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No IELTS? No Problem: 5 Countries That Offer Scholarships Without English Tests

Feb 9, 2026 | 6 min read

The IELTS exam costs $250. For many students in East Africa, this fee is a massive barrier. But did you know that many fully funded scholarships do NOT require IELTS? They accept alternative proof of English or offer a language preparatory year. Here are the top 5 countries you can apply to today.

How to Bypass IELTS (The Secret)

Before we list the countries, you need to know about the “Medium of Instruction Certificate.”

If your high school or university taught you in English, go to your school administration and ask for a letter stating: “The medium of instruction for this student was English.” Many universities accept this instead of IELTS.

Diverse group of students smiling on campus

1. China (CSC Scholarship)

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is massive. They offer thousands of spots every year.

🇨🇳 Why Apply?

No IELTS Required: Most universities accept the English Proficiency Letter from your school.
Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipend.
Deadline: Usually January to March.

2. Turkey (Türkiye Burslari)

As we discussed in our previous guide, Turkey is a favorite for Somali students.

🇹🇷 Why Apply?

Language Year: Even if your program is in English, they give you a free year to learn Turkish.
No IELTS: It is not mandatory for undergraduate applications (though some PhD programs might ask for it).

3. Hungary (Stipendium Hungaricum)

This is one of the easiest scholarships to get into for East Africans.

🇭🇺 Why Apply?

Acceptance Rate: Very high compared to Western Europe.
English Requirement: They accept the Medium of Instruction Certificate from your local university.

4. Russia (Russian Government Scholarship)

Russia offers “Open Doors” scholarships. You don’t need English because you will study in Russian.

🇷🇺 Why Apply?

Preparatory Faculty: They pay for you to learn the Russian language for one full year before your degree starts.
Focus: Great for Engineering and Medicine.

5. Romania (MFA Scholarship)

A hidden gem in Europe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers scholarships to non-EU citizens.

🇷🇴 Why Apply?

Zero Fees: No application fee.
Language: Includes a preparatory year for Romanian language.

Comparison Summary

Country	IELTS Needed?	Alternative
China	No	English Certificate
Turkey	No	Language Year
Hungary	No	English Certificate
Russia	No	Russian Prep Year

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