letter, and proof of English-medium education can help you secure a place at top universities in Europe without IELTS.
