Do I need to give IELTS if I have a medium of instruction certificate from my college stating English as the medium, or can I skip IELTS?
It depends entirely on the university, course, and country. Many institutions in Germany, Italy, Poland, and Hungary widely accept a Medium of Instruction certificate in place of IELTS. However, strict visa authorities such as UKVI, and many top-tier institutions, often still require a standardized test regardless of your MOI letter.
Your Medium of Instruction certificate can genuinely replace IELTS at many universities, but it is not a universal skip. Whether it works for you depends on the specific university's policy, your course, and the country's visa rules layered on top.
Where an MOI Certificate Is Typically Accepted or Not
| Region | MOI Acceptance |
|---|---|
| Germany, Italy, Poland, Hungary | Widely accepted for English-taught programs |
| UK and Australia | Accepted by several universities, often with conditions like recency of degree |
| Malaysia, China | Frequently accepted |
| Top-tier/Ivy League institutions, select Russell Group universities | Often mandatory standardized testing regardless of MOI |
Steps to Confirm Your Own Case
- Check the specific admissions page of your target university for phrases like "waivers for graduates of English-medium institutions"
- Remember that visa authorities, such as UKVI for a UK Student Visa, may require a secure English test even when the university itself waives it
- Email admissions directly with a draft of your MOI certificate and ask plainly whether it exempts you
- Be ready for an alternative such as an internal online interview or university-administered English assessment
My Advice
Do not rely on your MOI certificate alone for a UK or Canada application, since visa-level rules can override a university waiver. Send your MOI draft to admissions now and get their answer in writing before you decide to skip IELTS prep entirely.
Can you skip IELTS with your MOI or 12th English marks?
Check your waiver options free with an admissions expert.
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