Scholarships without IELTS for Pakistani students and study visas

Yes, some scholarships open to Pakistani students do not ask for IELTS, but very few ask for no English proof at all. As of 15 October 2026, the Commonwealth and Chevening scholarships set no test of their own, Turkish, Korean and Japanese government awards use other routes, and some Erasmus Mundus programmes accept an English medium letter or Duolingo. Your university and your study visa may still ask.

Which scholarships can Pakistani students get without IELTS?

We list only scholarships and programmes whose official pages, checked on 15 October 2026, accept something other than IELTS from Pakistani applicants.

"Without IELTS" here means one of three things: the scholarship sets no test of its own, it uses its own exam, or it accepts a different test or an English medium letter. None of them means your English will never be checked.

Do UK scholarships need IELTS for a study visa?

Commonwealth Scholarships. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission says it does not require any candidate to take IELTS. For Pakistani applicants, HEC is the nominating agency. Its call for 2027 names one test, the HEC Aptitude Test (HAT), with at least 60 out of 100 in HAT categories I to IV. HEC and Commission applications both close on 20 October 2026, so act this week if you qualify. Our list of fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students covers the other eligibility rules.

The catch comes at the university stage. The Commission's own visa guidance says that, unless you fall under an exception, you must show a certain level of English before the university will issue your CAS. Universities choose how to assess it, so ask your university which test or evidence it will accept.

Chevening. Chevening's FAQ says its English language requirement was removed in 2020. You still need an unconditional offer from one of your three course choices by the deadline, so the university's requirement becomes your requirement. Applications for 2027/28 have closed, and Chevening says to watch its channels for the next round.

Which government scholarships use their own language route?

Türkiye Scholarships. The official application page lists "international language test results such as TOEFL, DELF" only "if required by the chosen university or program". Many programmes in Türkiye are taught in Turkish. Students placed in English programmes must provide an accepted certificate. Every scholar without a C1 Turkish certificate, including those in English programmes, attends a one year Turkish course. The general window is 10 January to 20 February, with interviews from April to June.

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). In the 2026 graduate guidelines attached to the Korean Embassy in Pakistan's notice of 2 February 2026, a TOPIK or English test score report was an optional document. A TOPIK score earned extra points, and high TOEFL or IELTS scores were listed as an evaluation preference. Scholars normally study Korean for a year first. Pakistan had 8 Embassy track places, and that window closed on 25 February 2026. Check the Embassy for the 2027 notice, and check each university's own rules.

MEXT (Japan). The Embassy of Japan in Pakistan's document list for the 2027 Research Scholarship includes no IELTS or TOEFL. Only shortlisted candidates are called for the Embassy's test and interview. Applications for 2027 closed on 26 May 2026, so plan for the next round.

Fulbright (USA). USEFP's FAQ says TOEFL is not mandatory with the application, and only selected candidates take it. You must take the GRE before applying. The 2027 competition closed on 1 April 2026.

Which Erasmus Mundus programmes accept an MOI letter or Duolingo?

Erasmus Mundus scholarships are awarded by each programme, so the English rule is the programme's rule. Two examples, checked on 15 October 2026:

• i-MESC (materials for energy storage and conversion) gives three routes. Native English speakers sign a declaration. Applicants who studied in English may provide "a certificate from their university of origin stating that the medium of instruction was English". Everyone else needs IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 87, Cambridge B2 First or a CEFR B2 certificate. It does not accept Duolingo. Applications for the 2027 to 2029 intake were not yet open.
• Mundus MAPP (public policy) is the opposite case. Pakistan is not on its waiver list, so an English medium degree from Pakistan does not exempt you. It does accept Duolingo 130, TOEFL iBT 95, PTE Academic 76, IELTS 7 or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Apply by 1 December 2026 to be considered for financial aid.

These two show why you must read each programme's page. Our guide to the Erasmus Mundus scholarship for Pakistani students explains how selection and the stipend work.

Which big scholarships still need a test?

Most of them, in one form or another. Be wary of any list that calls DAAD or Fulbright a "no IELTS" scholarship without explaining the conditions.

• DAAD EPOS. DAAD's scholarship database lists IELTS or TOEFL as proof of English, and says the institutional TOEFL is not accepted. It also says language proof follows the rules of each course. Heidelberg's MSc International Health, an EPOS course, accepts an official letter that English was the language of instruction for admission. Its DAAD EPOS application window ends on 15 October 2026. Ask any EPOS course in writing whether a letter is enough for the scholarship file too.
• Fulbright. No TOEFL to apply, but selected candidates must take it, and the GRE is compulsory.
• University scholarships in the UK. Many depend on meeting the university's English rule, and several UK universities accept English medium letters only from named Pakistani universities.

If you will need a test anyway, our English test preparation classes cover IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Duolingo.

Will your study visa still need proof of English?

Often, yes. A scholarship that waives IELTS does not waive the visa rules:

• UK. At degree level, many universities assess your English themselves and state the method on your CAS. The Home Office's sponsor guidance says that if UKVI interviews you and you cannot show the required English without an interpreter, it will refuse your application.
• Australia. Most Pakistani students need an approved test score for the Student visa itself.
• USA, Canada and Germany. The visa follows what your university accepted, but your interview or later work permit may still test your English.

Our guide to the study visa without IELTS sets out each country's rule in detail.

Not sure where you stand?

If you have an English medium degree but no test score, send your degree, CGPA, English marks, budget and target country to a Via Nova counsellor on WhatsApp at +92 316 4448062. You will get an honest answer about which of these scholarships fit your profile, whether you still need a test, and what to prepare first, through our study visa service. Our counsellors work from Lake City Meadows (Ex State Life), next to DHA Phase 5, Lahore, and also online. Scholarship and visa decisions rest with the awarding bodies and embassies.