Is a medium of instruction (MOI) letter from my university required in Australia/Italy for a Master's?
Neither Australia nor Italy universally mandates a Medium of Instruction letter, but both accept it as a substitute for IELTS or TOEFL when your transcript does not already confirm English-taught study. Italy is stricter, sometimes requiring a specific percentage of your degree to have been taught in English.
Whether you need an MOI letter depends entirely on how your university documents its teaching language, and on which route you take to prove your English proficiency. Neither Australia nor Italy demands one from every applicant, but both will ask for one in specific situations.
MOI Requirements by Country
| Country | Is It Required? | When You Will Need One |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not automatically | If your transcript does not state your Bachelor's was taught in English, the university asks your registrar for an MOI letter to waive IELTS/TOEFL |
| Italy | Not unless bypassing a language test | For English-taught Master's, you need either an international certificate or an MOI letter, sometimes stating 75 to 100 percent of teaching was in English |
How to Handle This in Your Application
- Check your own transcript first: many already state the medium of instruction, avoiding the need for a separate letter.
- Request an MOI letter from your university's registrar early in your application cycle, since it is safe to have on hand even if not asked for.
- Always check the specific university's English Language Requirements page, since some competitive programs demand a standardized test regardless of your MOI letter.
My Advice
Email your registrar this week for an official MOI letter on letterhead, even before you shortlist your final universities, so you are not scrambling for it during a tight application deadline in Australia or Italy.
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